This month in history

This month in history Ursula
1 August 1936: The SABC is formed

In 1934, the prime minister of South Africa General James Barry Munnik (JBM) Hertzog ordered an official investigation into all aspects of broadcasting in South Africa. The investigation ultimately led to the formation of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), under Act 22 of 1936.

The broadcasts of the African Broadcasting Company (ABC), which was formed in 1927, ceased and the broadcasts from the newly formed SABC began.

At first the SABC broadcasted only in English. However, the Act stipulated the inauguration of a parallel Afrikaans service.

In 1937, comprehensive transmissions in both official languages became a reality as the "A and B Programmes" were developed and transmitted.

(Sahistory.org)

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