In South Africa, anyone who owns or possesses a television set is required to have a TV Licence. This applies to individuals, businesses, and organizations alike. The licence fee is payable annually and is used to fund the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the country’s public broadcaster.
The requirement to have a TV Licence is stipulated in the Broadcasting Act of 1999, as amended. The Act states that “No person may use any television set unless such a person is in possession of a television licence issued by the Corporation against payment of the prescribed fee for each television set to be used, unless exempted by regulation.”
The purpose of the TV Licence fee is to generate revenue for the SABC, which is a non-profit organization. The SABC uses this revenue to produce and broadcast a variety of public service programming, including news, education, and entertainment content.
There are a few exemptions to the requirement to have a TV Licence. These exemptions include:
- Hotels and guesthouses: Hotels and guesthouses are not required to have a TV Licence for televisions that are provided in guest rooms.
- Hospitals and prisons: Hospitals and prisons are not required to have a TV Licence for televisions that are provided in patient rooms or inmate cells.
- Schools and educational institutions: Schools and educational institutions are not required to have a TV Licence for televisions that are used for educational purposes.
If you are unsure whether or not you need a TV Licence, you can contact the SABC for more information. You can also find more information about TV Licences on the SABC website.
Here are some additional details about TV Licences in South Africa:
- The annual TV Licence fee is R265.
- TV Licences can be purchased at Post Offices and authorized retailers.
- TV Licences are valid for one year.
- It is an offense to use a television set without a valid TV Licence.