“SABC3 has supported the deaf community in South Africa in a significant way over the past years through DTV, the popular programme made by and for the deaf. The community is very important to the SABC and to the channel in particular and so it gives us real pleasure in being able to provide ‘wall to wall’ subtitling on Isidingo from this week on. Our hope is that it will enhance the viewing pleasure of the community and grant them full access to South Africa’s most popular soapie,” says Ed Worster, SABC3 acting general manager.

The addition of subtitles to the programme, which stars Robert Whitehead as the irascible Barker Haines, Michelle Botes as the scheming Cherel De Villiers and Vusi Kunene as businessman Jefferson Sibeko, reflects the station’s ongoing support for the deaf community and fostering deaf pride.

SABC3 has aired the magazine programme DTV since 1996 and this platform, which connects deaf people with sign language, has proven to be an example for programmes across the world, such as Vee-TV in the UK. Proudly for the deaf, by the deaf and made accessible to a broader audience through subtitles and voiceovers, DTV airs on SABC3 on Sundays at 11:30 and is presented by Candice Morgan.

SABC3’s commitment to motivate and empower, is reflected in a range of programmes including Around Iceland on Inspiration, the South African travel documentary series which premiered in December and aired on Sundays at 18:00. Following extreme adventurer Riaan Manser and cerebral palsy suffered Dan Skinstad as they circumnavigate Iceland on kayaks in a 116-day expedition, Around Iceland on Inspiration is an encouragement for those who are afflicted by physical limitations.