Pretoria - The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa wishes to provide an update on the applications received for Community Radio services. ICASA has received a total of 91 applications for the pre-registration of Community Sound Broadcasting Service and Radio Frequency Spectrum licences following the Invitation to Pre-Register (ITP-R) issued on 10 December 2024.
Following the evaluation and review process forty (40) applications have met the pre-qualification criteria and will progress to the second phase of the licensing process. 51 applications were found to be non-compliant with the pre-qualification criteria and were disqualified due to one or a combination of the following reasons:
- Late submission of the pre-registration application;
- Non-payment or partial payment of the application fee;
- Submitted a repealed/ or recreated Form B and/or Form P;
- Did not attach a resolution of Authority signed by the board of directors/trustees;
- Submitted more than one (1) pre-registration notice to the Authority in response to the ITP-R ;
- Registered with a non-profit entity that is less than two (2) years old by the date of lodging the pre-registration notice;
- Submitted an incomplete Form B and/or Form B was not signed by a Commissioner of Oaths; and
- Submitted an incomplete Form P and/or Form P was not signed by a Commissioner of Oaths.
“Community radio remains a vital platform for local voices and access to credible information. The Authority is encouraged by the interest shown by the applicants and remain committed to strengthening community radio so that it continues to empower local economies across South Africa”, Cllr Ntombiza Sithole, Chairperson of the Community Broadcasting Committee.
As part of the second Phase of the evaluation process, ICASA now invites the public and all interested parties to submit written comments/representations on the forty (40) qualifying applications. The submitted comments will assist ICASA in assessing whether there are any objections to the applications within the affected municipalities and ensure that the licensing process supports empowerment and serves the public interest as required by the ITP-R.
Submissions must be made within fourteen (14) working days from the date of publication of the Notice.
Applicants will have the right to reply in writing to any comments/representations received. The applicants must do so within 28 working days from the publication of the Notice in the Government Gazette.
All written representations, responses and other correspondence in terms of the published Notice must be directed to Mr Pascalis Adams, Project Leader: ITP-R Community Sound Committee via email: itp-r@icasa.org.za OR at Block B, 350 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Eco Point Office Park, Eco Park, Centurion OR Private Bag X10, Highveld Park, 0169.
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