PRETORIA - The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA Authority) received an application by Primedia (Pty) Ltd t/a 94.5 KFM (“94.5 KFM”) to amend its Radio Frequency Spectrum (“RFS”) and Individual Commercial Sound Broadcasting Service (I-CSBS) licences.
94.5 KFM submitted the amendment application on 19 December 2024, in terms of section 10(1)(c) and 34(2)(b) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005).
The amendments sought by 94.5 KFM comprised two main components, namely:
-Expansion of coverage within its existing licensed area through the addition of four gap-filler transmitters.
-Expansion of 94.5 KFM’s coverage area into the Northern Cape Secondary Market, through the inclusion of transmitters in Kimberley, Colesberg, Kuruman, Kuruman Hills and Upington, together with amendments to its local content obligations and community-related obligations.
Following its consideration of the application, the ICASA Council at its meeting held on 18 August 2026, resolved to approve the amendment of 94.5 KFM’s RFS licence within its existing coverage area, by the addition of three gap-filler transmitters, namely, Plettenberg Bay 107.5 MHz, Sea Point 100.7 MHz and Franschhoek 89.8 MHz, while refusing the addition of Simonstown 107.4 MHz frequency due to harmful interference caused to another licensee, namely: CCFM.
The Authority further resolved to refuse 94.5 KFM’s amendment of it’s I-CSBS and RFS licences to extend coverage in the Secondary Market of the Northern Cape Province. Consequently, the Authority refused the inclusion of the following frequencies, namely: Upington 93.5 MHz, Kuruman 98.4 MHz, Kuruman Hills 104.2 MHz, Colesberg 97 MHz, and Kimberly 95.4 MHz. Furthermore, the Authority rejected the proposed I-CSBS amendments related to local content obligations and community-related obligations.
Stakeholders can access the Authority's reasons for its decision on the ICASA website via the following link: https://www.icasa.org.za/pages/licence-amendments and in the Authority's Library at Block B, Eco Point Office Park, 350 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Centurion, during normal office hours.
Ends…
For all media enquiries, please contact: