South Africa's SOS Coalition demands moratorium on country's analogue TV switch-off date of 31 December 2024 as millions of TV households face blank screens.

by Thinus Ferreira

With millions of TV viewers set to lose basic access to television channels like the SABC at the end of the year, the SOS Coalition demands that the South African government immediately stops it plan to flip the kill-switch on 31 December on the last of the country's analogue TV transmitters.

Millions of South African TV viewers still rely on analogue TV signals to receive and watch the SABC and other broadcasters like e.tv's TV channels.

South Africa's government and the department of communications botched the country's long-delayed digital migration plan and switch-over from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT). 

Delayed more than 15 years and marred by corruption, industry in-fighting, multiple dragged-out court cases, fights over everything ranging from formats and set-top boxes (STBs) to encryption control, as well as tender scandals, undue commercial influence, government incompetence and budget run-overs, the government is adamant to switch-off the last of parastatal sign-distributor Sentech's analogue transmission towers.

While outdated, subsidised STBs for the poor that cost millions to manufacture and procure are gathering dust, unclaimed in locked South African Post offices countrywide and while those that were handed out already broke down, the South African government will cut off millions of indigent households from the signals of the SABC and others on the last day of this year.

While the SABC already took a massive viewership knock over the past three years as millions of its viewers were wiped off the country's TV ratings system after viewers lost the ability of receive public broadcasting television signals, eMedia's e.tv remained mostly unscathed as it refused the switch-off of its analogue signals.

eMedia isn't against the DTT switch-over but told the government that it can't switch off its analogue e.tv TV signals if millions of viewers don't have the ability to watch or receive DTT. 

Although the government-run process is severely flawed and already more than a decade behind schedule, eMedia over the past two years cautioned the government that even more time is needed and that DTT has actually become an outdated broadcasting system which has already been surpassed by better technology.

Now the SOS Coalition, broad industry coalition association that advocates for proper public broadcasting, has launched a "Save Free TV" campaign in South Africa, demanding that the South African government imposes a moratorium on its plan to finally shutter analogue TV signals at the end of December.

The SOS Coalition says the initiative is "an urgent and necessary campaign aimed at safeguarding the constitutional right of access to information, in particular free-to-air (FTA) television, for all South Africans to access".

"This campaign comes in response to the ongoing broadcast digital migration process and the imminent threat posed by the scheduled switch-off of the analogue television signals on 31 December 2024".

"The Save Free TV campaign demands that the department of communications and digital technology immediately halts the analogue switch-off until critical measures are implemented to ensure millions of households do not lose access to FTA TV, their primary source for vital news, information, and entertainment."

Millions of SA viewers will lose access

While millions of poor South African households who qualify for a free STB has not received one, South African households who are not "poor enough" and who have to buy one for themselves to switch from analogue to DTT, can't do so.

The SOS Coalition says analogue TV shouldn't be killed off before at least 85% of poor TV households don't have a STB.

"We demand that the minister of communication and digital technologies impose a moratorium on the switch-off of any further analogue transmitters. We demand an agreed threshold of 85% for the roll-out of STBs to indigent households, and a timeframe for the procurement/availability of DTT kits in retail stores," the organisation says.

It also wants "a nationwide publicity and campaign on the analogue switch-off to ensure no-one is left behind" for the department "to investigate the future viability of DTT compared to direct-to-home (satellite TV), as well as an exploration of the cost of signal distribution and sustainability of DTT.

"The transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, while a significant technological advancement, poses a grave threat to access to free-to-air television," the SOS Coalition says.

"With between 2.2 million to 4.5 million households still reliant on analogue TV, the government's failure to effectively roll out STBs and raise public awareness regarding registering for a government subsidised STB and the implication of analogue switch-off, could result in millions losing access to essential information and services," the SOS Coalition warns.

"In an era where misinformation is rampant, the availability of credible and free news sources is more critical than ever. The Save Free TV campaign aims to ensure that no South African is left behind in this digital transition and that everyone can continue to exercise their right to accessible and reliable information."

The SOS Coalition has now started an online petition as part of its call for the postponement of the analogue switch-off date in South Africa.

Angry SABC2 viewers joining public protest to demand reversal of 7de Laan cancellation.

by Thinus Ferreira

Furious 7de Laan fans will protest this coming Thursday over the SABC's shocking decision to cancel the long-running SABC2 soap with a petition which will be handed to SABC executives demanding that the public broadcaster keep the show on the air.

The 7de Laan MyNou - Amptelik group, which has more than half a million followers on Facebook, is organising a public protest for 28 September at 10:00 at Campus Square Auckland Park in Johannesburg saying that 7de Laan "cannot pay for corruption at the SABC".

The public protest against the SABC's cancellation of 7de Laan will be supported by the GOOD political party.

The SABC abruptly cancelled the Danie Odendaal Productions show in July, saying that it can no longer pay to keep SABC2's second most-watched show on the air, with the final episodes being filmed until 24 October at Sasani Studios in Johannesburg. 

The final 7de Laan episode is set to air on SABC2 the day after Christmas - 26 December.

7de Laan was forced to shut down production earlier this month for three days over non-payment from the SABC. 

The SABC made another partial payment after news of the production shutdown became known, but the broadcaster still owes Danie Odendaal Productions millions of rand. The SABC posted another annual loss of R1.1 billion for the 2022/2023 financial year.

According to the SABC, 7de Laan needs double the viewers and should cost half the money the production costs to make, to remain on the air.

7de Laan had 1.052 million viewers in August on SABC2. That was more viewers than anything watched on MultiChoice's DStv last month, as well as more viewers and a higher TV ratings and audience share than anything watched on SABC3 last month 

According to Caroline Phalakatshela, SABC publicist, "We have received news about a petition but the decision taken is a business decision aligned to audience viewership and the financial state of the business".

"The fact that SABC2 cannot afford to continue carrying a drama such as 7de Laan due to the accumulative costs and the dropped viewership numbers still remains. The show would need to double in audience numbers and also drop in the production costs to realise a positive return on investment. This we don’t see happening in the next few months as the channel has been monitoring this programme for the past years."

A "Red 7de Laan" petition on change.org has racked up over 38 000 signatories and comments by Monday since it was started in July by Jermaine Christians, urging the SABC to renew 7de Laan, and saying that its cancellation would lead to job losses, and that "shutting the door of an award-winning soap with millions of viewers doesn't make sense".

Kayleen Bessit, 7de Laan publicist, told me that the show is aware of the public protest action being planned over the SABC's cancellation of the show.

"The planned protest of 7de Laan fans shows 7de Laan's significant impact on South Africa. We're deeply touched by their determination and conviction to get the SABC to reverse its cancellation decision and immensely thankful for the unwavering support of all the fans."

SABC's cutting down of shows not the way to go

In response to a media query about 7de Laan's cancellation, the SOS Coalition, a public pressure group supporting public broadcasting in South Africa, told TVwithThinus that the "SABC's audience growth is dependent on compelling content that speaks to the needs and interests of the people of South Africa".

