LISTEN: Free State the first province to switch off analogue

Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane made the announcement at a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday.  

This is the beginning of South Africa’s migration from analogue television to digital terrestrial television (DTT). 

Mokonyane appointed a DTT advisory panel headed by Sentech executive Aldred Dreyer to fast-track the long-awaited program. 

Cabinet approved the move to DTT in 2007, and the process has been continuously delayed missing the 2015 deadline by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). 

This left has left South Africa’s broadcasting system not protected from signal interference. 

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The ITU has set another deadline for June 2019, South Africa has given itself till 2020 to complete the process. 

“Political instability also contributed to uncertainty in this space. I take full responsibility for how government has dealt with this. And as I have said to everyone, let’s make sure we do this as if the deadline is tomorrow. 2020 is a projection, but if miracles happen and if the energies can drive us to complete this before 2020, so be it,” said Mokonyane. 

She said the delays were due to a delivery model, which cost government at least R10 billion in buying and warehousing set-top boxes. 

Acting director-general Mashilo Boloka says if South Africa does not migrate it will cost the country R7.5 billion. 

“We are taking a retail approach and using a voucher system. A subsidy will be implemented but to a limited extent because we understand a lot of people can buy digital TV. And the more these are produced the less they will cost."

The Northern Cape and the North West will be switched off in March 2019.