Pursuant to a 2002 amendment of the act, the SABC has been converted into a public company with a share capital; its sole shareholder is the state.
The Broadcasting Act imposes onerous duties on the public broadcaster:
- The act requires the SABC to provide, in all official languages, a wide range of programming that reflects South African opinions and artistic creativity, displays South African talent in education and entertainment programmes, offers a plurality of views and a variety of information and analysis, and provides for a broad assortment of audience interests, beliefs and perspectives.
- It must also maintain a high standard of accuracy in news and programmes on matters of public interest. It must nurture South African talent and train people in production skills. It must provide or subsidise variety, musical or other performances. Its services must extend beyond South Africa's borders.
- The SABC must have local content, language and religious policies, ensure that its services treat all population segments and official languages equitably, and strive to be of high quality in all languages. It must be responsive to the needs of deaf and blind users.
- It must provide radio and television programming that informs, educates and entertains.
- It must also include significant amounts of educational programming on a wide range of social, political and economic issues, including human rights, health, early childhood development, agriculture, culture, religion, justice and commerce.
- Its commercial services must commission a significant amount of programming from the independent sector and operate efficiently to maximise revenue.
- The corporation runs five television channels and 18 radio stations. The act says its programmes must be funded by any means of finance, including advertisements, subscriptions, sponsorships, grants by the state, donations by others and television licence fees.
According to the most recent available financial statements of the SABC, for its financial year to 31 March 2023, its then-CEO stated that having to fulfil the corporation's mandate comes at great cost. It must broadcast programmes, which, although of value to target audiences, do not attract advertisers and hence are produced at a financial loss. Financial sustainability will require legislative change.
The financial statements show that television licence fees received made up just 16% of the SABC's revenue. Earnings from advertising came to 57% of the total, sponsorship revenue was 15%, while 12% came from other sources.
The Broadcasting Act and regulations, read with the Electronic Communications Act, stipulate that as a rule, no one may use or possess a television set without a licence issued by the SABC.
