SABC’s Silent Signal: Afrikaans News Axed, Cultural Debate Erupts
In a stunning and silent move, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has pulled the plug on the Afrikaans news bulletin on SABC2, sparking nationwide outrage, questions, and calls for accountability.
The Afrikaans news bulletin, which aired daily on SABC2, was abruptly discontinued over the weekend without any prior announcement or official explanation. The move has ignited sharp criticism from political and civil rights groups alike. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and AfriForum have come out strongly, accusing the broadcaster of marginalizing the Afrikaans-speaking community, a demographic that includes over 300,000 regular viewers.
The decision also brings renewed scrutiny to the role and responsibility of the SABC as South Africa’s national public broadcaster, particularly in a country that prides itself on having 11 official languages. Afrikaans, though historically controversial due to its association with apartheid, remains the third most spoken language in South Africa and is a cultural cornerstone for many, including large numbers of brown and black Afrikaans-speaking citizens.
While SABC’s financial woes are no secret, many suspect deeper agendas. Budget cuts, a strategic shift toward English-dominant content, or a broader transformation mandate may be influencing these decisions. However, the lack of transparency from SABC has only deepened public frustration.
Adding fuel to the fire is the recent pattern of declining Afrikaans representation on SABC2. From the cancellation of beloved series like 7DE LAAN and PASELLA, to now axing the news, critics argue that Afrikaans content is being methodically erased from the public broadcaster’s programming slate.
ANOTHER STEP IN REMOVING AFRIKAANS LANGUAGE AND CULTURE FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
SABC just announced that they will be discontinuing the popular News in Afrikaans broadcast.
Critics, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) and AfriForum, have voiced strong opposition, arguing that the… pic.twitter.com/SSQWMZnIzp
— Pookie’s Polls & Opinions (@pookiepolls) April 7, 2025
This raises bigger questions: Is the SABC evolving with the times, or is it alienating significant linguistic and cultural segments of the nation? And if Afrikaans is on the chopping block today, which language could be next?
The silence from the SABC is speaking volumes, and communities are demanding answers. In a country still healing from its past, does cutting Afrikaans content promote inclusivity, or deepen division? With the broadcaster tight-lipped and public outrage growing, the real question remains: Who decides what languages are worth hearing—and why?
