GCEO calls on Portfolio Committee to look at SABC’s funding model

Group CEO of the SABC Nomsa Chabeli has called on Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communication and Digital Technologies to give a serious consideration for a revised funding model for the public broadcaster.

Chabeli and SABC Board chairperson Khathutshelo Ramukumba addressed the committee on day two of a three-day induction programme.

Parliament is facilitating the induction programme, where all industry players present their mandates and challenges to the committee.

Currently before the committee is the SABC Bill, wherein suggestions are made about the funding model of the SABC, to assist with its sustainability.

Chabeli asked MPs to look at global trends in terms of funding of public broadcasters.

“SABC, we are not asking for bailout, the minute we talk about funding, it’s the word bail out. No, all we are asking is that government follow global trends and fund the public mandate.”

Chabeli added that there are positive trends with regards to the broadcaster’s finances.

“We all know for F24 we had a loss of R1.1 billion, we have reached end of financial year, forecast reduced loss by R500m, let’s wait for it to come out but that is the forecast and looking at breaking even by 26/27.”