Public Tender for a Feasibility Study into a Children's Television Service
for Africa

SABC has identified an opportunity to make indigenous children's television
programming more widely available to broadcasters throughout Africa -
programmes which reflect the life experiences and cultures of African
children, affirm their sense of self and place, and provide them with
entertainment, information and education to promote their positive social,
cognitive and emotional development. On a daily basis, a block of
programming for children and young people will be made available free-to-air
via terrestrial broadcasters for re-transmission in African countries
interested in partnering with the SABC. Starting with one hour per day, the
programmes will span a range of genres, providing 'edutainment' for children
at home and supporting formal schooling where appropriate. Largely
indigenous in nature, the programmes will be delivered in English and each
partner country will customize the block according to its needs and context.
Partners are likely to include broadcasters in Africa (initially in
Anglophone Africa), international broadcasters interested in co-productions
and other forms of partnership, the Union of African Broadcasters (URTNA),
Unicef SA, donors, sponsors and producers interested in co-production
opportunities. Countries initially to be approached for partnership are
likely to include Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Seychelles,
Mauritius, Zimbabwe and Namibia. To turn this opportunity into a reality,
the SABC seeks to commission a Feasibility Study. The study will be
conducted in collaboration with the Union of African Broadcasters (URTNA)
and interested partners, and will produce two deliverables: a research
report and a business plan. Objectives include: delivering a sustainable
African children's programming block from South Africa for licensing and
customisation by different African broadcasters; and facilitating further
indigenous production for African children's programming through
co-productions, barters and other collaborative efforts. Closing date for
tenders is 28 February 2002.

Contact: Ilzé Nix, SABC Education Television, tel: +27 11 714-5969, fax: +27
11 714-6835, email: [email protected], www.sabceducation.co.za
NF148/BN/Msc