The first experimental radio broadcast in South Africa takes place

Date: 18 Dec 1923
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

On 18 December 1923 the first experimental radio broadcast in South Africa took place in Johannesburg. The Broadcast was of a music concert and was made by the Western Electric Company. Radio broadcast has grown since then to include Public, Commercial and community radio stations. According to research there are approximately 15.4 million radio sets in South Africa, with 30 million listeners tuning in everyday. The devises to access radio stations have also grown to include mobile phones and PCs.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01Burger, D. (ed) (2002). South Africa Yearbook 2001/02, Pretoria: GCIS, p. 122.
02South Africa Info South Africa's radio stations[online] Available at: www.southafrica.info[Accessed on 28 October 2013]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). The first experimental radio broadcast in South Africa takes place. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011460

South African History Online (2011) 'The first experimental radio broadcast in South Africa takes place', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011460 (Accessed: 22 July 2026).

South African History Online, The first experimental radio broadcast in South Africa takes place [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011460, (accessed 22 July 2026).

"The first experimental radio broadcast in South Africa takes place." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011460. Accessed 22 July 2026.

South African History Online. "The first experimental radio broadcast in South Africa takes place." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011460.