EFF Leader, Julius Malema. Picture: Instagram.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema has slammed the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) streaming app, SABC+, as “frustrating and useless”.
His opinion has resonated with many South Africans who have echoed his sentiments on X, highlighting the ongoing issues faced by users of the app.
He posted: “This SABC Plus is frustrating and useless.”
He further joked that Special Investigating Unit should address some of the concerns.
“Perhaps it would be helpful if the SIU could look into who developed the App to address some of these concerns. 🤷🏿♂️🤣,” mocking the situation while also bringing attention to the widespread dissatisfaction among the user base.
This SABC Plus is frustrating and useless. Perhaps it would be helpful if the SIU could look into who developed the App to address some of these concerns. 🤷🏿♂️🤣
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) January 29, 2025
@SABCPlus quickly responded to Malema with: “Mr Malema, we’re so sorry to hear that you’re not finding joy with our platform. Let’s chat via DM so we can get this sorted out ASAP.”
Mr Malema, we’re so sorry to hear that you’re not finding joy with our platform. Let’s chat via DM so we can get this sorted out ASAP.
— SABC+ (@SABCPlus) January 29, 2025
Since launching in November 2022, SABC+ was intended to provide South Africans with a wide range of content, including access to 19 radio stations, three free-to-air TV channels - SABC1, SABC2, and S3, as well as the SABC sports channel and a 24-hour news channel.
Also part of its offerings are various local and international programmes, designed to further fulfil the organisation’s mission to inform, educate, and entertain citizens.
Despite these offerings, the app has been plagued by technical issues since shortly after its launch.
Many users have reported constant crashes and high data consumption.
@visse_ss commented: “That app is a complete disaster and consumes a huge amount of data. It worked as promised for a week after its launch, but then everything started falling apart.”
That app is a complete disaster and consumes a huge amount of data. It worked as promised for a week after its launch, but then everything started falling apart.
— Ntokozo Masuku (@visse_ss) January 29, 2025
@MPhil_Sithole wrote: “The fact that I was trying to watch stuff there about few minutes ago & it kept on buffering. And here I find this tweet. 😂 They must improve that App, we mustn’t watch things on WMC platforms even when the national broadcaster has something to air.”
The fact that I was trying to watch stuff there about few minutes ago & it kept on buffering. And here I find this tweet. 😂
— Mphiliseni kaMfungelwa Sithole (@MPhil_Sithole) January 29, 2025
They must improve that App, we mustn’t watch things on WMC platforms even when the national broadcaster has something to air.
@MilanoMaake voiced frustrations over live channel interruptions: “Very useless. Always cancels the shows mid-live on SABC live channels.”
Very useless. Always cancels the shows mid-live on SABC live channels
— Pope Mila 🗽🇿🇦 (@MilanoMaake) January 29, 2025
However, not all feedback has been negative. Some users defended the app, with @TheWitchetal commenting, “It's working properly. It has never given me problem and I watch it daily.”
It's working properly. It has never given me problem and I watch it daily
— Atul & Rajesh Combo🌎 (@TheWitchetal) January 29, 2025
As the public outcry continues, it remains to be seen how the SABC will address these concerns and ensure the reliability of SABC+ in a competitive streaming market.
SABC was approached for an official comment but none was received by the time of publishing.