"Good and quality locally produced shows are the only way it will be able to retain a good audience base that will also be beneficial for increasing revenue - given that advertising is the only stream that is currently sustaining the SABC," says Uyanda Siyotula, SOS Coalition national coordinator.

"The cutting down of shows that showcase South Africa's diversity and build social cohesion is not the way to go. The SABC needs to reappropriate its budgeting accordingly. More money needs to be invested into the production of local content. Currently, that is not the case - salaries have a bigger budget than content." 

"Commercial and community broadcasters, pay-TV and on-demand platforms are competing for the same audiences and also produce local content. If these audiences leave the SABC, there is no coming back. It is not ideal for the SABC to be cutting down on shows that set it apart."

"If the SABC continues on this trail it will risk losing the loyal viewers that it has. Once the SABC loses more viewers, it will plunge into an even bigger loss. This will also indicate failure to deliver on its mandate as this show brings people of different ethnic groups and races together".

ALSO READ: SABC cancels SABC2's 7de Laan after 23 years.

ALSO READ: Tears and sadness but planning the best end ever: Inside the shock as 7de Laan got its cancellation news.

ALSO READ: SABC: 7de Laan's 1.2 million viewers on SABC2 are not enough for the show to stay on air.

ALSO READ: SABC: Cancellation of more shows likely, Isidingo could possibly return.

ALSO READ: 7de Laan: 'Old' faces could return to Oppiekoffie for jaw-dropping moments.

ALSO READ: 7de Laan: Petition to save TV show grows to thousands as fans rally to save 'beacon of hope'.

ALSO READ: SABC can't say when it will pay massive amount of money owed to 7de Laan as time runs out for shuttered SABC2 soap to film its final 2 months of episodes.

ALSO READ: SABC2 viewers facing blunt 7de Laan end with fewer episodes to the series finale over SABC non-payment.

ALSO READ: Danie Odendaal Productions to restart production on 7de Laan's final 45 episodes after struggling SABC makes a bit payment.

ALSO READ: SOS Coalition: SABC's axing of multicultural 7de Laan damaging to democracy.

SOS Coalition: SABC's axing of multicultural 7de Laan damaging to democracy.

by Thinus Ferreira

The SOS Coalition says the South African public broadcaster's axing of the multicultural soap 7de Laan on SABC2 is bad for democracy and that the SABC's inability to pay local productions is a very big problem.

The SABC that is deep in the red financially and made another annual loss of R1.1 billion for the 2022/2023 financial year is struggling and juggling the payment of all its biggest shows, known as the "Big Five" - Uzalo, Generations, Skeem Saam, Muvhango and 7de Laan - with 7de Laan that got axed in July after the broadcaster can no longer afford to keep it on the air.

Last week Monday, Danie Odendaal Productions abruptly shut down filming of the show at Sasani Studios on the outstanding 45 episodes still to be delivered to the SABC over the broadcaster's failure to pay the producers which are owed millions of rand.

After the SABC found some more money to pay the show on Wednesday, production resumed on Thursday last week for the show that lost three whole production days in the time left on the contract until 24 October to film the remaining episodes. 

The final 7de Laan episode will be broadcast on SABC2 on 26 December but if the production loses more days before 24 October the show will have to end sooner due to fewer episodes.

"As the SOS Coalition we are deeply concerned that the financial crisis at the SABC is unfortunately affecting the production of local content," says Uyanda Siyotula, SOS Coalition coordinator.

"The grim state of the public broadcaster's finances has been made apparent by reports of the immediate shutdown of production on one of South Africa's longest-running television programmes, 7de Laan."

"Even though it has been reported that following partial payment by the SABC, Danie Odendaal Productions will resume production of 7de Laan until the final season is concluded in December as intended - the financial crisis remains worrisome."

"Media reports also revealed that the SABC is struggling to pay producers of some of their popular shows," Siyotula says.

"As the SOS Coalition, we are concerned about the impact this financial crisis will have on the local production sector. When the SABC cuts down on local content production, the detriments are not only limited to local producers but the creative industry at large, including actors and writers."

"Further, cutting down on programmes such as 7de Laan that kept citizens entertained by playing a critical role in promoting cultural diversity and fostering social cohesion, is a threat to our democracy."

The SOS Coalition says that "we have recently also witnessed how these financial constraints affected securing of the 2023 Rugby World Cup broadcasting rights."

"The SABC board must communicate with the public its plan to pull the SABC out of the financial crisis it finds itself in. There must be transparency and accountability from the SABC along with a way forward."

ALSO READ: SABC cancels SABC2's 7de Laan after 23 years.

ALSO READ: Tears and sadness but planning the best end ever: Inside the shock as 7de Laan got its cancellation news.

ALSO READ: SABC: 7de Laan's 1.2 million viewers on SABC2 are not enough for the show to stay on air.

ALSO READ: SABC: Cancellation of more shows likely, Isidingo could possibly return.

ALSO READ: 7de Laan: 'Old' faces could return to Oppiekoffie for jaw-dropping moments.

ALSO READ: 7de Laan: Petition to save TV show grows to thousands as fans rally to save 'beacon of hope'.

ALSO READ: SABC can't say when it will pay massive amount of money owed to 7de Laan as time runs out for shuttered SABC2 soap to film its final 2 months of episodes.

ALSO READ: SABC2 viewers facing blunt 7de Laan end with fewer episodes to the series finale over SABC non-payment.

ALSO READ: Danie Odendaal Productions to restart production on 7de Laan's final 45 episodes after struggling SABC makes a bit payment.

After 4 months without one, legal action looms over CEO's 'appointment' as SABC board.

by Thinus Ferreira

Today marks exactly four months of the unstable South African public broadcaster having no board, with public pressure groups saying they're preparing to go to court over the illegal move by the minister of communications, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, to appoint SABC CEO Madoda Mxakwe to act as if he's the SABC board.

The former SABC board's term expired on 15 October 2022, with no replacement board in place. 

It follows after politicians serving on parliament's portfolio committee on communications waited too late to start the public process to interview for new board candidates, after which president Cyril Ramaphosa failed since December 2022 to rubberstamp the list of 12 names put forth by parliament excluding two contentious names involved in conflict of interests.  

According to Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Madoda Mxakwe has suddenly been "designated by the minister of communications and digital technologies with the concurrence of the minister of finance as the board of the SABC" - a shocking move that the SOS Coalition and Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) say they're "deeply concerned" about.

Uyanda Siyotula, SOS Coalition coordinator, says in a statement the "SOS Coalition and MMA believe the decision is unlawful and that the two ministers exceeded their powers".

"On a simple basis of good governance, it cannot surely be legitimate for one individual to be given board powers and make decisions that otherwise require 15 members of which 12 are non-executive members."

