The NAB welcomes the opportunity to make its presentation to the Authority, and prior engagements the ICASA CEO had with the NAB executive committee. We hope our inputs will add value and help shape the Authority’s 5 year strategy. Three television broadcasters are directly affected by digital migration: SABC, etv and M-Net. Analogue Terrestrial Television currently provides TV services to over 41 million South Africans. Terrestrial TV is a mass medium, and of these 41 million South African television viewers, terrestrial FTA television is the sole source of education, information and entertainment for over 26 million South Africans. An approach to spectrum allocation as a result of digital migration and the digital dividend must take into account the importance of Terrestrial Television in SA. The spectrum is directly linked to the future viability of Terrestrial Television and serving the needs of citizens.

On 28 March 2014, the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (“ICASA”) published, in Notice Number 254 of 2014, Government Gazette Number 37486, a notice of its intention to prescribe a Code for People with Disabilities Regulations (“the Draft Regulations”). The closing date for public comment is 16 May 2014.

"The ICASA General Licence Fees Regulations 2012" means the ICASA General Licence Fees Regulations, 2012, as published under General Notice 29 in Government Gazette 36323 of 28 March 2013.

On 24 January 2014, the Department of Communications (“the DoC”) published in General Notice No 44, Government Gazette 37261, its National Integrated ICT Policy Green Paper (“the Green paper”) for general information and comment from interested persons.

On 18 September 2009 the DOC published a draft Spectrum Policy for public comment. The NAB participated in this public consultative process, which led to the department publishing a final Spectrum Policy on 16 April 2010. The NAB notes that the DOC has called this workshop to consider a review of the 2010 Spectrum Policy. It is apparent that the DoC has been engaging with a range of stakeholders, however the NAB has not had the opportunity to meet the DOC on the proposed Spectrum Policy review process until today. The NAB therefore appreciates this workshop, and would require additional time to consult its membership on key matters that affect broadcasters.

The National Association of Broadcasters ("the NAB") is the leading representative of South Africa's broadcasting industry. The NAB aims to further the interests of the broadcasting industry in South Africa by contributing to its development.

On 22 August 2013 the NAB, represented by Karen Willenberg, Chairperson, Philly Moilwa, Deputy Chairperson, and Dimakatso Qocha, Deputy Executive Director, made a presentation to Minister Yunus Carrim 

The Bill proposes inserting subsection 5 in section 3 of the Bill, which provides that; any person affected by any action, finding or decision of the Authority may apply to a court with competent jurisdiction for the review of that action, finding or decision.

The NAB supports the proposals made in Sections 2(h) and 5(9)(b) of the Bill to replace the phrase “historically disadvantaged individuals” with the term “broad-based black economic empowerment”. From the NAB point of view, this is in keeping with government policies on empowerment. Furthermore, section 4(3)(k) of the ICASA Amendment Bill empowers ICASA to formulate regulations on empowerment requirements in terms of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act.

On 5 August 2014 the NAB, represented by Mr. Philly Moilwa, Deputy Chairperson, Ms. Nadia Bulbulia, Executive Director, Ms. Dimakatso Qocha, Deputy Exec Director, and executive committee members Mr. Vasili Vass and Ms. Wilma Van Schalkwyk, made a presentation to Minister Faith Muthambi. To access this presentation, please contact the NAB Offices.