Staff Reporter.
Communications minister Solly Malatsi has withdrawn the controversial SABC Bill, arguing that it does not adequately address the public broadcaster’s funding model.
The bill had been tabled in parliament by former communications minister Mondli Gungubele, who now serves as deputy minister under Malatsi.
Sunday Times reports that Malatsi wrote to Parliament speaker Thoko Didiza this past week, telling the legislature that he was withdrawing the “totally flawed” bill.
He said he had invoked his discretionary powers as minister to cancel the bill after wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders and reviewing public submissions to Parliament’s communications portfolio committee.
Malatsi believes the bill had no credible funding model, a view shared by several broadcasting experts, former SABC executives, and media watchdogs such as Media Monitoring Africa and the SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition.
“This approach does not meet the urgency required to stabilise the broadcaster and risks perpetuating an outdated licensing structure that will not provide the SABC with the necessary resources to fulfil its mandate,” Malatsi said.
Among the bill’s proposals was that the communications minister develop a new sustainable framework for funding the broadcaster within three years of the bill’s adoption.
The portfolio committee considered potential amendments based on industry feedback after the draft legislation was first published, but Malatsi contends it is not reworkable.
“I believe that trying to amend the bill is not right,” Malatsi said. “Instead, the urgent development and implementation of a sustainable financial model will be prioritised.”
Malatsi’s move will be welcomed by civil society bodies, including Media Monitoring Africa and the SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition, which have called on the bill in its current form to be scrapped.
The SABC has reported repeated annual financial losses over the past decade as it struggles to compete with viewers’ shift from traditional linear TV broadcasting to streaming services.
In its 2024 financial year, it posted a roughly R200 million loss, which came on the back of a R1.13-billion loss in the previous year.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.