"The minister's assertion that the CEO is the board is at odds with even the most rudimentary elements of governing the SABC."

"It is the failure by parliament to fulfill its mandate in a timeous manner coupled with the president's failure to act swiftly to appoint the SABC board that has resulted in us being in a scenario where we now must contend with the absurdity of a CEO being the SABC board."

"The public was not informed of the decision when it was taken and its basis which raises further questions about the decision. The lack of transparency gives credence to rumoured political interference and orchestrated delay tactics in appointing the board," the SOS Coalition and MMA say.

According to them "there is currently no accountability and no oversight at the SABC because the current gimmicks do not amount to adequate governance".

"We know of at least two key decisions that have been taken in the absence of the SABC board. These include; a submission pertaining to the Analogue Switch Off (ASO) date due to the ministry on 27 January 2023. It is not clear who made the submission and on what basis it can be an SABC position when there was no Board."

"The public then learned of the launch of a 24-hour news channel in January 2023."

"Who oversees the implementation of the activities? Who is SABC management accountable to? Are the decisions being taken based on resolutions of the previous board and are they being implemented accordingly without deviation?"

According to Uyanda Siyotula the Broadcasting Act 13(13) doesn't make any provision for SABC executives to be appointed in the absence of the SABC board.

"Thus, we believe the appointment of the SABC CEO as the accounting authority is illegal and a breach of the Broadcasting Act."

"Seven weeks have passed since the president received the recommended names on 20 December 2022. We ask that the president proceeds to make appointments of the 10 candidates that aren't implicated as the board would still quorate."

"It is unacceptable to have the SABC be without a board for more than 16 weeks. The vacuum created by the absence of a board is causing further damage and deepening an entirely preventable crisis. SOS and MMA demand the urgent appointment of the SABC Board - in the public interest."

"SOS and MMA are currently taking legal advice and will act on an urgent basis if necessary."

SABC: Boardless for 3 months and counting as loss-making public broadcaster's revenue generating plans slip away.

by Thinus Ferreira

This week marks an unprecedented three months - and counting - that the unstable and cash-strapped SABC has been without any board, as the doors are closing on some new revenue-generating plans that the South African public broadcaster's executives came up with to try and stem losses but which all require board approval before they can be implemented. 

The SABC has been lurching along boardless since mid-October 2022 - the fault of politicians and the tardiness of parliament's portfolio committee on communications.

The ANC-controlled parliamentary committee, despite multiple prior warnings in 2022 that the term of the then SABC board was coming to an end, started the process too late to advertise, do interviews and compile a shortlist of candidates to be rubberstamped by president Cyril Ramaphosa.

Meanwhile the time in Cyril Ramaphosa's diary in late-2022 and early-2023 got consumed by the ANC's 55th national conference in December 2022 and to secure his second term as president of the ANC, as well as South Africa's dramatically worsening electricity supply crisis due to a crippled Eskom.

Last week Vincent Magwenya, presidency spokesperson, said that from the president's side there "is an appreciation of the urgency of finalising the process. There was a slight administration and logistical delay towards the end of last year" and that "an announcement is imminent and the process is being finalised".

As a result, a rudderless SABC which is once again heading for yet another loss-making year and is projecting to announce a R608 million loss for its 2022/2023 financial year, has been unable to get board sign-off on some new revenue-generating plans.

These plans - although not able to put the SABC back in the green - would have shaved some millions off of the latest projected loss. Now the SABC has already lost at least one quarter of its latest financial year unable to make more money. 

Ian Plaatjes, SABC COO, made it clear to parliament's portfolio committee that some of these plans are stalling because they specifically require SABC board approval.

Plans like new external sales deals whereby some airtime sales for timeslots on SABC radio and TV are outsourced to third-party companies, could for instance net the SABC R30 million in additional income but can't yet be put into operation since there isn't a board to sign off on these plans.

'The SABC needs a board now'

"The SABC needs a board now," says the SOS: Support Public Broadcasting Coalition pressure group.

"It's now three months since the term of office of the previous SABC board expired on 15 October 2022. The litany of undue delays in appointing the board continues to hamper the institution's efficiency and strategic direction," says Uyanda Siyotula, SOS national coordinator.

"The SOS Coalition is concerned that a significant public institution has been without a board for three months – this has not happened before."

"There are critical issues that need board intervention and approval that are currently on hold."

The SOS Coalition says it is "disappointed by the lackadaisical attitude of the National Assembly in sending the recommended names to the president some 14 days after they were finalised with no explanation as to the reason for the delay".

"The decision taken at the ANC conference in December to replace TV licenses with a household broadcasting levy needs the SABC to strategise on the most adequate implementation process and resource allocation to ensure a swift transition and is likely to need board intervention."

"Further, the looming Analogue Switch Off (ASO) date of 31 March 2023, recently announced by the minister of communications and digital technologies, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, will require a new strategic direction for the institution as it stands to lose part of the 68% audience from the remaining four provinces that still distribute analogue SABC television signals."

The SOS Coalition says that "the minister has set 27 January as the date for interested parties to make submissions on this issue. How is the board supposed to be appointed, inducted and be able to make a comprehensive submission on the biggest threat to its financial viability that it has ever faced?"

About the shortlisted candidates whose names were put forward to comprise the new SABC board, the SOS Coalition says that Dinkwanyane Mohuba should not be appointed until such time as the Supreme Court of Appeal has cleared his name of allegations relating to a fraudulent qualification.

"Nomvuyiso Batyi should be appointed to the SABC board only on condition that she immediately resigns as the CEO of the Association of Communications and Technology. Mpho Tsedu should be appointed to the SABC board only on condition that he immediately resigns as a special advisor to the DCDT and its ministry".

With just days before SABC board term expires after lazy parliament committee's failure to make appointments, illegal plan hatched to stock South African public broadcaster with temporary board members.

by Thinus Ferreira

With just days before the current SABC board's term expires, behind closed doors an illegal plan is being hatched by lazy parliamentarians to stock the struggling South African public broadcaster with "temporary" board members following the shocking failure of members of parliament's portfolio committee on communications to appoint members for a new SABC board in time.

The SOS Coalition is slamming the illegal plan and lazy politicians, saying a temporary SABC board can't simply be appointed "because parliament has failed to do its job in time".

Knowing full well how long the process takes, and having been warned to start the process early enough and apparently not caring, South Africa's troubled public broadcaster now once again lurching into yet another crisis when it will end up without a permanent SABC board when the term of the existing SABC board expires on Saturday.

The dire failure is the mistake, laziness and lackadaisical attitude of the members of parliament on the portfolio committee who failed to start the process of seeking candidates for a new 12-member SABC board early enough.

There has not been enough time for South Africa's State Security Agency (SSA) to complete the vetting process of the 34 shortlisted candidates.

In a statement Boyce Maneli, chairperson of parliament's portfolio committee on communication and digital technologies, blatantly lies when saying the committee did "everything that it ought". They clearly didn't.

