SABC issues update on major developments

The SABC board and management say that the organisation is progressing well with the implementation of the "24 hours [sic] news channel, which is expected to be launched by the beginning of September 2012".

According to the update, the broadcaster has received the final report from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigators and is currently studying the document with the view to action its recommendations. The update from the SABC says the broadcaster "welcomes the prosecution process that is underway in this regard and [we] have offered our full co-operation".

Financial issues being addressed?

According to the update, the public service broadcaster is "progressing well in the implementation of all the matters that were raised by the Auditor General of South Africa" and "is pleased that as from the current financial year the audit function of the SABC will be taken over by the Auditor General in the performance of the external audit function".

The SABC update says that the broadcaster, in terms of the Government Guarantee, "is on course in the implementation of the Guarantee and all of its attended obligations".

It also says that the 2011-2012 Annual Report "reveals a marked improvement from the previous year in respect of the general performance of the SABC, save a few challenges of amortisation of local and foreign content and there is a plan to address all these challenges". It adds that the SABC Board is "confident that the team led by the GCEO Lulama Mokhobo is equal to the task of leading the SABC and addressing all current and historical institutional challenges".

However, the board also reiterated that "there is not [sic] investigation against the current leadership of the GCEO and any such inferences are uncalled for and mischievous".

Ready to listen?

According to the update, the SABC has embarked on a 'Make your Voices Heard Campaign' where the organisation is urging the public to comment and make inputs in the process of what the SABC refers to as "developing new and exciting content".

All 18 radio stations will use their various programmes on today, 7 August and tomorrow, 8 August, to get feedback on its programming content, such as music and its news and current affairs offerings. The aim is to give listeners an opportunity to talk with the respective station managers and according to the update, the public can also participate on the radio stations and social media platforms of Facebook and Twitter.

The three television channels will use their live programmes (Shift, Matric's Uploaded and YOTV on SABC 1, Morning Live and Hectic Nine-9 on SABC 2 and 3 Talk on SABC 3) to engage with the public.

Viewers will be able to comment on television content via social networks (Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Mxit and WhatsApp) or post remarks on az.oc.cbas@cbasym. In addition, television will broadcast PSAs with the same message to solicit responses from today, 7 August, to Friday, 10 August.

The public can contact the SABC's call centre on +27 (0) 11 714 9111 to get information on all programming.