The new arrangement, which will lead to increased partnership and exchanges in radio broadcasting between the two organisations was signed by SABC's CEO Peter Matlare and BBC's Broadcasting Manager for Africa, Michel Lobelle.

Lobelle said, " We have a long record of co-operation, including programme exchange, technical help and special events. This new arrangement will allow all the SABC radio channels to access the BBC news offer as well as sports and other programming. We look forward to further widening this focused co-operation."

Among worldwide broadcasters, the BBC has the biggest newsgathering operation in Africa. Its Africa news editor, Milton Nkosi, who is a South African himself, is confident that through this agreement, SABC will receive the best quality material and expertise from his teams across the continent.

BBC World Service broadcasts more than 25 hours of programmes a week specifically for Africa. Among these, Network Africa sets the day's agenda with a popular mix of news, sport, features and music, while Focus on Africa is a daily round-up of news and analysis from around the continent.

At least 150 million people around the world listen to BBC World Service every week. The BBC World Service broadcasts in 43 languages.