Fire Breaks Out at SABC's Aging Auckland Park Headquarters, Prompting Swift Evacuation

Following many years of limited maintenance and prevailing dilapidation issues, the South African Broadcasting Corporation's (SABC) Auckland Park headquarters experienced a notable evacuation following a fire outbreak on the ground floor’s lift pit area on Thursday. Interestingly, this incident came on the heels of discussions on Wednesday about improving the outdated facilities.

During a meeting with the parliamentary portfolio committee on communications and digital technologies on Wednesday, SABC's Chief Financial Officer, Yolande van Biljon disclosed the ailing state of its facilities. Particular attention was drawn to the Auckland Park headquarters, marked as over 45 years old without considerable refurbishment for the last 15 years.

Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Natasha Mazzone raised inquiries about the dewindling state of SABC buildings, highlighting water shortages and malfunctioning air-conditioning systems in studios. Subsequently, Van Biljon acknowledged these claims and faulted the water deficiencies on Johannesburg's wider issue of water cuts.

She explained the severe impact of water shortages on their machinery and subsequently, their operations; "We don’t have water to run our chillers, which power our air conditioners." Plans are now underway to ensure a water backup system, lasting about two-and-a-half days, on campus.

Van Biljon confessed that the corporation's aged facilities, particularly those that hadn't received substantial investment into their infrastructure over the last 15 years, were in dire need of an extensive makeover. According to her, plans for improving the workspace strategy are becoming concrete. This includes a complete overhaul of the Henley facility, housing the studios and news facilities, to align with best office space practices.

The CFO stated that a significant investment of R238m was being channelled into enhancing software and related technology in the news division alone. This project commenced last year and is anticipated to run for another four years.

In a bid to augment their financial resources, SABC intends to amass approximately R121m from property sales nationwide. However, these plans have been tainted with a fire outbreak, evident in a post shared by journalist Anton Harber on former Twitter platform, X, reporting firsthand no air-conditioning and water facilities as well as faulty sound systems over the weekend.