The chief operating officer of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Mr Hlaudi Motsoeneng, has announced that Phalaphala FM will relocate from Polokwane to Thohoyandou in September.
He made the announcement during the rebranding of the station's new logo at 2Ten Hotel last Wednesday.
The broadcaster has implemented many changes to its broadcasting and editorial policies over the past few weeks.
Last month, the SABC announced that it would no longer give coverage to images of property being destroyed during violent protests. “If we as a public broadcaster can’t defend our own languages, our languages will disappear. We need to make sure that we treat all languages equally. So within television platforms from the first of July, you will see a different SABC … I have been saying to colleagues that transformation is not negotiable, we just implement it.”
King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana has welcomed the SABC's decision to relocate Phalaphala FM to Thohoyandou. The relocation of the station is part of a long-standing agreement between the SABC and Vhavenda traditional leaders. "We welcome the move and are happy about the it." He said that the move would be very difficult, especially for Phalaphala FM employees to relocate with their families.
”Kids are already at school and some have families working in Polokwane. Most of you have houses around there and to move and start a new life will be difficult,” said Mphephu.
King Mphephu-Ramabulana has also welcomed the SABC's stance on not broadcasting footage of protesters destroying public property.
