Nomsa Chabeli, the Group CEO of the South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC), has pledged to deliver major football events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to South African audiences via free-to-air platforms. The public broadcaster aims to provide fans unparalleled access to prominent CAF events, such as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the ongoing Champions League, and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Chabeli emphasised that SABC’s extensive coverage will continue over the next year, featuring both the Women’s and Men’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and the FIFA World Cup across the USA, Mexico, and Canada. “We are committed to offering unmatched commentary in all South African languages to ensure diverse representation,” said Chabeli. This approach highlights SABC’s dedication to inclusivity, featuring voices in English, Afrikaans, XiTsonga, Sesotho, and more.
To enhance the coverage, SABC plans to deploy well-known journalists on the ground, bringing live reporting to audiences across various platforms. Chabeli noted that this initiative showcases the strength of public broadcasting as a service committed to representing all South Africans.
SABC’s commitment means that no South African should miss out on these major global events simply due to financial constraints. “We’re dedicated to ensuring these tournaments, which are of national interest, are accessible to everyone at any time,” she stated.
With Patrice Motsepe serving his second term as CAF President, the relationship between SABC and CAF is expected to grow stronger. Chabeli highlighted SABC’s successful broadcasting of previous Africa Cup of Nations matches and the significant audience engagement achieved.
As excitement builds, Chabeli anticipated upcoming tournaments, including the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in July. SABC aims to rally support for Banyana Banyana and is prepared to provide comprehensive coverage across all channels, including radio, television, and OTT streaming platforms, ensuring fans can follow Bafana in the Africa Cup of Nations.