"The committee did everything that it ought to do insofar as the recruitment process is concerned. However, it regrets the possibility of not being able to recommend timeously candidates to the National Assembly and the appointing authority (the president) due to lack of vetting, which is out of the committee's purview."

Boyce Maneli now wants to make as if the shocking lack of the appointment of a new SABC board in time, is the fault of South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, when it is in fact the failure of Boyce Maneli and parliament's portfolio committee.

'Interim' SABC board illegal

The SOS Coalition is warning against the appointment of a so-called "interim" SABC board, saying it is "alarmed by the suggestion that an interim SABC board may be appointed".

"Present circumstances do not warrant an appointment of an interim SABC board," says Uyanda Siyotula, SOS Coalition coordinator.

"The appointment of an interim SABC board is an unusual circumstance and the rationales for it and the processes for appointing are set out in law in section 15A(3) of the Broadcasting Act, 1999. The only circumstance in which an interim board can be appointed by parliament is set out in section 15A(3) when the president, upon the recommendation contained in a National Assembly resolution dissolves an existing SABC board".

"Given that the existing SABC board is in place and operational, the SABC board has not been dissolved and not a single board member has been found to have been guilty of misconduct or unable to perform his or her functions, there is no basis for the appointment of an interim SABC board," the SOS Coalition says.

"The Act does not make any allowance for the appointment of an interim Board because parliament has failed to do its job in time."

The SOS Coalitions says that parliament's portfolio committee on communications "has been aware, for years now, that the term of office for the current SABC board ends on 15 October 2022, and it, of course, should have commenced the process well in advance."

"The public has been involved in the latest SABC board appointment process through making nominations, and making submissions on the shortlisted candidates, and parliament has completed all of the interviews. There is no reason why Parliament cannot simply finish the job and make recommendations to the president who in turn should make his choice of board members from list of recommended candidates."

"It is entirely unlawful for parliament to now try to circumvent the legislated process set out for board appointments in section 13 of the Broadcasting Act."

"The actual reason for the proposed appointment has nothing to do with the dissolution of the existing SABC board, it is the fact that the State Security Agency (SSA) is apparently unable to vet candidates timeously."

"In addition to the unlawfulness of an interim board at this point, it also doesn’t help to avoid the reality that those members would also have to be subjected to SSA clearance. We are strongly opposed to the idea of an interim SABC board."

The SOS Coalition says "It is indisputable that the many hurdles must be laid at the door of parliament's portfolio committee on communications. The SOS Coalition has repeatedly raised concerns about the role oversight structures played in the demise of the SABC. The committee's failure to run a smooth appointment process and appoint a suitable SABC board within the prescribed timeframe, is yet another example."

"The SOS Coalition wrote to the committee on 23 June 2022, enquiring about the public call for nominations that had not yet commenced and voicing out concerns about a rushed and compromised process, and the possibility of missing the deadline. Public nominations only closed in August, hence we blame the committee for waiting to be reminded of its duties and, even then, being tardy in carrying them out."

"The SABC continues to face challenges, particularly given its recent poor financial performance, the loss of R201 million in 2021/2022 financial year. It needs the continued stability of a properly constituted SABC board."

"The SOS Coalition calls for a timeous appointment of an SABC board, made up of members of the best possible calibre and skillset, that will work towards the continued stabilization of the SABC by continuing the turn-around initiated by the current board and ensuring that its role as a public institution supporting democracy is protected."

SOS Coalition says Commission of Inquiry's report into SABC editorial meddling doesn't go far enough while former bosses 'Jimmy Matthews and Hlaudi Motsoeneng continue to live as symbols of South Africa's culture of impunity'.

After the release of the Commission of Inquiry's report into SABC editorial meddling on Monday, the SOS Coalition says that it doesn't go far enough - especially not in the public's calls for full accountability - while former abusive SABC bosses "Jimmy Matthews and Hlaudi Motsoeneng continue to live as symbols of South Africa's persistent culture of impunity".

On Monday the Commission of Inquiry into editorial interference at South Africa's public broadcaster reported that it found that the "spectre of the ANC hovered over the newsroom", that ministerial interference into the newsroom of the SABC took place, and found 'bullying and trauma" and a "work environment crippled with fear, anxiety, resentment and tensions".

"The SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition welcomes the release of the long-awaited report of the Commission of Inquiry into interference in the decision-making in the newsroom of the SABC" the SOS Coalition said on Monday in a statement.

"The task before the Commission was a mammoth one and indeed, while the 66-page report offers a glimpse into some of the most egregious abuses of power against journalists and the South African public, the flagrant violations of our laws and complete disregard of our constitutional values by the erstwhile leaders of the SABC, it does not fully satisfy the public’s calls for full accountability."

"Questions remain around the roles of the previous leadership who were key to the destruction of the integrity of the SABC. Key people mentioned in the commission, like Jimmy Matthews and Hlaudi Motsoeneng, have refused to participate in the inquiry and continue to live as symbols of South Africa’s persistent culture of impunity," the SOS Coalition said.

"While the Coalition acknowledges that the inquiry could not have reasonably been expected to unpack the true depth and extent of editorial interference at the SABC from 2012 to date, we do hope that the SABC will be emboldened to pull on the threads that have been laid bare and pursue justice through disciplinary, legal or criminal processes for the many journalists and the South African public who have been affected by the degradation of values at our public broadcaster."

"Going forward, we would like to see the recommendations be given thorough consideration and we hope that this report will provide a stepping stone for more in-depth investigations that will help us understand the root of this malfeasance and how it was allowed to persist for so long," the SOS Coalition said.

"Investigations into interference in the newsroom, although welcomed, is yet still only one pillar within the SABC. There has been a devastating effect on the entire corporation and we urge those investigations continue and an accountable process follows."

"We call on the leaders of the SABC to begin the work of ensuring accountability and rebuilding
our public broadcaster into an institution that the South African public can trust once again," the public pressure group said.


ALSO READ: Commission of inquiry into editorial interference at South Africa's public broadcaster finds 'spectre of the ANC hovered over the newsroom', ministerial interference; 'bullying and trauma' and 'work environment crippled with fear, anxiety, resentment and tensions'. 
ALSO READ: After release of Commission of Inquiry's report into SABC editorial meddling the South African National Editor's Forum urges 'new custodians of the SABC newsroom to safeguard' it from future interference. 
ALSO READ: 'Be fast or I will fire you, I will really fire you': South Africa's former communications minister, Faith Muthambi, faces criminal charges after release of the report of the SABC's Commission of Inquiry into editorial interference and abuse at the public broadcaster. 

Right2Know calls for urgent, full and transparent investigation into possible state capture of South Africa's TV and broadcasting sector.

The Right2Know organisation (R2K) and public pressure group in an open letter is calling for an urgent, full and transparent investigation into how possible state capture of South Africa's TV and broadcasting sector, and how this alleged state capture has impacted broadcasting and public broadcasting in the country.

