50 Years of Television in South Africa

This year marks a major milestone in the story of South African media - the 50th anniversary of the launch of television broadcasting in the country. From a single state owned channel in 1976 to today’s vast digital content landscape, South African TV has grown into a powerful force that’s shaped our culture, politics, and collective memory.

Let’s take a journey through the highlights, shifts, and challenges that defined five decades of television in South Africa.

A Late Start

South Africa was one of the last countries in the world to introduce television. While most nations had already embraced TV by the 1950s, South Africans only saw their first official broadcast in January 1976, although trial transmissions began in 1975.

Why the delay? Freedom of expression was barely none existent, with newspapers censored during apartheid. The government feared television would bring unwanted foreign influence, amplify resistance, and disrupt state control.

But as global pressure mounted and technological change became inevitable, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) rolled out the first TV channel, available in English and Afrikaans only.

The First Broadcast & What It Meant

The SABC’s launch of full-time television began with limited evening programming and as expected, content leaned toward the state’s ideological narrative. At the time, TV sets were luxury items, and many communities had no access to the service.

Yet, even in its limited form, television introduced a powerful new way of storytelling, news dissemination, and cultural exchange.

A Platform for Protest, Culture, and Change

TV2 and TV3 lauched in the 1980s. They were rolled out to mainly cater to Black viewers, though content was still very much state-controlled. Communities found creative ways to tell their own stories.

After 1994, the SABC was restructured to reflect South Africa’s new democracy, with programming in all 11 official languages. New shows addressed societal issues from HIV/AIDS to township life and the complexities of post-apartheid identity. Think Soul City and Suburban Bliss, that ring a bell?

Parliament on Prime Time: South Africans Tune In

One of the more unexpected but significant developments in the past two decades has been how parliamentary proceedings have become popular viewing.

With increased access to live broadcasts from Parliament and the National Assembly, South Africans have taken a growing interest in politics beyond the ballot box. Platforms such as Parliament TV, SABC’s live coverage, and even YouTube channels stream debates, committee meetings, and major addresses such as the State of the Nation Address (SONA).

But it’s not always about policy discussions. Fiery debates, political drama, and memorable one-liners from politicians have turned these broadcasts into viral content.

Remember the EFF walkouts? Or former President Jacob Zuma’s back-and-forths with opposition MPs? These moments did not only spark headlines but also memes, and millions of views.

This shift reflects something deeper: an increasingly engaged citizenry using television not just for entertainment, but to hold public officials accountable.

South Africa’s Highest-Rated TV Moments

Television has also been home to massive national moments, bringing the country together in real time. Here are some of the most-watched broadcasts in South African TV history:

• 1994 Presidential Inauguration of Nelson Mandela

  Estimated viewership: Over 10 million

  A global event and a proud moment watched in schools, homes, and public spaces across the country.

• 🏉 1995 Rugby World Cup Final (Springboks vs. New Zealand)

  Viewership: 9 million

  Immortalized in the film Invictus, this match united a nation still healing from apartheid.

• 🗳️ 1994 General Election Coverage

  Viewership: Millions tuned in as results came in for the first-ever democratic vote.

• 🎤 Live Idols SA and Big Brother Africa Finales

  Viewership: 2–4 million at their peak

  Reality TV brought a new generation of viewers to their screens, creating national stars overnight.

• 🎙️ State of the Nation Address (SONA)

  Regularly draws 3 to 5 million viewers across SABC and digital streams, and spikes during significant political moments.

The Rise of Satellite and Private Broadcasting

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, South African television evolved fast.

• MultiChoice’s DStv brought hundreds of channels to homes across the continent.

• e.tv, launched in 1998, became the first private free-to-air station, shaking up the industry.

• Digital migration, although slow, started reshaping how South Africans accessed content.

Then came streaming. Platforms like Disney, Showmax, Netflix, and YouTube gave local creators global platforms, while viewers gained more control over what they watched, and when.

Television’s Cultural Impact

It’s hard to overstate how important TV has been to South African identity.

Shows like:

• Yizo Yizo

• Generations

• Isidingo

• Uzalo

...weren’t just entertainment. They sparked national conversations, broke taboos, and told stories that had never made it to the mainstream before.

The broadcast of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) hearings was yet another historic moment.

Television has come a long way in 50 years. It has educated, entertained, divided, and united. And as South African media continues to expand in the digital era, we can only imagine what the next 50 years might bring.

Thanks for reading! Follow the blog for more insights on media, politics, and the power of storytelling in South Africa.