Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has told parliament that the cost to communicate in South Africa is “not decreasing at the pace that government wants” and will look to actions beyond “relying on market forces” to address this perceived problem.
Ntshavheni’s remarks come less than 18 months before South Africa is expected to go the polls in a national election that could see the ANC falling below 50% for the first time since the first democratic election in 1994. The cost to communicate – and specifically the cost of data – remains a hot-button political topic in South Africa.
Ntshavheni had been ordered last year by South Africa’s apex court to initiate proper consultations with broadcasters, including e.tv parent eMedia Holdings, before analogue broadcasts can be terminated. The court gave the minister a bloody nose after it sided with e.tv and found the switch-off of analogue signals must be delayed to allow for more consultation.