Right2Know, in its open letter, is urging Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, chair of the judicial commission of inquiry into state capture, to investigate what R2K refers to as "evidence and allegations of state capture and associated corruption in South Africa's broadcasting sector".

Lazola Kati and Dale McKinley of R2K say that R2K aligns itself with a previous submission done by the SOS Coalition and Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) non-profit organisations and public pressure groups acting as media and broadcasting watchdog organisations in South Africa.

In September 2018 both SOS and MMA submitted a joint statement to the commission asking for an urgent investigation into the extent of state capture in South Africa's broadcasting sector.

R2K refers to "serious allegations in the public domain" as part of the reason for a full and transparent investigation that is needed into South Africa's broadcasting sector.

This in part relates to Naspers' MultiChoice pay-TV operator (that will be listing on the JSE at the end of this month), the notorious Gupta family's now-shuttered ANN7, the SABC as South Africa's public broadcaster, eMedia Investments' e.tv, Faith Muthambi as South Africa's former minister of communications and the department of communications.

Big unanswered questions remain around South Africa's seriously delayed and allegedly "hijacked" switch from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT), a process known as digital migration that has been fraught with delays, corruption, infighting and incessant changes.

Evidence "strongly suggests that various actors colluded to shape South Africa's broadcasting policy and sector to their advantage," says R2K.

This severely affected "ordinary South Africans' access to affordable and quality public media and telecommunications".

SABC denies rumours that scandal-damaged Real Talk on SABC3 is cancelled, says TV division is in a planning cycle and that no ideas around programming have been finalised.

The SABC on Saturday denied rumours that the scandal-riddled weekday talk show Real Talk on SABC3 is cancelled.

The SABC refuted the rumours that started on Friday on the same day that South Africa's broadcasting regulator held a public hearing in a case about the secret "paid-talk" controversy that earlier this year not just derailed and massively damaged the show but also inflicted reputational brand and credibility damage on the show and SABC3.

On Friday the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) held its hearing in a case brought by the SOS Coalition and Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) after the SABC and Real Talk, produced by Cheeky Media, did secret and non-disclosed pay-for-play interviews earlier this year.

In December 2017 the SABC and Cheeky Media broadcast two episodes on SABC3 in which host Anele Mdoda interviewed and fawned over the caustic and controversial former minister of social development, Bathabile Dlamini as well as her publicist Lumka Oliphant for which the department paid and SABC took payment, without disclosing to viewers that they are watching paid for "talkomercials".

Taking payment from politicians for interviews, as well as taking payment for interviews without disclosing it to the public are against the SABC's own editorial policy. The SABC board got involved and met about the serious lapse that damaged the SABC's integrity.

Anele Mdoda abruptly quit Real Talk in June as viewership of the already low-rated show tanked further, with SABC3 and Cheeky Media that rebranded the show with the credible Azania Mosaka who took over in mid-June to see out the rest of the current season of Real Talk.

Neither Real Talk, Anele Mdoda or SABC3 ever directly addressed the controversial issue on air although a Real Talk producer said most brands pay to be on the show.

After the SABC admitted its mistake, the SOS Coalition and MMA lodged a complaint with the Complaints and Compliance Committee, in terms of section 17C of the Icasa Act of 2000, against the SABC as a violation of sponsorship regulations.

The public hearing on Friday gave rise to rumours later during the day on social media that Real Talk is cancelled.

Earlier in the week, in parliament Nomsa Philiso, the SABC's group executive for television, said that the struggling SABC3 channel will reposition itself yet again and will focus on "strengthening our talk".

Asked if Real Talk on SABC3 is cancelled, SABC spokesperson Neo Momodu in response to a media enquiry from TVwithThinus denied that Real Talk has been dumped and said that nothing about future programming on SABC3 or the SABC's other TV channels has been finalised.

"The SABC TV division is currently in its annual strategic review and planning cycle," said Neo Momodu.

"Whilst there may be a myriad of ideas and proposals on the table for all programming based on their current and future expected performance, to date nothing has been finalised. The strategies are currently undergoing internal approval processes".

Meanwhile SABC insiders and industry insiders - all with direct knowledge of how the SABC3 channel works - told TVwithThinus they have heard nothing and know nothing about a Real Talk cancellation.

The SABC's inquiry into SABC News editorial interference now open to the public, final report to be made public as well, after an out-of-court settlement with Media Monitoring Africa and the SOS Coalition.

The SABC that initially decided to keep testimony from various people before its inquiry into editorial interference at the South African public broadcaster's SABC News division private and secret has decided to open its inquiry to the public following an out-of-court settlement with Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) and the SOS Coalition, two non-profit civil society organisations.

Last week MMA and the SOS Coalition filed an urgent application in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, demanding that the SABC open its in-camera inquiry into editorial interference to the public.

"The issue of editorial independence at the SABC is of particular interest to the public given the fact that the SABC is obliged to report news fairly and objectively without undue political interference," the MMA and SOS Coalition argued in its court papers.

The MMA and SOS Coalition further demanded that the SABC must make the schedule and details public of when former and current SABC board members will be appearing before the SABC's inquiry into editorial interference.

MMA and the SOS Coalition also accused Dr Joe Thloloe, chairperson of the SABC's editorial interference inquiry, or reneging on his earlier promise that the inquiry that started on 2 July would be open to the public.

In a statement MMA and the SOS Coalition says that in the out-of-court settlement "the SABC agreed to open some parts of the inquiry to the public and the media".

"In terms of the agreement, written and oral submissions by the SABC's current or former board members and senior executives, and those of third parties will be open to the public and the media. Other staff members and whistleblowers will continue to be protected by the confidentiality that was promised when the inquiry was set up."

"Where a staff member wants his or her written submission to be public he or she is entitled to make their written submission public in their private capacity and/or to give interviews on the contents of their submissions, written or oral."

"Such individual staff members will be responsible for any legal or other consequences arising from the publication of their submissions and the SABC undertakes not to invoke any confidentiality or other similar clause in their employment contracts."

The full version of the final report prepared by the commission of inquiry will also be made public but the identities of confidential witnesses may be redacted from the final report.

The full transcript of all oral hearings conducted by the commission, except for those relating to confidential witnesses, will be made public as well, and the commission's schedule is to be open to the public as well.

"We are delighted that following the discussions all parties have reached an agreement that in our view allows issues of confidentiality to be protected but also ensures that some aspects can be open to the public," says William Bird, MMA director.

SOS Coalition coordinator, Duduetsang Makuse, says "Considering the much publicized turmoil that our public broadcaster has been on, as well as the long road of recovery that lies ahead, it was crucial that this process be open, transparent and inclusive of the South African public, to whom the SABC belongs".

Minister of communications Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane doesn't know that the SABC plans to appoint Chris Maroleng as new chief operating officer.

