TikToker asks: "Why does a TV licence exist?"
A Korean woman who has been living in South Africa for a while asks South Africans an honest question – what's the purpose of a TV licence?
When foreigners start questioning things you’ve been side-eyeing your whole life, you can bet South Africans will show up in the comments.
Eodum Chan Kim, a Korean content creator married to an Afrikaans-speaking South African, often shares snippets of her life in SA. But in a recent TikTok video, she raised a question that hit home for many locals.
Sitting on her couch, she admitted there's one thing about South Africa she just can’t wrap her head around – what exactly is the purpose of a TV licence?
What puzzled her most was the fact that a TV licence didn’t involve any kind of test or qualification – there’s no effort required to get one, yet it’s mandatory when buying a TV in South Africa.
According to the SABC: “A television licence secures your legal viewing for an entire year and is payable in advance. First-time applicants for a television licence must pay the full annual fee of R265.
"Renewals must be made annually before the licence expires. Renewal payments may be spread throughout the year at R28 per month. Monthly payments are subject to a small premium for convenience. The total cost is, therefore, R336 per year.”
Watch her video from TikTok.
@eodumkim Like why??😭 #tiktoksouthafrica #fyp #southafricatiktok🇿🇦 ♬ original sound - Eodum Chan Kim🇿🇦🇰🇷
READ MORE: High Court halts analogue TV switch-off
While many South Africans were quick to admit they don’t quite get the point of a TV licence either, others did their best to explain it to Eodum:
"As a South African, I think all SA are just as confused as you."
"I told them that I don't watch TV I have TikTok now."
"It's a TV tax labelled as a licence."
"South African government charges people for having a TV. And you have to pay for it for the rest of your life, even when you have sold that TV and never bought another one. They will assume you have a TV."
As strange as it may seem, having – and paying for – a TV licence is required by law in South Africa.
Skip it, and you could find yourself racking up some hefty penalties over time.
Tune in to the 'Workzone with Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp', weekdays from 09:00 – 12:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Image courtesy of iStock