It’s been 25 years since the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) transitioned from a State broadcaster into a public broadcaster.
Prior to 1994, the National Party government used it as a propaganda tool, censoring dissenting voices and programmes.
Today the company boasts policies that safeguard public interest, diversity and journalistic integrity in accordance with legislative acts and the constitution.
Transformation of the SABC began in 1990 when Nelson Mandela was released from prison and political parties, including the African National Congress (ANC), were unbanned.
The broadcaster relatively managed to steer clear of political interference for several years after 1994.
In 1999, government became its sole shareholder, in a move meant to give the state more oversight on the public broadcaster’s finances to avert financial problems.
Things have, however, not penned out the way they were intended to.
Watch full report on SABC’s 25 year journey as a public broadcaster:
