GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IS THE CORNERSTONE OF A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

The collection of television licence fees is governed by the Broadcasting Act, no 4 of 1999, as amended, and the Television Licence Regulations in terms of the Act. The relevant legislation prescribes that television licence revenue may be used only to fund the SABC’s public service obligations. These include broadcasting in all 11 of South Africa’s official languages, and programming on both radio and TV that caters for the diverse informational, cultural, religious and entertainment needs of our multilingual, multicultural society. Income from television licence fees currently contributes ±20% to the SABC’s annual operating revenue.

The Broadcasting Act stipulates that any person or entity having in his/her possession or using a television set must have a valid (paid-up) licence for such set. Irrespective of whether a TV set is used to view SABC TV, other broadcasters’ services or only videos/DVD’s, it is the set that needs to be licensed and not its use. In fact, a licence remains payable even if a TV set is not used at all.

The television licence legislation provides for various licence categories, among others household, business and retailer licences.

A household/family requires a single domestic TV licence irrespective of the number of sets on the premises, provided that the sets are used by the licence holder and his/her immediate family members (dependants) at their residential address. The current annual fee payable is R225.00.

Unlike private households, business entities pay per TV set used by them. Business entities include members in the hospitality industry such as hotels, B&B, lodges and guesthouses. Once a year, such businesses have to provide the SABC with an audited statement indicating the number of TV sets and the period for which such sets were in their possession. Business entities pay per television set in their possession.

Retailers selling television sets as part of their business need a single demonstration/ dealer licence for the sets on display for sale.

Businesses (hotels, B&B’s etc) that have more than 10 television sets in their possession may qualify for a discount on the amount payable. The business discount system works on a sliding scale depending on the number of sets and subject to certain conditions. The SABC’s Business Accounts Department may be contacted on (011) 330 9702 for more information.

Non-compliance with any aspect of television licence legislation may result in penalties being incurred on an account as well as other legal sanctions.

As corporate citizens, all businesses – large and small – are major players in South African society. They are in daily contact with consumers from all walks of life, some of whom are law-abiding citizens in every respect; paying their water and electricity bills, rates and taxes, and vehicle and television licence fees. However, in the same way that some members of the public fail to pay their dues in the above regard, the SABC also experiences difficulties with TV licence defaulters. Paying one’s business TV licence, does not only reinforces the principle of sound corporate governance, but business leaders and business enterprises can play an important part in showing their customers that paying one’s television licence fees contributes towards making public broadcasting possible.

Paying your business TV licence/s is now as simple as clicking through to www.tvlic.co.za right now.

Paypoints
You can also pay / renew your licences at any of these paypoints: ABSA, First National Bank or Standard Bank, nearest Post Office, Pick ‘n Pay, Shoprite-Checkers, SABC Regional Offices.

Please call 011-330 9702, fax 011-330 9567 or e-mail businesstvlic@sabc.co.za for more information.