SA Eyes Household Levy to Replace TV Licence

Communications department is developing a new funding model for the SABC after years of collection failures.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Television

SA Eyes Household Levy to Replace TV Licence

Live Poll

Should all South African households pay a broadcasting levy even if they don't watch SABC?

South Africa's Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is developing a household broadcasting levy to replace the SABC television licence system. The department is targeting 31 March 2027 to submit revised funding options to Parliament.

Why it matters

The SABC struggles to collect television licence fees, with payment avoidance reaching 85% in the 2024/25 financial year. A device-independent levy would apply regardless of whether residents consume SABC content, shifting how public broadcasting is financed.

Payment avoidance reached 85% in 2024/25, and the SABC lost roughly R22.8 billion in potential licence revenue between 2019/20 and 2024/25. The final levy design and its collection mechanism remain undecided pending the department's consultations.

The players

Solly Malatsi

Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies who has expressed reservations about imposing another household tax and called a universal household levy a terrible idea.

SABC

The South African Broadcasting Corporation, the country's public broadcaster, which funds its operations largely through television licence fees.

Nomsa Chabeli

Chief executive of the SABC who has backed a universal public media levy as a replacement funding model.

Khathutshelo Ramukumba

Chair of the SABC board who has backed a universal public media levy as a replacement funding model.

The details

The department completed a study with consultants BMI TechKnowledge on alternative funding arrangements. Options under consideration include a household levy and levies on local and international streaming services, with the South African Revenue Service possibly handling collection.

2019/20 to 2024/25: SABC lost approximately R22.8 billion in potential licence revenue.
2024/25 financial year: Payment avoidance reached 85%.
February 2026: Department was still consolidating funding proposals after stakeholder consultations.
31 March 2027: Department targets submitting revised funding options to Parliament.
April 2027 to March 2028: Amended SABC Bill expected to be tabled in Parliament.

Roadmap

The proposed levy would replace the existing TV licence requirement, which remains in force until legislative changes are approved. Parliament's committee has recommended a sustainable funding framework be finalised within six months.

Under the current system, households pay a television licence to access SABC content. A universal levy could change what viewers pay, since it would apply whether or not residents watch SABC programmes.

The takeaway

Until Parliament approves the new framework, existing TV licence payment requirements still apply. Residents should continue to meet current obligations while the funding debate develops.

What happens next

The department targets 31 March 2027 to submit revised funding options to Parliament, and the amended SABC Bill is expected to be tabled between April 2027 and March 2028.