The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) together with the Department of Communications (DOC), parastatal signal distributor Sentech and the Free Sate Provincial Government switched on a low power transmitter in Jagersfontein on 20 December.
This event also marked the official switch-on of the other three newly erected low power transmitters at Memel, Hobhouse and Paul Roux, giving these Free State communities access to SABC 1, 2 and 3 as well as Lesedi FM. In 2009, SABC also provided the Philipolis community with radio and television services for the first time in their lives.
The infrastructures of these low-powered transmitters are funded through the payment of television licence fees by the South African public. The total infrastructure investment for the establishment of the three television services and one radio service is around the region of R150,000.
“Making a real difference to the lives of all South Africans is what the SABC is committed to delivering in terms of its public broadcasting mandate. Funding this obligation is no easy task, and the pro-active collection of television licence fees countrywide goes a long way towards providing broadcasting services to the millions of South Africans who tune in to radio or television services on a daily basis,’ says Kaizer Kganyago, SABC Spokesperson.
In line with its mandate of providing universal access, the SABC will continue with the roll-out of similar transmitters where there is no accessibility to broadcasting services throughout the country.
