Korean in SA asks: “Why do we need a TV licence?”
"There is one thing I really don't understand in South Africa: the TV licence."
Every country has its quirks, and South Africa is no exception. For many foreigners, a few local norms can be downright baffling.
One of those, it turns out, is the concept of a TV licence.
Korean content creator Eodum Chan Kim, who has lived in South Africa for four years, recently took to social media to ask locals: What exactly is the point of a TV licence?
Kim, who’s married to an Afrikaans-speaking South African and once went viral for her deep dive into braai culture, shared her confusion over why it's called a licence when there’s no test involved, and why you need one just to buy a television.
READ MORE: American living in SA mistaken for local
To answer your question, Kim, the SABC says that a TV licence is essentially your legal permission to watch television for a full year – and it must be paid upfront.
First-time applicants are required to pay the full annual fee of R265. Renewals need to be done before the licence expires and can be paid in monthly instalments of R28. However, opting for monthly payments comes with a small convenience fee, bringing the total to R336 per year.
It might seem like a formality to some, but skipping your TV licence can rack up serious penalties – 10% per month, up to a maximum of 100% per year.
Check out her video below from TikTok.
Watch on TikTok
Some South Africans chimed in to share their thoughts.
One person commented, "We don’t understand TV licences either." Another suggested she just uses someone else’s licence to buy a TV.
"I told them I don’t watch TV I have TikTok now," a third person said.
In an age where most people get their content from social media and streaming platforms, the idea of a TV licence can feel outdated, but it’s still a legal requirement in South Africa, governed by national broadcasting regulations.
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