The SABC's new 24-hour TV news channel, SABC News, launching at 18:00 on MultiChoice's DStv platform on channel 404 "is being established at the right time", says president Jacob Zuma who is speaking at the channel's launch event being held at the SABC's headquarters at Auckland Park, saying "we hope this channel will seize the opportunity to cover South Africa beyond crime and corruption".
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"This channel will only be available on the DStv platform initially," said Jacob Zuma who struggled to read his speech at the launch of the SABC's SABC News channel.
SABC News replaces the SABC's first attempt at a 24-hour TV news channel, SABC News International, which was canned.
Speaking at the launch, president Jacob Zuma said "this will ensure a test phase that will pair the SABC for its roll out nationally of digital television. It is important that this 24 hour seven days a week channel provides success to news and information that is within easy reach of most citizens."
"I hope it will indeed be news," said Jacob Zuma. "Real news and education material and proper entertainment. you know what I mean. Ha Ha. I'm not going to say anything."
The SABC News channel will start with a two hour news show.
President Jacob Zuma will be interviewed from the news studios, following his speech this afternoon. The channel will also be covering the Zimbabwe elections.
The SABC 24-hour news channel will cross over to various South African provinces this evening and also interview Lulama Mokhobo, the SABC CEO, as well as an interview with Pravin Gordhan, the minister of finance.
Other inserts include a look at the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as well as an interview with Lesotho's prime minister Thomas Thabane, and a planned live crossing to Kenya for East African news.
