The South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) has formally accused the SABC of inadequately and insufficiently representing the Hindu faith across its broadcasting platforms, stating that the public broadcaster has failed to deliver timely and meaningful Hindu programming.
The organization has urged the SABC board to conduct an investigation into what it terms the 'persistent marginalisation' of Hindu content. These concerns were detailed in a letter dispatched last Thursday to the SABC’s board chairperson, Dr Khathutshelo Ramukumba, and other board members.
Professor Brij Maharaj, serving as the SAHMS’s deputy president, noted that the group had made multiple efforts to engage with the SABC, specifically regarding its program, Sadhana: The Inward Path. Prior to this latest action, SAHMS had communicated with the SABC in October of the previous year and again in February.
Furthermore, in April, SAHMS sought intervention from the office of the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi. Maharaj reiterated concerns about the excessive re-broadcasting of old material, the noticeable lack of new programming, the opacity surrounding content selection, and the absence of consultation with recognized South African Hindu groups.
Maharaj pointed out that although the SABC acknowledged these issues, citing financial limitations and promising schedule refreshes and new acquisitions, subsequent events indicated that the core problems remained unresolved. A specific point of contention was the lack of programming dedicated to Kavady during its observance period from January 27 to February 1, 2026, even though the SABC possessed archival footage of the event.
He argued that broadcasting unrelated observances months later was more than just a scheduling mistake; it signaled a worrying deficit in understanding, sensitivity, and responsiveness to the religious calendar and the actual experiences of South African Hindus. Maharaj emphasized that as a public broadcaster funded to serve all South Africans, the SABC has a constitutional duty to ensure fair, equitable, and meaningful representation for minority faiths, framing the issue as one of inclusion and dignity, not mere programming preference.
The SAHMS leader also highlighted the substantial contributions the Hindu community has made to South Africa’s social, cultural, and economic growth over more than a century, finding it disheartening that its heritage receives minimal attention from the national broadcaster.
The organization is now demanding a comprehensive strategy to enhance the quality, relevance, and variety of Hindu programming. They requested that the SABC board mandate a review of the current status of Hindu religious programming, investigate the reasons behind recurring content failures, and establish proper channels for ongoing dialogue with nationally representative Hindu bodies, stressing that their concerns stem from a desire for the SABC to fulfill its role in reflecting South Africa's full societal diversity.
In response, Mmoni Ngubane, the SABC's head of communications, confirmed receipt of the letter and thanked SAHMS for their involvement. She affirmed the value of Sadhana: The Inward Path and pledged commitment to ongoing discussions with SAHMS and other faith-based organizations as they enhance their programming.
Ngubane characterized the absence of Kavady coverage as a 'scheduling oversight and not a deliberate decision,' noting that festival content is spread across various series and that repeats are currently airing as part of a wider corporate effort to update schedules. She assured that religious programming is managed by an experienced team adhering to SABC's Editorial Policies and corporate governance frameworks, which ensure professional and fair content decisions.
She further stated that the SABC engages with faith communities, including SAHMS, and plans to broaden these interactions. Ngubane acknowledged past financial pressures impacting content investment but assured that as the SABC's position stabilizes, they are renewing schedules and acquiring new content, committing to reviewing Hindu programming to reflect South Africa's cultural and spiritual diversity.
Support for SAHMS came from Sidney Govindsamy, chairperson of the Devasthanam Foundation of South Africa, the National Council of South Indian Temples, who expressed disappointment over the perceived marginalization of Hinduism. He argued that failing to cover a major sacred observance, especially when archives exist, misses an educational opportunity for the public regarding Hindu traditions. Govindsamy proposed creating a Hindu Religious Programming Consultative Forum.
Additionally, Rajendran Govender, a social anthropologist and researcher and commissioner for the CRL Rights Commission, commented that religious programming is vital for preserving identity and transmitting values. He noted that when a national broadcaster neglects significant religious observances, minority communities can feel overlooked, underscoring the importance of consultation to ensure content is accurate, respectful, and reflective of the communities served.
