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The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on the Broadcast Digital Migration and Analogue switch-off in Limpopo Province on 08 February 2022

In order to ensure that 80% of the population have access to the internet by 2024,  freeing of spectrum currently occupied by broadcasters for allocation to telcos is critical. The Broadcast Digital Migration and Analogue Switch Off programme is an important step to drive down the cost to communication and ensure that the majority of South African citizens enjoy the benefits of affordable internet.

By migrating from analogue to digital television, South Africa will have fulfilled its international obligation as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) expects all countries to efficiently use spectrum as a scarce national resource. Migrating will further ensure improved media quality of service and unleash developmental opportunities.

All South Africans deserve a pleasant TV watching experience with clear picture quality, more free-to-air channels, SABC radio station of their choice irrespective of where they are in the country as well as improved pay and subscription TV.

Considering the above, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies is in the process of switching off all analogue transmitters in the country by end of March 2022 as determined by His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa in his 2021 State of the Nation Address. To date, four of the country’s nine provinces have been switched off. These are Free State, Northern Cape, North- West and Mpumalanga.

On Tuesday, 08 February 2022, the Minister will switch off the last SABC analogue transmitter in Limpopo Province, making Limpopo the fifth province to be switched off. This milestone event will take place at the Tzaneen Sentech site, Limpopo from 06H30 to 14H00. Members of the media are invited to cover this important event.

After the switch-off, the Minister will visit households in various parts of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality to assess work done thus far and interact with communities on their lived experience of the switch-off.

The Minister continues to call upon all households with a household income of R3500 or less to register for government assistance to migrate at their nearest post office or through the following link www.stbregistration.gov.za or WhatsApp us on 0600 625 458 or call us on 0860 736 832 for more information.

Issued by Department of Communications and Digital Technologies