South Africa's minister of communications Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane was unaware that the South African public broadcaster is set to appoint Chris Maroleng as the SABC's new chief operating officer (COO) - indicating that the SABC is apparently no longer looping the minister of communications in regarding top executive appointments.

Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said she was clueless about Chris Maroleng becoming the new SABC COO who will be replacing the controversial and famously matricless Hlaudi Motsoeneng, although SABC management and board sources said Chris Maroleng's official appointment is being finalised.

Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said in a terse statement that she has “no knowledge of any official appointment”.

“The minister of communications has noted the media reports about the appointment of a chief operating officer at the SABC,” said Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane in a statement.

All appointments of the chief operating officer, CEO and chief financial officer (CFO) of state-owned entities are done through cabinet processes and therefore the announcements of the outcome are made by cabinet.”

“It is the minister’s responsibility to present any appointment of executives of the SOEs under the department of communications through cabinet processes. To this end, the minister has no knowledge of any official appointment of a COO of SABC.”

That the SABC is planning on appointing Chris Maroleng as COO without the knowledge of the minister of communications signals that the SABC is following the court decision in late-2017 affirming the SABC board's right to make all appointments of staff - especially of its top executives - without the prior approval or interference of the minister of communications.

Although the minister of communications is appealing the ruling, the communications minister has agreed to abide by the affirmation of the SABC's independent appointments process until the appeal can be heard in court.

The public pressure group, SOS Coalition, in a statement says it "notes with concern" the minister of communication's "statement that alleges that the SABC’s CEO, COO and CFO appointments are to be made by government through cabinet processes".

"The SABC is not an ordinary SOE, this fact was highlighted in recent court rulings."

Court declares South African ministerial interference into the SABC illegal, slams invalid Memorandum of Incorporation.

In a groundbreaking ruling the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday slammed and declared illegal the so-called "Memorandum of Incorporation" for the SABC that was introduced by the controversial former minister of communications, Faith Muthambi, that the wayward minister used to hire and fire top executives at the SABC.

Judge Elias Matojane declared several clauses of the Amended Memorandum of Incorporation illegal that Faith Muthambi and her follow-upper and now also dumped Ayanda Dlodlo used to justify their meddling in SABC appointments and firings.

This amended version of the Memorandum of Incorporation that Faith Muthambi quietly introduced in 2014, illegally gave new powers to the minister of communications to directly meddle and interfere in the operations of the SABC board and SABC executives.

In his judgment Judge Elias Matojane noted the "systematic and repeated failures in the governance and management of the SABC" and said "the critical systemic causes of governance failures and mismanagement were found to have been caused by ministerial interference in the governance and operations of the SABC".

Judge Elias Matojane called the Memorandum of Incorporation illegal under which Faith Muthambi usurped sweeping powers to directly interfere in the executive workings of the SABC.

Judge Elias Matojane declared the Amended Memorandum of Incorporation illegal as far as the appointment, discipline and suspension of the SABC's CEO, COO and CFO goes and said the Memorandum is inconsistent with South Africa's Broadcasting Act and invalid.

Judge Elias Matojane said the Memorandum gave the minister of communications illegal powers that undermined the independence of South Africa's public broadcaster. In his judgment he reaserted that it's the SABC board - not a minister of communications - that controls the SABC.

In the judgment the court said it is the SABC board alone that, through its non-executive members, should and can appoint executive members - without any approval that is required by the minister of communications.

The judgment also said that the SABC board, without prior approval of the minister, can start disciplinary proceedings against the SABC CEO, COO and CFO.

The ruling also states that SABC board members can't be removed if it's not done strictly in accordance with the Broadcasting Act.

The case was brought to court by the Support Public Broadcasting (SOS Coalition), Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) and Media Monitoring Africa (MMA).

The SOS Coalition and MMA said they welcome the judgment limiting ministerial powers and interference at the SABC, calling it in a statement "a victory for independence and media freedom in South Africa".

"The SABC board has the exclusive prerogative to appoint, through a transparent process, the CEO, CFO and COO and any other non-executive members of the board."

"Not only is the SABC board able to exclusively appoint the non-executive members, but they are also able to discipline and/or remove any such members. This makes the current SABC board the most independent board since the birth of our democracy."

Support Public Broadcasting (SOS Coalition) and Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) files urgent court application demanding that Jacob Zuma appoints the new SABC board.

The public pressure group Support Public Broadcasting (SOS Coalition) and Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) on Friday filed a joint application in the High Court in Johannesburg,demanding that South African president Jacob Zuma appoint the permanent SABC board within 48 hours.

The rudderless and cash-strapped SABC, deep in debt, posted a R977 million loss and continues to drift aimlessly without any SABC board since Jacob Zuma refuses to rubber-stamp the appointments sent to him a month ago by parliament.

With no board since the term of the SABC interim board lapsed, South Africa's minister of communications Ayanda Dlodlo who says she doesn't want any on the SABC interim board members to serve on the permanent SABC board, secretively delegated the accounting authority of the SABC board to current acting SABC CEO Nomsa Philiso.

This past Thursday Ayanda Dlodlo suddenly rushed to abruptly extend the terms of the executives who have been acting in all of the SABC's top executive positions.

Ayanda Dlodlo who has lost trust from South Africa's TV industry after promises to save, properly clean up and stabilise the SABC, extended the terms of Nomsa Philiso (acting SABC CEO), Bessie Tugwana (acting SABC COO) and Thabile Dlamini (acting SABC CFO) who will all continue in their acting roles with their acting appointment terms extended until the vacancies for these positions are filled on a permanent basis.

Meanwhile SABC staffers on the verge of revolt, are planning strike action and are demanding the removal of several alleged executives who are so-called "Hlaudi enforcers" like acting news boss Kenneth Makatees, Nothando Maseko and for an investigation into the appointment of Bessie Tugwana as acting COO.

There's now calls for an urgent parliamentary meeting to be held this coming week.

In their joint urgent court application, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) and the Support Public Broadcasting Coalition (SOS Coalition) is demanding that Jacob Zuma appoint the new permanent SABC board within 48 hours if he wants to avoid legal action.

Besides Jacob Zuma, the SABC, Ayanda Dlodlo, the Economic Freedom Front (EFF) political party and the SABC interim board are all listed as respondents.

"It is declared that Jacob Zuma's failure to appoint or/and undue delay in appointing the fifth to sixth respondents (interim board) as non-executive members of the SABC board is unlawful and unconstitutional," says MMA and SOS in the urgent court application.

"As a matter of law, the president has no discretion regarding whether to appoint SABC board members identified by the National Assembly. The only role for the president is to determine the chairperson and deputy chairperson from the board members identified by the National Assembly."

"This makes the delay in appointment, with respect, simply inexplicable."

If Jacob Zuma fails to appoint the SABC board on Monday 16 October, he will have to file a notice of intention to oppose the MMA and SOS Coalition court application by 17:00, and will have to file his answering affidavit by Tuesday 17 October.

