Message from the President on the 75th Anniversary of the SABC

On behalf of government and the people of South Africa, we congratulate the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as it celebrates its 75th Anniversary today on 1 August 2011.

In a short space of time, the SABC has moved from being an instrument that was used to perpetuate colonial oppression and apartheid, to a modern public broadcaster that promotes social cohesion and democracy in our vibrant multi-ethnic society.

The SABC has grown over the years to become the primary source of news, information and entertainment for millions of South Africans, whom it reaches in all eleven languages, through 18 radio and three television stations.

The extensive reach gives the SABC the power to influence and shape South African society.

It touches the lives of all our people every day - rural and urban, rich and poor, young and old, men and women, executives and workers.

We welcome the great strides that have been made to transform the SABC into a true public broadcaster in recent years. However, the transformation journey cannot be completed overnight.

It is an intensive exercise that requires all of us to participate and support this national asset, the SABC. It is my pleasure to recommit government to supporting the SABC on this transformation path.

On this special day, we also congratulate the SABC on the successful management of huge projects requiring technological expertise, which includes the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup event as well as national and local elections to name just a few.

We look forward to further success during the next big project, the United Nations climate change conference that will bring the world to our shores in November and December.

Working together as South Africans, we will build a stronger and more successful public broadcaster!

We extend hearty congratulations to the Chairperson of the Board, the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer and all staff of the public broadcaster.

Happy 75th anniversary to the SABC!

Enquiries:
Zanele Mngadi
Cell: 082 330 1148

Source: The Presidency