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The King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality, in partnership with Mango Media, recently hosted a film workshop at Mthatha Stadium in Mthatha.

The spokesperson for the King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality, Sonwabo Mampoza, said the workshop marked a significant milestone in the region’s film industry.

This innovative project aimed to create awareness about the television and film sector, build capacity, and upskill filmmakers to make them employable in national productions. The initiative has a dual focus: developing a local crew to create authentic and compelling content for township and international markets, while also promoting sustainability.
Mampoza

He added that the project addresses critical social issues, including social cohesion, the lack of sector development, high unemployment rates, and the absence of authentic, valuable content on television screens.

Mampoza confirmed that this was the first time the municipality hosted a film workshop and highlighted the remarkable outcomes, with 39 youths attending.

“The programme was specifically designed to establish a strong foundation in storytelling, catering to individuals already in the industry who lack formal film training. It also targeted those interested in the sector but unsure about career paths, as well as filmmakers seeking to hone their skills and further develop them.”

Mampoza noted that the partnership between the KSD Municipality and Mango Media is set to continue, with plans to host more capacity-building initiatives. A series of workshops and training sessions are scheduled for January 2025, with 50 participants expected to be trained, ensuring the growth and development of local filmmakers.

The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Rural Economic Development, Councillor Mkanyiseli Dudumayo, emphasised that the workshop is a crucial step towards unlocking the creative potential of local filmmakers.

He added that nurturing this creativity is of utmost importance, and the municipality fully supports the initiative, looking forward to its positive impact on communities.

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