Monday, 31 August 2026

SAFM’s 1995 relaunch after democracy aimed to replace racial and language divisions with an inclusive English-speaking public sphere serving all South Africans.

SABC Radio executive Nada Wochella said only about 5% of funding comes from the fiscus, leaving commercial revenue and partnerships to sustain public-service programming.

Wochella said SAFM has embraced audiovisual platforms because audiences increasingly want to watch radio, while its key defence against social media remains trusted, accurate information.

Listeners called for more disability representation, women’s participation, drama, music and content variety; academics urged audience research and keeping citizens—not consumers—at the centre.

The panel warned that outdated legislation still imposes children’s programming requirements on a primarily talk-based SAFM, while broadcasting technology and audience behaviour have moved on.