The SABC NewsBreak service unveiled a mobile news service in isiZulu at a function held at the SABC Durban offices yesterday.
To access the latest audio news headlines, dial 082 152 and select option nine. When calling from outside SA, callers should dial +27 82 152 or +27 82 234 2900.
NewsBreak, now in its fourth year, is a mobile news service, offered by the national broadcaster to provide news updates, sports, traveller's weather, financial indicators and an automated matric results service.
The SABC is offering the service through a private-public partnership involving Vodacom, which provides the network infrastructure and additional marketing support and Marketel, an official information service provider to Vodacom, which provides technical support for the service.
"The language expansion is part of the national broadcaster's plans to offer indigenous language for its news services," said Judy Sandison, SABC new media editor.
"Ukhozi FM listeners and anyone who needs to catch up with the news in between bulletins can dial the service round-the-clock, even when they are travelling overseas," said Sandison.
"The SABC intends to expand the isiZulu service to carry other menu options in response to user needs. The SABC news presenters will update the line hourly between 05h30 and 21h30, and more frequently in the event of major breaking news.
"Journalists will compile and present the news content using the latest digital editing technology," she said.
Plans to expand the news service in other languages, including Sesotho, Afrikaans and isiXhosa should be implemented in 2006, she said.
Calls to the news service are charged at standard value added services rates and free minutes do not apply, Sandison concluded.
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