SABC invests in Ikegami
SABC invests in Ikegami
Ikegami cameras are at the heart of a new studio upgrade at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), which has begun a multiyear transition to IP production at its main facility in Johannesburg.
The broadcaster has acquired 14 UHK-X600 UHD camera systems through local distributor and systems integrator Harambe. The deal, completed this week, marks the first stage of a modular upgrade programme that will eventually extend across SABC’s 11 studios.
The cameras will initially serve four studios covering news, presentation and production. The investment is part of a modular upgrade strategy shaped by funding constraints, according to Lesetja Lekgotho, GM technology operations (TV), SABC.
“Because of the funding challenges, we decided to go on a modular upgrade approach and the camera is the natural place to start with because it’s visible to the viewer’s eyes,” he said at IBC2026 in Amsterdam, adding that this will be a rolling programme that will cover all the studios.
Lekgotho acknowledged that drama and sports may require different equipment, “but based on the performance of that which we bought, I think [Ikegami] stands a good chance as well”.
The wider infrastructure transition is being driven by SABC’s adoption of an Evertz ST 2110 core router. The broadcaster is initially pursuing a hybrid approach to IP, with the new camera systems forming part of a broader move towards networked production. “Everything has to work with that, as we are building out IP capability from the inside out,” explained Lekgotho.
The Ikegami relationship stretches back more than three decades, according to Michael Laetzsch, division manager, broadcast and professional video, Ikegami Europe: “We have a very long relationship with SABC, going back more than 30 years.”
Dr Vuyo Nyembezi, group executive of technology, SABC, added: “One of my colleagues reminded me that when Nelson Mandela was released, SABC was using Ikegami to shoot on that day, and we have a big picture of the camera during that time still hanging on the wall.”
The broadcaster has also invested in 12 Ikegami UHL-X40 box cameras for the South African parliament. Installed over the summer, the 1.1kg units were selected for their compact form factor and ability to accommodate longer, higher-quality lenses than typical PTZ setups.
www.sabc.co.za
