The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) have signed a R10 million agreement to to support the Nelson Mandela Bay region’s film industry infrastructure.
The agreement involves the establishment of a Film Industry Infrastructure Support Hub at the Aberdeen’s building in Russell Road and a R5 million injection from the ECDC towards attracting film productions to the region, to reduce the cost of filming and the establishment of film infrastructure, amongst others.
“The migration of talent due to a lack of opportunities in the film industry and other sectors, affects local government authorities directly as we lose ratepayers to other cities.
“The ripple effect is severely felt when it comes to revenue collection. It is therefore incumbent on us to create opportunities and a conducive environment for startups and established business to thrive.
“We are therefore incredibly happy to support the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between two important government entities in order for the Eastern Cape Film Industry to grow,” Mayor Van Niekerk said.
The agreement, signed at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Sport Museum , will be in place until the end of September 2026.
MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mlungisi Mvoko said the film industry is not just a source of entertainment; it is also 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 Municipality.
“Provincial government has availed financial support through ECDC to make sure film studios come into reality for the benefit of our local creatives,” says Eastern Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mlungisi Mvoko.
ECDC chief executive officer Ayanda Wakaba says since 2018, the ECDC has invested R39 million into 25 film productions on behalf of government.
In turn, this funding has attracted 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 benefitted from these productions being produced in the province.
MBDA Chief Executive Officer Anele Qaba says 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 Municipality.
“Provincial government has availed financial support through ECDC to make sure film studios come into reality for the benefit of our local creatives.
“The most pressing challenge that the ECDC and the MBDA identified and now agree on, are challenges faced by the industry in terms of film production infrastructure. For example, people would find it hard to come shoot here as they had to bring truckloads of production equipment which is a costly exercise for national and international filmmakers.
“In addition, the value adds, the editing and final production would need to be sent out of town, creating value elsewhere, also migrating all the skills to other centres. We want the full value chain to remain in our city to improve job creation, revenue generation and all related benefits such as tourism growth through extended stays and spend in the city,” Qaba added.
*Statement courtesy of the Mandela Bay Development Agency and the Eastern Cape Development Corporation.
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