Memorial for SABC journalist Suna Venter: 'We all giggled waiting for the utterances of the madman, but at least Suna lived to see the back of Hlaudi at the SABC'.

At the memorial service of the SABC journalist Suna Venter, media freedom fighters courageously spoke out about the ongoing tyranny at South Africa's public broadcaster and eloquently called for an ongoing focus and effort against censorship and oppression inside the SABC corridors where they say Hlaudi Motsoeneng enforcers remain.

Heavy caliber and staunch press and freedom of expression fighters in South Africa on Thursday afternoon used the hauntingly emotional memorial service of the SABC journalist Suna Venter who died a week ago from broken heart syndrome, to call for support for the ongoing fight for the soul of the SABC.

Media heavy weights called on the SABC that has done nothing so far about it, to launch an urgent investigation into the threats and attacks on the so-called SABC8 journalists who stood up against the SABC TV news censorship decree of the controversial and now fired former chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

Refusing to go along, they were fired, harassed, threatened, went to court, were reinstated and the SABC's censorship order declared illegal by the broadcaster regulator.

On Thursday afternoon the SABC decided not to broadcast or live stream through its SABC News resources the late Thursday afternoon memorial service of one of its own held inside the SABC at the public broadcaster's M1 Studios at Auckland Park, leaving eNCA (DStv 403) as the only TV news channel providing a streaming TV feed.

While top-ranking SABC executives were notably absent, the broadcaster's acting chief operating officer (COO) Bessie Tugwana, dressed in pink, was spotted stoically sitting and listening among the gathered mourners.

The courageous SABC's economics editor Thandeka Gqubule, one of the SABC8, welcomed the now eNCA prime time anchor Vuyo Mvoko - also one of the SABC8 journalists and who got fired by the SABC - back to the public broadcaster.

"Welcome back to the SABC, Vuyo," she said.

"It looks and feels very weird that I'm back inside the SABC," he said. "It's weird that eNCA, a private broadcaster, is live streaming this event to South Africa, right from within the SABC."


SOS Coalition: SABC must investigate SABC8 threats
Duduetsang Makuse, national coordinator of the SOS Coalition, the large civil society public pressure group dedicated to proper public broadcasting in South Africa, spoke at Suna Venter's memorial and said that "wild scale injustice" continues to flourish at the SABC.

"The SABC has a lot to answer for. At the time that Suna received threats on her life, the SABC was dismissive and callous in its response".

"The SABC statement by spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago at the time noted: 'Our message is very clear that this is a matter for the police. If the police will not do what they must do, then this has nothing to do with the SABC."

"No member of the SABC8 has received a formal apology for the offensive response and the behaviour of the then SABC board and senior management," said Duduetsang Makuse.

"We are also not aware of anyone being held accountable for any of the threats that were made against the group. We know that Hlaudi Motsoeneng and his enforcers - even though he has left, are still in place at the SABC."

"We know that too many others are being threatened. Many other journalists and other members of society are fearful of speaking the truth."

"There must be an investigation into the threats against her and others of the SABC8, so many named and unnamed other media workers as well."

"It's absolutely imperative that one of the actions the new SABC board must take, is to investigate the SABC's complicity in the threats, and to ensure that those behind the harassment and intimidation are identified and held accountable," said Duduetsang Makuse.


'The fight is not over. Oppressors never give up.'
The veteran journalist and highly respected SABC interim board deputy chairperson Mathata Tsedu said "what Suna Venter and the rest of the SABC8 were faced with, is not a new fight. That they were able to come back to work doesn't mean that victory was attained".

"Freedom is never won. It's defended," he said.

"When I heard that Suna had died, I thought to myself: Did I do enough? Did we as a people do enough to defend this freedom that we have?"

"And I said to myself, I didn't. We were all giggling and waiting for the next unimaginable utterances of the madman Hlaudi Motsoeneng. Meanwhile this asset, the SABC, was going down - until Suna and the SABC8 said this far and no further, whatever the price is."

"They were able to come back. Many more were not able to come back here. They were paid off and told to bugger off," said Mathata Tsedu.

"If there is a lesson in all of this and in Suna Venter's life, it is that each one of us must understand that in this wheel of change that must happen in South Africa, in the change that must propel us forward, there is a piece in that wheel where only my shoulders plug in."

"The fight is not over. Oppressors never give up," said Mathata Tsedu. "Hlaudi Motsoeneng was trying to get into Nasrec two days ago, claiming to be an ANN7 (DStv 405) analyst. So they never give up."

"At least Suna Venter lived to see the back of Hlaudi Motsoeneng, here [at the SABC]. Even if we have failed in many other respects, there are things that we have put in place that all of us as a nation need to help propel forward."

"I hope Suna, little one, that wherever you are, in whatever has been said here, you are able to recognise yourself."


Editor's Forum: Too many silent as they giggled at Hlaudi
Mahlatse Gallens, chairperson of the South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) said that "our hearts are broken that 23 years into democracy, we are fighting against censorship".

"It's exactly a year ago that we stood outside this very building, protesting against the tyranny that has befallen the SABC".

"The SABC is way too big and way too important to our democracy to fail. Suna forced those who decided to sit idly by and be complicit in the tyranny to finally do the right thing. Too many were silent as we struggled and they giggled as Hlaudi Motsoeneng was saying whatever stupid things he was saying," said Mahlatse Gallens.

"While those who thought that they could end independent journalism within the public broadcaster are slowly starting to be held to account, we know that the journey will be long, it will be hard, and it demands all of us to be Suna Venter."

Vuyo Mvoko said "to SABC journalists who have finally found their voices, it's never late. Thank you for doing whatever you could do. Keep standing up. Keep pushing back. It's the only way we can defend our hard-won freedoms."

SOS Coalition: In financial meltdown and producers unpaid, SABC's 'infamous 90% local content decree' has left those meant to benefit with even less than what they started with.

With the beleaguered SABC in financial meltdown and producers and in-house service providers once again not being paid as the last of its cash is fast running out, the public broadcaster infamous 90% local content decree has left those meant to benefit with even less than what they started with.

So says the South African public pressure group SOS Coalition that supports better and responsible public broadcasting in the country about the cash-crumbling SABC that is once again fast approaching a financial cliff similar to 2009 when the SABC came to the brink of financial collapse.

The SABC was only saved through a government bail-out when the South African government was forced to act as a guarantor for a R1.4 billion SABC loan from Nedbank.

With the SABC running on empty and teetering on the brink of financial collapse as advertisers, viewers and listeners continue to flee, parliament's standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) has revealed that just 22 SABC executives at the SABC earn R43 million per year. Of these, 15 executives take home more than R2 million per year.

The SABC's dire cash flow situation became known in July 2016 after executives warned that the public broadcaster is rapidly running out of cash. It was already then revealed that the SABC allegedly plans to ask for another R1.5 billion bail-out.

