SACIA’s Broadcast Industry Group was originally established during the late-1990’s as a technical forum that allowed broadcast engineers to share ideas and information on the technologies shaping their future. While many of the original founders of the forum have now retired, others remain involved more than 25 years later.

In its original form, the group organised site visits to various studios and broadcast facilities, allowing broadcast engineers to learn from the experience of their colleagues as we went “behind the scenes” to learn what was going on in broadcast studios around the country.

In 2010 the BIG group was established as a special interest group within SACIA and within this new structure, we established relationships with several international Associations, including the IABM, the International Moving Image Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.

We established an active training programme and are now recognised as one of the leading CPD training providers for the broadcast and communications sector. Over the last decade we have delivered advanced technical and operational training to more than 1,500 broadcast industry professionals working across the SADC region.

We also award three professional designations that are registered with SAQA.

• The SACIA Certified BCT Associate designation is awarded to individuals who can demonstrate a broad understanding of technology used in broadcast production, management or distribution
• The SACIA Certified BCT Practitioner designation is awarded to individuals who can demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of technology used in broadcast production, management and distribution, and
• The SACIA Certified BCT Professional designation is awarded to individuals who can demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of broadcast production, management and distribution, as well as a deep understanding of any one of these fields.

These designations are also broad enough to accommodate individuals working in the wider film and television industry, including camera operators, audio and post-production specialists, animators, editors, graphic designers, etc. 

Individuals applying for a designation are assessed based on a review of their education, work experience and work ethic. Candidates are also required to provide a portfolio of evidence supporting their claim of competence.

Members are required to adhere to a code of conduct that guides their actions and are expected to align their professional activities and practices to the legislation, standards and bylaws applicable to the broadcast industry. Members are also required to participate in a programme of continuing professional development (CPD) that keeps them up to date with the trends and technologies shaping the future of the broadcast and communications sector.

The BIG Council is elected from amongst those SACIA members involved in the broadcast and communications sector and each elected member serves for a 2-year period. Current council members include Aldred Dreyer, Tinus Smit, Mngani Mkhize (chair), Nontokozo Mhlongo, Merlin Naicker and Simon Herold. Kevan Jones serves as Executive Director