The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has signed a three-year ZAR 215 million (US$ 25.8 million) agreement with the South African Football Association (SAFA) that will make the state’s broadcasting arm the exclusive free-to-air broadcaster of three South African national football teams
SABC will have the exclusive rights to show matches involving the men’s team, who are known by fans as Bafana Bafana, as well as the matches of the under-23 team and Banyana Banyana, who are otherwise known as the woman’s national team.
The head of the national football association described the signing of the agreement as the beginning of a new chapter in South African football.
“The days of blackouts are over,” remarked SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani.
“Going forward, all our games will be broadcast live; the nation will be able to watch and cheer their national teams even if they would be playing outside the country. To us this exciting news and a mission accomplished.”
Football has enjoyed a surge of popularity over the past few years following the build up and aftermath of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was held in the country.
SABC Group chief executive officer Lulama Mokhobo noted, “We are excited about the new era we are entering with SAFA.
“Since the ending of the last contract, we were negotiating on a match-to-match basis, which posed challenges in our ability to plan adequately for transmission.
“This also caused in some instances a situation where we broadcasted delayed matches,” Mokhobo added.
Under the terms of the deal, the SABC will have all the free-to-air broadcast rights of Bafana Bafana home matches and any away friendly matches.
The agreement included the broadcast of a new SAFA magazine programme, which will be launched at the start of the new domestic soccer season.
