The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)’s SABC Education celebrates its 30-year milestone this year, having been established in 1996, two years after South Africa’s first democratic elections with the mandate to deliver educational programming for the public broadcaster.
Over the past three decades, SABC Education has educated, informed, inspired and empowered audiences through Television, Radio, Digital and Outreach projects.
The dawn of our democracy marked the beginning of rebuilding a society deeply divided by apartheid, where education had been deliberately segregated and unequally resourced. Millions of Black South Africans had been subjected to an inferior education system designed to limit opportunity and entrench inequality.
As the democratic government embarked on transforming the education system through a single, inclusive national curriculum, SABC Education was created to complement these efforts by extending learning beyond the classroom. Its mandate was to democratise access to knowledge, support lifelong learning, bridge historical educational disparities and empower all South Africans with the skills, information and opportunities needed to participate meaningfully in a democratic society.
From its inception, SABC Education became a powerful catalyst for nation-building, promoting social cohesion, inclusion and shared citizenship while supporting the country’s developmental priorities. Through innovative educational programming, it helped make learning accessible to millions regardless of geography, socio-economic status or language, ensuring that quality educational content reached homes across the country.
Who can forget shows such as Take 5, Khululeka and Soul City, with memorable characters like Sister Bettina, Sol Grootboom, Sister Lizzie Dlamini, Ali Mazwai, Thandi Mazwai and Dr Lerato Molefe, Soul City played a major role in addressing many challenges faced by poor communities and educating the audiences about HIV and AIDS.
Since its formation, SABC Education has invested in early childhood development programmes, most notably Takalani Sesame, which has played a major role for the past 26 years in promoting basic school readiness, literacy, numeracy and life
skills. Shows like Geleza Nathi, Kids News Room, and Soul Buddyz not only educated children but also shaped their future through storytelling.
Furthermore, over the past three decades, SABC Education has produced and broadcast some of South Africa’s most iconic educational programmes, including Yizo Yizo, Intersexions, Gaz’ Lam, Soul Buddyz, Geleza Nathi, Hectic Nine-9, YO TV, Matrics Reloaded, Higher Grade and Daily Thetha and many others that have informed, inspired and empowered generations of South Africans.
The SABC, through SABC Education, has birthed the careers of many young aspiring presenters who became household names by giving them a platform as presenters on shows such as Yo.TV, Take 5, Shift, Hectic Nine-9 and Daily Thetha.
SABC has proudly established meaningful partnerships with organisations such as the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Higher Education and Training, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) and The Soul City Institute, to mention but a few.
To date, the division continues to thrive, with its primetime drama Skeem Saam reaching over 5 million viewers weekdays at 19:30; a youthful daytime programme, Our Space, at 16:00 is a charged, interactive, daily vodcast series that unpacks and explores the most pertinent issues affecting Generation Alpha.
“For 30 years, SABC Education has been far more than a broadcaster, it has been South Africa’s classroom, a trusted source of knowledge and a catalyst for opportunity. We are proud of a legacy that has educated, inspired and raised a generation of South Africans. As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we honour the millions of learners, educators, parents, producers and partners who have been part of our journey, while reaffirming our commitment to delivering trusted, relevant, impactful and inclusive educational content that empowers future generations across television, radio and digital platforms.” Says Jacqui Hlongwane, SABC Head of Genre – Education and Children.
30 Year milestone
1996 SABC Education is established as a dedicated public service education division.
1997 Take 5 launch
1999 Yizo Yizo sparks a national conversation on education and youth development.
2000 Takalani Sesame launches on Both Radio and TV, introducing multilingual early childhood education to South African children and adapted in all ALS stations
2002 Gaz’ Lam
2000–2005 Expansion of children’s educational programming through YO TV, Soul Buddyz and Soul City.
2004 The decade speaks; Radio Celebrated the first decade of our democracy
2006–2010 Youth-focused programmes such as Hectic Nine-9, Shift and Khululeka Siyavota broaden educational content beyond the classroom.
2007 Hectic Nine-9
2008 Voter and Democracy Education, a partnership with the IEC is launched on both Radio and TV
2009 Khetha, A partnership with DHET, focused on Career services and Skills development
2009 Matric revision, an SABC Radio initiative to assist matriculants to prepare for their final examinations is launched –every year between September and October
2010 Intersexions
2011 Skeem Saam premieres, combining compelling storytelling with educational and social themes.
2012 Geleza Nathi launches, becoming one of South Africa’s leading matric support programmes.
2013 Nalibali, A partnership with the Nalibali Foundation focused on building a culture of Reading –ECD
2018 Side by Side, A partnership with the National Department of Health and Ilifalabantwana Foundation Focused on ensuring that children receive the naturing care and protection to reach their full potential
2015–2019 Expansion into career guidance, entrepreneurship and digital learning initiatives through programmes such as iSpani and Daily Thetha.
2020 SABC Education becomes the nation’s classroom during COVID-19, delivering curriculum support across television, radio and digital platforms.
2021 SABC Education celebrates 25 years of empowering South Africans through accessible learning.
2023–2026 Continued growth on SABC Plus and digital platforms, providing on-demand educational content for learners of all ages.
2026 Launched Our Space. SABC Education celebrates 30 years of shaping minds, opening opportunities and educating generations.
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For media enquiries:
Caroline Phalakatshela
Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment 072 382 2032 / phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za
