Meta Description: Will the SABC cover the 2026 local elections without R120 million? CEO Nomsa Chabeli told Parliament coverage will go ahead whatever the funding outcome. Read the facts.
Last updated: 8 October 2026
Short Answer
Yes, according to the SABC. CEO Nomsa Chabeli told Parliament on 2 October 2026 that election coverage would go ahead whatever the outcome of the funding request. The SABC had asked for R120 million, and the EFF said Treasury refused it, according to Sowetan on 12 February 2026. The SABC resubmitted its request on 5 August.
Key Takeaways
- The SABC sought R120 million for election coverage.
- Sowetan (12 February 2026) reported, citing the EFF, that Treasury had refused the request.
- The SABC resubmitted on 5 August 2026.
- CEO Nomsa Chabeli told Parliament on 2 October that coverage will proceed regardless of funding.
Why Election Coverage Needs Funding
As South Africa’s public broadcaster, the SABC has a mandate to inform the public. Covering a national municipal election means outside broadcasts from many sites, results programming, debates and radio coverage in multiple languages. The R120 million request reflects the cost the SABC attached to that work. How much of that sum is essential and how much is optional is a question the material reviewed does not answer.
The Timeline
February 2026: the refusal claim
Sowetan reported on 12 February 2026 that Treasury had refused the SABC’s request, citing the EFF. This is a claim from a political party, relayed by a newspaper. The material reviewed did not include a Treasury statement confirming it, so it should be read as the EFF’s account.
5 August 2026: resubmission
The SABC resubmitted its request on 5 August 2026. The outcome of the resubmission was not found in the material reviewed, so this article does not say whether any funding was approved.
2 October 2026: the CEO’s assurance
Parliament’s record of 2 October 2026 reports that Nomsa Chabeli said election coverage will go ahead whatever the funding outcome. That is a statement of intent by the SABC’s chief executive. It does not describe the scale or quality of coverage, which could differ if money is tight.
What an Assurance Does and Does Not Mean
- It means the SABC intends to broadcast election content.
- It does not specify how many channels, languages or outside broadcasts will be funded.
- It does not say where money would come from if the request is declined, such as reallocating its own budget or commercial income.
Why It Matters to Voters
For many South Africans, radio and public television are the main sources of information, especially in languages other than English. If coverage were thin, voters in some areas might have less access to results and debate. That is a general concern about public media, not a finding in this case, because the SABC says it will cover the election.
At the same time, public money for a broadcaster raises questions about independence and value for money. Those debates are separate from this article, which reports only what was said and when.
How to Check the Position
- Look at Parliament’s committee records for statements on the SABC’s budget.
- Look for Treasury or Communications Ministry statements on any funding decision.
- Compare SABC announcements about election programming with what actually airs.
The Public Broadcaster’s Role in an Election
Public broadcasters usually carry party election broadcasts, debates, voter education messages and results. Voter education matters because it explains how to find a voting station, what documents to bring and how special votes work. If funding is tight, the question for the public is which of those services would be cut first. The sources reviewed do not say, and the SABC has not, in the material reviewed, published a breakdown of the R120 million.
Competing Views on Public Funding
Supporters of funding argue that a broadcaster with a public mandate should be resourced to cover an election in all official languages, including in areas where commercial media do not operate. Critics of additional funding argue that the SABC should live within its means and that taxpayers should not top up an institution with a history of financial pressure. This article does not take a side. It notes that both positions are held in public debate and that the material reviewed did not include a detailed costing.
The EFF’s claim about Treasury is also part of a political argument. Parties sometimes use funding disputes to criticise the government, and a claim from one party should be read alongside an official response when one is available.
What We Still Do Not Know
The material reviewed did not include the outcome of the August resubmission, a Treasury response, or details of the SABC’s coverage plan. Without those, no conclusion about the extent of coverage is possible.
How Election Coverage Is Usually Judged
Media watchers usually judge public broadcast coverage on balance, reach and accuracy. Balance asks whether parties get fair airtime. Reach asks whether coverage is available in the languages and on the platforms people use. Accuracy asks whether results and claims are checked before they are broadcast. These are standards often used in media monitoring, and they provide a way for viewers to assess the SABC’s coverage after the fact, regardless of how it was funded.
Viewers who want to hold the broadcaster to account can record the dates and times of programmes, compare coverage of different parties, and report concerns through the broadcaster’s complaints channels or to the relevant regulator.
What to Watch Next
Watch for the SABC’s published election programming schedule, any announcement on funding, and the quality and reach of results coverage on 4 and 5 November.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the SABC ask for?
R120 million for election coverage.
Did Treasury refuse?
Sowetan reported on 12 February 2026, citing the EFF, that it did. That is the party’s claim.
Did the SABC ask again?
Yes, it resubmitted on 5 August 2026.
Will the SABC cover the elections?
CEO Nomsa Chabeli told Parliament on 2 October that coverage will go ahead whatever the funding outcome.
Is the final funding decision known?
Not from the material reviewed.
Sources
- Sowetan: reporting on SABC election coverage funding (12 February 2026)
- Parliament of South Africa: SABC briefing record (2 October 2026)
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