Dstv to bring Easter service to your home
Christians will be able to tune in to their Easter services during the Covid-19 lockdown, thanks to a collaboration between the Department of Communications (DoC) and the Multichoice Group.
In response to a call from the DoC to assist the religious sector during the lockdown, DStv will launch a new pop-up channel catering for various Christianity groupings.
The channel, named Africa Easter Channel, is expected to launch on Good Friday, April 9.
The Africa Easter Channel will be broadcast on channel 343, in collaboration with the renowned TBN Africa.
Minister of communications, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams asked MultiChoice to set up a dedicated pop-up channel for various churches in the country during the Easter weekend under lockdown.
On March 23 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced various measures – including a 21-day nationwide lockdown – to curb the spread of Covid-19. The current restrictions, due to the global pandemic, will see South Africans staying at home during the Easter weekend.
As such, Africa Easter Channel’s offering of music and sermons is set to keep DStv viewers engaged and fulfilled over the four days the channel will be live.
The channel broadcast until Easter Monday, April 13.
Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams welcomed this intervention. “Communications and digital technologies will play an important role during this disaster period and beyond.
“We therefore appreciate MultiChoice’s response to our call for an industry-wide intervention to ensure that religious programming, especially over the Easter weekend, is produced and accessible to millions of South Africans.”
With religious leaders heeding the call by the President, the channel enhances the positive response received from the religious sector.
MultiChoice Group CEO, Calvo Mawela said, “We are happy to have immediately responded to the Minister’s call to assist millions of South African worshippers who regard Easter as a pivotal period of worship.
“As a responsible broadcaster, we are more than happy to partner with the Department of Communications as we afford worshippers the chance to observe Easter from the comfort of their homes.”
Popular gospel artists, such as Lebo Sekgobela, Dr Tumi, Hillsong, William McDowell and Rebecca Malope, will feature prominently on the channel’s scheduling, which will also include Methodist, Anglican and Catholic services.
“We have responded to this call by partnering with churches and some of the biggest gospel artists to bring the best Easter worship experience to as many viewers as possible,” said TBN Africa’s managing director, Lucky Mbiko.
Recorded messages submitted by the churches will be broadcast on the channel.
