SABC switch-off a blow to millions of Zimbabweans
By Nomalanga Moyo
Millions of Zimbabweans have been dealt a blow after the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) turned off free access to its channels Tuesday.
The loss of SABC channels, which the majority of Zimbabweans were viewing through free-to-air decoders, will force many to watch the boring state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, otherwise known as the Dead BC.
Announcing the switch-off, the SABC said in statement that from July 1st viewers will only be able to view its channels through the newly-introduced Vivid decoder, which comes with a range of features aimed at limiting free access.
For example, anyone hoping to purchase the new decoder will need a smart card/decoder number, South African proof of residence, valid identification and a valid TV licence.
In addition, the decoders which are available from signal carriers Sentech, TelJoy and Elsat, will not work outside South Africa.
Zimbabweans can access South African TV channels by subscribing through MultiChoice but, costing between $10-$95, this is too costly and unaffordable for most people who are either unemployed or on average earn $150 per month.
Zimbabweans shared their disappointment with local media, saying the switch-off had robbed them of a key source of entertainment and current affairs. Others lamented the loss of children’s programmes which they said were educational.
Those who spoke to SW Radio Africa said it was unfortunate that they were now going to be forced to listen to ZANU PF propaganda that is broadcast by the ZBC.
“When we had the SABC, I could easily switch channels when ZBC started broadcasting its propaganda, but now that is all gone,” Mandla Tshuma said from Bulawayo.
Another Bulawayo resident Chris Moyo, bemoaned the lack of variety on ZTV, adding that with the elections around the corner, there will be no respite for ordinary Zimbabweans who will be subjected to non-stop ZANU PF propaganda.
However, Zambia-based Zimbabwean journalist Herbert Chikosi said this was a wake-up call for all Zimbabweans to take up the campaign for media reforms seriously.
Writing on his Facebook page Tuesday, Chikosi said: “When many of us were calling for media reforms, Zimbabweans called us names and hinted it was a war for the journalists to fight alone.
“Now that SABC has switched them off, I hear them crying foul . . . This is what we have been saying (that) the ZTV we have is not the public broadcaster we want. I am very patriotic but ZTV, eish. Media Reforms NOW,” Chikosi added.
Patience Zirima, coordinator at freedom of expression lobby network the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe, said with SABC channels gone, Zimbabweans will realise just how much they have been deprived of by the government’s refusal to carry out media reforms.
“The free SABC channels ensured a diversity of news sources, entertainment etc and this is a wake-up call to everyone, including ordinary Zimbabweans, to say is one TV channel really enough?
“Yes the switch-off is inconvenient but this is also an opportunity for everyone to start calling for media reforms to ensure that more players are licenced to provide the much-needed diversity and plurality.
“We would also want the ZBC to be reformed so that their programming reflects what the public wants instead of the current partisan, hate-filled items,” Zirima added.
The SABC switch off follows an order granted to Botswana TV channel eBotswana (a sister company to SA’s commercial station e.tv), by a SA high court compelling the state-owned Sentech to scramble its signal in a bid to prevent pirate viewing.
This effectively closes the loophole that was giving millions people from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola, Botswana, and other neighbouring countries, free access to SABC’s popular soaps such as Generations, Muvhango, Zone 14 as well as sports programmes. SW Radio Africa
