When the film sector in the Eastern Cape is mentioned, local filmmaker, Nceba Mqolomba’s name is notable because of the work he has done so far to develop the province through film.
Mqolomba is the founder and director of the EC Film Festival which is held every December, and is also the Chairman of the Eastern Cape Film Forum. Two years ago, he scooped the Outstanding Provincial Contributor Award at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) held in the North West.
His career in the film industry started in 1999, and since then he has worked in a number of productions including The Toasty Show, All You Need Is Love, Khumbul’ ekhaya, Walala Wasala, to name a few.
At the recent signing of the Memorandum of Agreement into film infrastructure investment by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), Mqolomba shared his testimony as one of the creatives whose productions were recently approved.
“Initiatives like these are important, because telling our own stories as South African, and especially Eastern Cape creative is important. We need local talent to be at the centre of it all, in front of and behind the camera, writing the scripts, the film score, cinematography, makeup, costume, even down to the daily catering, venues and all. It all needs to be by us, for us. We should not wait for someone to come from elsewhere to do something that we could have done ourselves.”
Earmarked to run over a three-year period, from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026, the newly signed agreement is intended to attract and retain film productions in the region, increase the induced film tourism in the region,promote the region as a film destination of choice while reducing the cost of filming in the region. In terms of the agreement, the ECDC will make available an initial budget of R5 million towards the realisation of these objectives. In turn, the MBDA will make available the property or land valued at R5 million to set up the desired film infrastructure. The MBDA has committed the Aberdeen building as part of the agreement as the first hub for film industry infrastructure support.
Eastern Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mlungisi Mvoko said, “The film industry is not just a source of entertainment; it is a platform for innovation, cultural expression, and social transformation. It is also an invaluable instrument of socio-economic transformation, with the potential to make an indelible mark on our unemployment challenges, skills development, revenue generation and contribution to provincial Gross Domestic Product. It carries a myriad of opportunities for the small business sector in the Eastern Cape. This is why this R10 million Memorandum of Agreement between the ECDC and MBDA is critical in our film sector support packages. This strategic partnership is designed to lobby private and public partnership investments to establish a film studio and other related facilities in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. Provincial government has availed financial support through ECDC to make sure film studios come into reality for the benefit of our local creatives.”
ECDC CEO Ayanda Wakaba said since 2018, the ECDC has invested R39 million into 25 film productions on behalf of government. In turn, this funding has attracted an investment revenue of R499 million into the Eastern Cape while creating short-term employment for 8 400 people, with the majority being young people. In addition, a total of 690 local small businesses have benefited from these productions being produced in the province.
“Developed infrastructure is critical for the growth of the industry. For the Eastern Cape film industry,
infrastructure development encompasses a wide range of activities which are aimed at the establishment of the
necessary physical infrastructure for production film studios and equipment hire companies. High production
costs are still the main stumbling block in increasing the output of the Eastern Cape film industry as most
filmmakers do not have the upfront production cost funding needed to begin filming,” Wakaba explained.
MBDA CEO Anele Qaba said this strategic partnership is poised to lobby private and public partnership investments to establish a film studio and other related facilities in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. Provincial government has availed financial support through ECDC to make sure film studios come into reality for the benefit of local creatives.
