Sentech grants grace period for radio stations in R1.8m debt

TWELVE Eastern Cape community radio stations, facing a switch-off because they owe signal distribution provider Sentech a combined debt of R1.8-million, have been granted a grace period .

This follows a crisis meeting between Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane and the National Community Radio Forum (NCRF) on Friday that concluded the stations could have an extension to sort out their financial woes and submit payment plans – or be completely silenced.

The deal will also see 17 community radio stations that were switched off countrywide, being reconnected.

The 12 Eastern Cape stations are among 20 community radio stations which are in danger of being discon- nected due to their Sentech debt.

Six stations were switched off last week countrywide, including the Eastern Cape stations Forte FM and Sunshine FM.

NCRF deputy-president Xola Nozewu said at the meeting the forum had appealed to both the Media Diversity and Development Agency (MDDA) and Department of Communications to assist those who could not afford to pay up.

Other stations which owe Sentech are Izwi Lethemba FM, Kumkani FM, Takalani FM, Ekhephini FM, Unitra FM, Ngqushwa FM, Kouga FM, Nkqubela FM, Mdantsane FM and Inkonjane FM.

“We have reached an agreement and the Department of Communications has agreed to get Sentech to reconnect all those that were disconnected,” Nozewu said.

He said community radio sta- tions were hampered by lack of financial support.

“We have been negotiating with the Department of Communications to ensure that there is legislation to ensure that 30% of government advertising goes to community media and this should apply to all spheres of government.

“We [are] quite clear that the pronouncements made by the national government for this 30% are not enough and there has to be legislation enforcing it.”

The NCRF also slammed the Independent Communications Authority of South African (Icasa), saying it issued broadcasting licences carelessly and without doing feasibility studies.

Icasa could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Sentech spokeswoman Milisa Kentane said Sentech had long been lenient on debtors, but it could not operate if fees were not paid.

“Sentech has transmission agreements with individual community broadcasters,” she said. “The company has taken as long as 30 months, in some cases, to activate the breach of contract clause.”

Kentane said Sentech would continue engaging with radio stations to ensure payments were honoured. – Daily Dispatch