Khusela Sangoni-Diko Warns That SABC Is on the Brink of Collapse, South Africans Are Not Surprised

• Khusela Sangoni-Diko has warned that the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is on the brink of collapse
• The Communications and Digital Technologies Committee Chairperson listed the problems currently affecting the State broadcaster
• South Africans were not surprised by the admission, stating that all State-owned entities collapsed because of the way it was run

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

WESTERN CAPE – The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is reportedly on the brink of collapse, but citizens are not surprised.

According to Communications and Digital Technologies Committee Chairperson, Khusela Sangoni-Diko, the State broadcaster is struggling because of outdated infrastructure, legislation, and an inadequate funding model.

Sangoni-Diko made the statement while addressing an Economic Cluster Portfolio media briefing in Parliament on Monday, 08 September 2025.

Why is Sangoni-Diko concerned?

Speaking about the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, she noted that it was functioning under outdated legislation. She then noted that the SABC was one entity suffering as a result.

"The SABC is on the brink of collapse. It’s burdened by unsustainable debt, outdated infrastructure and a broken funding model,” she stated.

Sangoni-Diko also called for the urgent adoption of the SABC Bill, saying that it would address the financial and operational challenges.

What is the SABC Bill?

The bill is a proposed piece of legislation that is designed to overhaul the SABC's governance, funding, and operational model. It’s aimed at better positioning the broadcaster for the digital era by modernising its operations. It also seeks to replace the TV licence system with a household levy. The bill was first introduced in Parliament in October 2023 but withdrawn in November 2024 by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), Solly Malatsi. The decision was heavily criticised by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, which described it as both unilateral and unconstitutional.

The Speaker of the National Assembly was then required to formally gazette the withdrawal, but this has not happened yet. As a result, the bill is in a state of limbo currently.

The broadcaster has been in the headlines for various reasons this past calendar year. In December 2024, an employee trended online after she got into a fight with an air hostess.

The SABC is also at the centre of a legal battle, as the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party wants it to stop using the term, Government of National Unity (GNU). The Gauteng High Court initially ruled in favour of the broadcaster, but the Supreme Court of Appeal has since given the party the green light to challenge that decision.

South Africans not surprised by SABC’s situation

Social media users weighed in on Sangoni-Diko’s warning, saying they weren’t surprised that a State-owned entity was in trouble.

Siyanda Baleni C Calvin stated:

“Cadre deployment killed it. Be honest.”

Bill Daniels said:

“Lol, South Africa is on the brink of collapse.”

Ekse Mamela Sani added:

“Like any other State entity.”

Tony Morais agreed:

“And so is just about everything run by the State.”

Margaret Fricke asked:

“What isn’t on the brink of collapse thanks to the ANC?”

Reinhard Pettenburger stated:

“That's because the ANC and their Cadres have stolen everything.”

Keith Melanie Du Randt said:

“Go ahead and collapse it like all other State-run institutions. We are tired of paying our hard-earned money to fund your corruption.”

Daniel Fuchs said:

“And why am I not surprised? Everything, and I mean everything, under the ANC has failed. It is a criminal organisation after all. The facts are the facts.”

SABC suffers R1 billion net loss

Briefly News reported in 2023 that the SABC suffered a net loss of R1.13 billion in the fiscal year.

The massive loss marked an increase of R949 million from the previous fiscal year.

The SABC said it was linked to factors such as the ongoing loadshedding crisis that was crippling the country.

Source: Briefly News