By: Natasha Archary

The restaurant industry is calling on DStv to review the price increase of its packages ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023.
Wendy Alberts, Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA) CEO, says the 50% price hikes will make it unaffordable for the hospitality industry to screen major sporting events to their patrons.
With the Rugby World Cup 2023 kicking off this weekend from Friday, 08 September, and the SABC not having any broadcast rights to the sporting event, this leaves the monopoly with Supersport, the premium sports channel on DStv.
While Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa urged both the SABC and Supersport to find a solution which will mean all South Africans can watch the Rugby WC, it seems his attempt was in vain.
South Africans were left fuming when the SABC refused to pay R37.7 million to MultiChoice for the rights to broadcast the Rugby World Cup.
This means that the only platform that will cover the Rugby WC games is Supersport, which alienates a majority of South Africans.
Most are relying on catching the games at a restaurant, or pub so they will not miss out, but Wendy shares with Gugulethu Mfuphi on Kaya Biz, that some restaurants are not going to be able to afford increases of up to 50% and an unannounced change for restaurant subscribers.
“The calculated timing of this massive 50% price increase is designed to hold our members and the broader hospitality industry to ransom.
This Rugby World Cup is a much-needed opportunity to bring South Africans from all walks of life together, proudly supporting our country.
RASA has engaged with DStv to do the right thing and review its pricing model, and have approached the Competition Commission to investigate.”
Wendy says RASA will continue to lobby for what’s best for the industry, country, and economy in the event its attempts to engage with DStv to resolve the pricing issue is not successful.
Listen to the conversation on Kaya Biz:
Also read: Pensioners left empty handed due to technical glitch with grants



