Women in the KZN film and tourism industries are on the cusp of receiving a boost from the recently formed KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority as the new entity is planning to prioritise a variety of initiatives that will transform their lives.
This will mean focused support for small-to-medium sized enterprises, training and education courses, targeted funding and participation in skills development programmes.
The entity’s five-year strategic plan particularly targets women participation in all KZN Tourism and Film Authority’s programmes and outcomes. KZN Tourism and Film Authority wants at least 50% to 70% of participants to be women.
“There is a renewed enthusiasm to ensure that we meet these targets and improve the lives of women. There have been a lot of achievements in both the tourism and film industries, and more are in the pipeline with the merger, and while these should be celebrated, a more concerted effort is necessary to ensure that female empowerment extends even further,” said KZN Tourism and Film Authority, Interim CEO Sibusiso Gumbi.
“We are intentional in our efforts to transform the tourism and film industries and grant access to areas that were previously inaccessible to black individuals, particularly women.
“We want a tourism and film industry that is transformed, competitive and sustainable and women have an important role to play.”
Jackie Motsepe, the Chief Operations Officer of KZN Tourism and Film Authority, said the new organisation had already been instrumental in the development of industry skills to guarantee that the KZN film industry is staffed by a competent workforce.
‘’We want to encourage small black-owned enterprises by supporting their activities and plans. We want to increase the number of emerging women filmmakers attending markets and festivals, where there is the opportunity to source funding and clinch distribution deals.
“And we want to increase the number of isiZulu made-for-TV movies funded and the number of jobs and bursaries awarded.’’
Ms Motsepe added that not only is the five-year plan intended to increase the number of women professionals in both industries, it is also aimed at improving the quality of films and tourist offerings.
‘’This nurturing, training and development of women will aid the growth of a talent pool. I cannot stress it enough that skills development is a huge priority in both sectors.’’
She noted that numerous women were trailblazers at the recent Simon Mabhunu Sabela honours. Among the recipients were Cynthia Shange, who was awarded the Lifetime Achiever title; Deli Malinga, who was recognised as the best actress in television; Slindile Nodangala, who was recognised as the best supporting actress in television; and Caroline Doherty, who was recognised for the effective use of KZN as a filming location.
She added that it was also important to note that more than 70% of the films screened at last month’s Durban International Film Festival featured women in the main roles of production, direction, scriptwriting, and performance. The festival’s management and operational aspects were overseen by 95% black African women. There are also several women out of the seven festival director and managers who are being incubated at the Centre for Creative Arts, sponsored by KZN Tourism and Film Authority.
