South Africa’s Department of Communications (DoC) has allocated R10m to support the development of content by community radio stations. During this year it will provide broadcasting infrastructure to 15 community stations, with R6m allocated for this purpose.
The DoC will implement measures such as setting aside frequencies for community broadcasting aimed at promoting the growth of this sector. A study is being conducted to develop a sustainability model for Community Radio Stations and TV. Informed by the outcome of the study, the DoC will investigate the possibility of increasing its contribution to the sector to meet its goal of “one municipality – one community radio station’.
Minister Roy Padayachie announced these plans during his Budget Vote speech on 31 May at the National Assembly.
Commenting on the commercial radio sector, the Minister said that commercial radio services will be licensed in the Free State, Eastern Cape and the Northern Cape following the licensing of similar services in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West in 2007.
In addition, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) will soon announce the successful bidders for the commercial radio licences in Gauteng, Cape Town and Durban.
