South African Broadcasting Corporation

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is the national broadcaster of South Africa. As of 2018, it provided 19 radio stations and five television channels in a variety of languages. Established in 1936, the SABC served as a state broadcaster under White minority rule. When the country democratised in 1994, it became an independent public broadcaster. Since then it has been crippled by financial mismanagement, and critics frequently question its independence because of its close ties with the African National Congress, the ruling party in the country.

This entry provides an overview of the SABC, including the history of its radio and television broadcasting and a summary of contemporary developments.