Johannesburg, July 2019: SABC is paying tribute to one of its employees who's played a key role over several decades in introducing and implementing new technology at the state broadcaster.

Peter Knevitt joined the company in 1977 and was involved in a string of technical advances including:

• Being part of the team who created the first cricket third umpire system and developed the first stump cameras for the SABC.
• Designing and building one of the first control systems to perform vision control of wireless RF cameras.
• Introducing IP comms to the SABC which was successfully used by SABC Sport and Super Sport during the recent London Olympics for their production comms.
• Under his stewardship, his technical team completed the regional editing upgrade project wherein all the SABC regional News facilities, across the country, were converted from analogue to nonlinear digital editing systems.
• Delivering an ingenious technical solution, particularly for the SABC News, by putting together an unconventional hybrid satellite technology, in partnership with ND Satcom, that enables deployment of crews anywhere and anytime using IP over Mobile networks and Satellite Links.

David Mathe, who is acting General Manager at SABC TVBR, said: "Unlike most retirees, at the end of their tenure, Pete is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, he has upped a gear, in his new role as the acting Technical Support Manager, by implementing various new projects. He indeed has the purpose and passion of one who has just been hired rather than that of someone who is about to retire."

He added, "Pete’s footsteps are deeply engraved in South African broadcasting’s technical fraternity and any one worth his salt, will doff their hat to him in admiration of all his achievements and more so in respect for his quiet demeanour. He has occupied many roles during his long illustrious career at the SABC but his most significant role still remains that of a Principal Technologist (Hi-Tech Manager), during which time he set the broadcasting scene alight with multiple broadcasting firsts."

"His most incredible achievement though, and one that is constantly overlooked, is the legacy that he has left at the SABC. Pete has inspired many a young technician at the SABC and he leaves behind a team that is as capable and willing to lift the SABC to the next level of broadcasting excellence."

"For now though, we would just like to acknowledge the indelible mark that Pete has made at the SABC during his illustrious career. We consider ourselves extremely lucky to have brushed shoulders and worked with such an unassuming genius. May his future endeavors be as or more fruitful than his past wins."

http://web.sabc.co.za/sabc/home/tvob