Is Supersport purposefully drowning the SABC?

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Wed 06 Sep   [Ron Derby] Our national public broadcaster has been lambasted for its inefficiencies, corruption and ineptitude best espoused by the tenure of Hlaudi Motsoeneng as its chief executive. There are many own goals in the story of the SABC, including the loss of local football rights as far back as 2007, when the public confidence in the institution began its cataclysmic collapse. So, yes, I understand that not too many people have any pity for the Auckland Park tower. But in its failure to agree to broadcasting the Rugby World Cup starting this week, Supersport may have exploited the financial vulnerability of the public broadcaster. You have to ask the question, why were the negotiations drawn out to this very last minute, and ultimately to whose benefit? The big advertisers such as mobile operators work on their budgets years in advance of big tournaments like rugby or football. Even if a last-minute agreement had been reached, would the SABC be able to get the advertising support to make broadcasting the tournament viable for a financially strained organisation? Maybe it would, but I have my doubts. But as part of the SABC’s mandate, it must broadcast the tournament because it’s a matter of national interest. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a last minute breakthrough. But let’s get back to denigrating the SABC. It’s our favourite pastime, even though there are good people working in that tower — despite its many challenges that our bad brand of politics has brought. Supersport definitely isn’t the victim here; it will find a way to raise the revenue lost from the collapsed deal with SABC. Yesterday, the Restaurant Association of South Africa released a statement calling on DStv to review its price increases of up to 50% and an unannounced change for restaurant subscribers ahead of the screening of the much-anticipated Rugby World Cup. Is this for the national good for all those taverns — where people can congregate — in Siya Kolisi’s hometown to watch him bring it home again? Ron Derby | Editor-in-Chief [@Ronderby]( [GettyImages-894722354]( [DA asks high court to set aside Reserve Bank report that clears Ramaphosa]( The central bank’s conclusion that the president did not have an obligation to report forex paid to, and stolen from, his Phala Phala farm was irrational, it argues in court papers [// Read more]( [TOPSHOT-SAFRICA-UNREST-POLITICS-ECONOMY]( [SAPS has implemented only six of 18 recommendations for dealing with unrest]( The South African Police Service report stated it was still in the process of holding accountable those accused of criminal conduct during the July 2021 unrest [// Read more]( [Bheki Cele]( [Cele: Police secure 100 KZN political killing convictions]( Investigations have revealed that hitmen are hiring top lawyers to defend themselves and that the biggest threat to political victims is from within their own parties [// Read more]( Recommended Reads [Africa lacks early warning systems to prepare for climate disasters]( About 60% of people in Africa lack early warning systems which could help them to better prepare for upcoming climate disasters [// Read more]( [A second wave of independence for former French colonies?]( Rigging elections has been a national sport in too many of the region’s territories – will Cameroon and Congo-Brazzaville be next? [// Read more]( [Prigozhin’s death exposes Putin’s real motives in Africa]( Russia’s lawlessness at home and abroad is bringing into sharp focus what Vladimir Putin’s new world order would look like [// Read more]( [Empty containers were loaded on Lady R, independent report finds]( The report also said the South African National Defence Force was not aware that the cargo ship was under US sanctions until it reached South African waters [// Read more]( [Brics: A conflicted but emerging new centre of global power?]( We could yet witness the bloc emerge as a new power hub but only after a plethora of issues have been solved [// Read more]( Pic of the day [New Zealand v South Africa - 2023 Summer International] Siya Kolisi of South Africa reacts after the Summer International match between New Zealand All Blacks v South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on August 25, 2023 in London, England. South Africa begin their World Cup campaign against Scotland on Sunday. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images) [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa