SABC launches New York bureau

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Mongezi Mtati

The SABC News formally launched its New York bureau yesterday, Monday, 24 September 2007, at the United Nations Headquarters during the 61st session of the UN General Assembly. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, delivered the keynote address.

As part of the SABC's public broadcast mandate, SABC News' aim is to provide credible, accurate and interesting news programming, including bulletins and current affairs shows that bring news of the country, Africa and the world to the South African public in everyone's languages. The establishment of bureaux, domestically, continentally and internationally, is key to achieving this.

Dr Snuki Zikalala, GE news and current affairs said, “Our aim is to deliver global news from an African perspective. In order to support SABC's corporate goals, SABC News has established bureaux in George in the Western Cape, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and Nigeria. Our bureaux also extend overseas in London, Brussels, New York and Washington respectively”.

“Plans are in place to extend additional bureaux in Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal [and] Zimbabwe, as well as Brazil, China and Jamaica,” Dr Zikalala added.

Through its New York bureau, SABC News has brought breaking news from the UN. These stories include issues that affect development of Africa at large and as the appointment of Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, who co-chaired the first segment of the UN Security Council mission to Africa.

The 61st Session is being attended by 159 heads of state.