The newly formed trade union for media and the arts, the South African Media
Creative and Cultural Workers Union (SAMCCWU), has welcomed the statement
made by the minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, at a recent meeting with film industry stakeholders held in Johannesburg.
SAMCCWU said that the lack of a clear local film distribution strategy, under-representation of black people in the ownership of production, lack of industry
transformation and the continued non-existence of exhibition infrastructure in
townships and villages, is a matter of concern for the union. However, the union
supports the minister’s intention to continue the debate with a view to identify both
short-term and long-term solutions.
“We welcome Minister Mthethwa’s initiative to create a positive platform for
dialogue amongst stakeholders including filmmakers, producers and distributors on
these critical matters. We agree that the current state of affairs cannot continue if
we are committed to creating a vibrant and flourishing film and television industry
in South Africa’ says Basil Dube, interim general secretary of SAMCCWU.
Dube said that the mass production of local content, as well as its promotion and
distribution, cannot emerge in a sector that is unregulated and where there is
limited participation by the majority of the people. He said that the government
should increase its funding towards locally produced movies if they expect the
industry to flourish and create more jobs. Dube said that black filmmakers were still
allocated shoe-string budgets whilst their white counter-parts and their foreign
partners were allocated billions of rands through co-production, a space where few
black people participate.
“SAMCCWU will engage with the minister to discuss a number of critical issues
including the creation of a regulatory framework for the local film industry,
promotion of local content, employment equity, skills development, investment and
the development of a national film distribution strategy,’ said Dube.
The union said that it will ensure that the minister’s remark concerning the need
to create an enabling environment for supporting the development of digital
cinemas in townships and rural areas, is translated into action.
“Twenty one years into our democracy, the masses of our people still do not have
access to cinemas in their own areas. It is time for constructive dialogue and
action,’ Dube concluded.
