Signal Lost: South Africa’s TV Licence Era is Officially Over

The decades-old TV Licence system in South Africa has reached its final episode. Communication and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has declared the regime has “all but collapsed,” confirming what millions of households have already voted on with their wallets: they are no longer paying.

In a frank interview with the SABC, Malatsi revealed that less than 20% of viewers currently pay the licence fee, with avoidance rates skyrocketing from 69% in 2019 to a staggering 85% in 2025. The model, reliant on advertising and licence fees, is no longer viable for a broadcaster in severe financial distress. “TV licences have all but collapsed,” the minister stated.

A New Funding Model on the Horizon

With the SABC facing potential collapse, the government has commissioned tech research firm BMIT to develop a new funding blueprint. Their report, now due on 6 February 2026, will explore all options. Malatsi was quick to hose down speculation, stressing that a widely discussed “household broadcasting levy” or tax collected by SARS is merely one proposal and not adopted government policy.

He acknowledged the public’s likely resistance to any new tax, especially given the tough economic climate and the recent heated debate over VAT. “The ultimate conversation is going to be about whether there is any contribution from users and consumers of broadcasting,” he said.

The Core Challenge: Enforcement and Collection

The minister pinpointed the fatal flaw of the old system: a catastrophic failure in enforcement and collection. He drew a sharp contrast with high-compliance areas like motor vehicle licences, where direct consequences exist. “When there is a perceived lack of enforcement, it becomes far easier not to ignore legislated requirements.”

This lack of consequences, coupled with the shift to digital streaming and widespread illegal connections, rendered the TV Licence unenforceable.

The coming weeks are critical. Once the BMIT report is in, it will be scrutinised alongside the National Treasury. The goal is to find a model that is fair, feasible for low-income households, andmost importantlycollectible. One thing is certain: the old green TV Licence envelope is headed for the history books. What replaces it will determine whether South Africa’s public broadcaster survives to produce the next chapter.