The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, marking nine decades of public broadcasting in South Africa.
This milestone highlights the evolution of the national broadcaster from a colonial-era radio service to a modern multimedia entity. The history of the institution reflects the broader social and political shifts within the country, serving as a primary source of information for millions of citizens across diverse linguistic groups.
The SABC was founded in 1936 [1] in Johannesburg. The corporation established its roots during a period of significant growth in communication technology, aiming to create a centralized public broadcasting service for the nation.
One year after its founding, the organization achieved a major technical milestone. The SABC aired its first national radio broadcast in 1937 [2]. This event signaled the beginning of a new era in South African media, allowing the government and public figures to communicate with a national audience simultaneously for the first time.
Since that initial broadcast, the broadcaster has expanded its reach through various radio channels, and television services. The transition from the first radio signals in 1937 [2] to the digital age has seen the SABC navigate complex political landscapes and technical upgrades.
As the organization reaches its 90th anniversary in 2026 [3], it reflects on its role as the national broadcaster. The journey from a single radio broadcast in Johannesburg to a comprehensive network underscores the enduring importance of public media in the region.
“The SABC was founded in 1936 in Johannesburg.”
The 90th anniversary of the SABC serves as a reminder of the central role state-funded media has played in South African history. By tracing the institution's origins back to the 1936 founding and the 1937 radio launch, the broadcaster emphasizes its longevity and its institutional memory in an era of rapidly shifting digital media consumption.
