11 July 2024 

PRETORIA – The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa hereby announces that it will reopen applications for the provision of community sound broadcasting services in December 2024. 

The application process will cover Community Sound Broadcasting Service licences, and the associated Radio Frequency Spectrum licences. This follows the previous 2022/2023 process, which led to the Authority awarding Community Sound Broadcasting Service and Radio Frequency Spectrum licences to five (5) successful applicants between July and August 2023. The new licensing process will formally commence with the publication of an Invitation to Pre-Register. In preparation for this, the Authority will be conducting a virtual workshop for prospective applicants and other stakeholders on 18 July 2024. 

This workshop aims to provide clarity and guidance on the detailed requirements of the application process in order to ensure that applications comply fully with the Invitation to Pre-Register. ICASA is committed to ensuring that qualifying communities are awarded community broadcasting licences. These licences provide a critical local platform and voice. They act as a source of information within communities, providing local news and entertainment, a forum for discussion and the exchange of views, uplifting and empowering each member of the community in many ways. Adv. Luthando Mkumatela, Chairperson of the Licensing of Community Radio Broadcasters Council Committee, urges communities who wish to participate in the upcoming process to join the workshop. “In preparation for the upcoming licensing process, stakeholders must read the Community Broadcasting Services Regulations”, says Adv. Mkumatela. 

The workshop will be held as follows:

Date : 18 July 2024 

Time: 09h00 A.M (SAST) 

Venue: Virtual Hearing (Microsoft Teams) 

Meeting Link: :  Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 398 206 220 472 Passcode: Kz6FUj

For enquiries, please contact Mr Pascalis Adams on (012) 568 4085 or padams@icasa.org.za. Ends…