Yet the SABC acting CEO James Aguma repeatedly kept saying - as recently as February this year in parliament - that there isn't a cash problem and that the SABC's finances are stable and satisfactory.

At the end of March the SABC abruptly stopped paying independent producers and some service providers.

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago in a statement on Wednesday revealed that the new SABC interim board is trying "to deal with the urgent matter of the SABC fulfilling all its financial obligations, including payment of service providers", calling it an "immediate challenge".

"Independent producers woke up to news that they would not be paid and that the SABC has less than R100 million left in its coffers," says the SOS Coalition, saying it is "dismayed by the unabated financial mismanagement at the SABC".

"The SABC's dire financial situation has sparked legitimate fears across the television industry of a repeat of the SABC's 2009 financial meltdown which saw many companies close and numerous jobs lost".

The SOS Coalition says that the controversial Hlaudi Motsoeneng as former chief financial officer (COO) and his "now infamous 90% local content decree has seemingly contributed to the financial crisis at the SABC in a way that extends far beyond the problems now confronting independent producers".

"The SABC's failure to meet its contractual obligations not only places the industry in crisis but also puts thousands of livelihoods at risk in a time of high unemployment".

"The SOS Coalition has campaigned for the SABC to increase local content quotas in past years to support the growth of our local creative industries, but this must be done in a reasonable and strategic fashion so as not to threaten the market share and financial viability of the SABC."

"The irresponsible and attention-seeking manner in which these programming changes have been implemented have contributed to the ongoing crisis at the SABC," says the SOS Coalition.

"Today the SABC sits at R150 million in debt to advertisers following the unplanned programming changes which resulted in unflighted advertisements. Hlaudi Motsoeneng's promises to increase rolayty payments to local musicians have also not been implemented".

"The irresponsible and self-aggrandising manner in which the 90% local content quota was driven contributed to the ongoing crisis at the SABC."

"The worst part of the 90%-model is that the very people who were meant to benefit from increasing local content - the creatives, artists and local producers - are now sitting with less than what they started with," says the SOS Coalition.

The SOS Coalition says its wants the new minister of communications, Ayanda Dlodlo and the new SABC interim board to prioritise the "SABC's immediate financial crisis to ensure the payment of SABC staff salaries and the payment of independent producers".

"Meet with independent producers as soon as possible to work out a joint way forward to ensure payments are made".

Is the SABC's cancelled High Rollers on SABC3 going to jump to a rival broadcaster like e.tv or M-Net after its 'bizarre' dumping?

Viewers are saying they will follow High Rollers, that the SABC wants to dump prematurely before the end of its third season contract, to e.tv or M-Net – a possible move that will further weakening the ratings challenged SABC3 should a rival broadcaster take over the prime time local drama series.

The South African TV production industry, viewers and artists are shocked at the SABC's bizarre decision to can the casino-set local drama series from Rous House Productions months before it's supposed to end.

The SABC's shock cancellation puts the cast and crew of High Rollers out of work just before Christmas.

The South African public broadcaster's shocking move comes despite SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng repeatedly doing lip-service in 2016 that the the SABC values local content, is upping the local content quota for SABC3 to 80%, and that he is spearheading the charge for greater job security as well as better and longer contracts for struggling local actors and artists.

An online petition (found here) started to save High Rollers from SABC cancellation keeps adding signatures and a flurry of comments from angry viewers, upset artists and production workers across South Africa, slamming the SABC for its shortsighted and the as yet unexplained move.

Insiders are now saying that the SABC is allegedly readying a massive pay-out for the remainder of High Rollers’ contract that would have stretched well into 2017.

It means that the SABC will be paying out and wasting a large amount of money, not getting local content in return for it, and paying to not show a local series it signed a contract for and now wants off the SABC3 schedule prematurely.

In May the SABC renewed High Rollers for a third season of 156 episodes and extended it from three to five episodes per week but now wants it gone.

The SABC, asked about its plan to cancel High Rollers cancellation, said "the SABC is not in a position to discuss its contractual obligations with production houses and content providers with third parties including the media".

The Independent Producers Organisation (IPO) that says it represents, protects and promotes the interests and needs of producers, declined to comment when asked and didn't publicly want to voice support for the High Rollers production.

The South African Screen Federation (Sasfed) says the SABC's move wanting to cancel a contract prematurely "establishes a very dangerous precedent".

The South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) says the High Rollers cancellation will have a "profoundly negative impact on the production company and the 103 members of cast and crew" and that SAGA is deeply concerned that the SABC is willing to cancel production contracts before their scheduled prescription.

Part of bigger SABC content devastation

The broad-based public pressure group SOS Coalition, fighting for better public broadcasting in South Africa, told TVwithThinus on Thursday that "it's very unclear, much like most things SABC,under what circumstances the contract is being prematurely terminated".

"However, in light of the radical and continued decline of SABC3's audience share, it appears that the may be linked to the devastation that the entirely unplanned for 90% local content directive issued by Hlaudi Motsoeneng has wreaked on the SABC's TV and radio offerings generally, and SABC3 specifically".

"Ours is not a position against high local content thresholds across the full range of offerings on the SABC," says the SOS Coalition, "but about sound planning, the shaping of a strong business case for all content produced for and by the SABC,to ensure that the organisation remains viable and sustainable in what is becoming an increasingly hostile industry".

"Unfortunately, in light of the arbitrary decision-making at the highest levels, purging of skilled staff, the unlawful writing off of the commissioning protocol and seeming award of commissions to pals, it doesn’t appear as though there is much leadership in the SABC at a point where it is needing it more than ever," says the SOS Coalition.

New lease on TV life elsewhere?

If the SABC goes through with abruptly removing High Rollers within the next month from the SABC3 schedule, the possibility exists that the show could jump to rival broadcasters like e.tv or M-Net in 2017.

Producer brothers Luke and Josh Rous struggled for four and a half years to finally get their well-received show accepted by the SABC but with the public broadcaster that doesn't want it anymore, e.tv or M-Net could possibly take it over.

M-Net has broadcast similar type shows to High Rollers in the past – like the drama series Jacob’s Cross that's been seen on both the SABC and M-Net.

High Rollers would also be a local drama take-over coup for e.tv that's been steadily investing in more glitzy dramas with high-end production values that would make sense for its own schedule.

"High Rollers is a great production," said outraged viewer Sphesihle Khumalo. "Please do not take away South African content that we can actually relate to and enjoy".

"I will actually consider cancelling my SABC TV licence if this show is removed," said Rianette Cluley. "It's one of the few good local offerings. Hope e.tv snatches if up if it is cancelled".

"If the SABC goes through with this, I hope it is picked up by e.tv" said Michael Harris.

"This is the only decent show left on SABC3 after Days of Our Lives was taken off," said Penny Kemertgoglou. "If the show is cancelled, I will never watch SABC3 again. Neither will I pay my TV licence”.