Eastern Cape Business 2023-24
The 2023/24 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 16th edition of this successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is supporting this issue of the journal, both in providing up-to-date information for editorial use and in sharing information about its activities. It will also distribute the journal through its regular channels. The Eastern Cape’s multi-faceted approach to the challenges and opportunities of sustainability are explored in a special feature. From caring for agricultural land through partnerships between farmers, wool brokers and fashion houses, to solar panels and improved lighting and water systems, companies are finding ways to incorporate sensible and profitable solutions into their business models. The Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency celebrates a significant milestone this year, it being 20 years since it began operations.
The 2023/24 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 16th edition of this successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is supporting this issue
of the journal, both in providing up-to-date information for editorial use and in sharing information about its activities. It will also distribute the journal through its regular channels.
The Eastern Cape’s multi-faceted approach to the challenges and opportunities of sustainability are explored in a special feature. From caring for agricultural land through partnerships between farmers, wool brokers and fashion houses, to solar panels and improved lighting and water systems, companies are finding ways to incorporate sensible and profitable solutions into their business models. The Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency celebrates a significant milestone this year, it being 20 years since it began operations.
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OVERVIEW<br />
Film<br />
Investment in film is creating good returns.<br />
SECTOR INSIGHT<br />
The Dam drama series has<br />
attracted viewers and<br />
award nominations.<br />
The <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> Provincial Government, through the<br />
<strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> Development Corporation, invested<br />
R23-million over four years in the film industry.<br />
The return on this investment was a highly-creditable<br />
R389-million with the creation of 6 900 jobs and 572 SMMEs<br />
benefitting during the production phases.<br />
The Economic Impact Report of the National Film and Video<br />
Foundation in 2021 concluded that the film industry is one of the<br />
sectors with the greatest potential for growth in South Africa.<br />
In addition to concrete financial benefits, the rewards to the<br />
province of having tens of thousands of TV series and film watchers<br />
soaking up the scenery of the province, while difficult to quantify, will<br />
be considerable. About 13 projects were supported, including one of<br />
the top ten most-watched television shows on Showmax in 2021, The<br />
Dam. Set in an <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> farming community, this psychological<br />
thriller was one of the most nominated series at the 2022 South African<br />
Film and Television Awards.<br />
Tourism, one of the best sectors for creating employment, will have<br />
been boosted by two series of the popular Survivor series. Survivor:<br />
Immunity Island, pictured, which was aired in 2021, showed off the<br />
glories of the Wild Coast landscape, one of the jewels in the crown of<br />
the province’s tourism offering.<br />
Skills transfer to young<br />
people has also accelerated with<br />
the investments taking place in<br />
four of the province’s district or<br />
metropolitan municipalities.<br />
The six goals outlined by the<br />
ECDC as its goals in supporting the<br />
development of the film industry<br />
in the province are:<br />
• attract major direct investments<br />
on a consistent basis<br />
• create a number of temporary<br />
and permanent jobs<br />
• promote the province as a film<br />
tourism destination<br />
• increase the participation by<br />
SMMEs during filming<br />
• increase opportunities for skills<br />
enhancement for young people<br />
• increase revenue through the<br />
contribution of film production<br />
companies to taxes<br />
There is also potential for the<br />
growth and development of a<br />
thriving film industry to have a<br />
positive impact on other sectors<br />
such as communication, media<br />
and entertainment.<br />
The industry, through its<br />
products, further promotes cultural<br />
knowledge and attracts international<br />
interest to the region. ■<br />
ONLINE RESOURCES<br />
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition: www.thedtic.gov.za<br />
<strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> Development Corporation: www.ecdc.co.za<br />
Film and Publication Board: www.fpb.org.za<br />
National Film and Video Foundation: www.nfvf.co.za<br />
EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS <strong>2023</strong>/<strong>24</strong> 32
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