KwaZulu-Natal Business 2023-24
A unique guide to business and investment in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The 2023/24 edition of KwaZulu-Natal Business is the 15th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2008, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the KwaZulu-Natal Province. In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, there is a special feature on the growth and importance of the recycling sector, with increasing activity covering cover paper, board, e-waste and rubber. The overview of the regional economy notes the importance of energy and the steps being taken by KwaZulu-Natal to turn Richards Bay into an energy hub. The fact that the province is also angling to create additional Special Economic Zones suggests that the two existing zones, at Richards Bay and the Dube TradePort at King Shaka International Airport, are living up to expectations in terms of attracting investment and boosting employment. The creation of a joint venture by Transnet and a private operator of ports is a significant step for the Port of Durban. To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www.globalafricanetwork.com under ebooks. Updated information on KwaZulu-Natal is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces, our flagship South African Business title and the latest addition to our list of publications, Journal of African Business, which was launched in 2020.
A unique guide to business and investment in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.
The 2023/24 edition of KwaZulu-Natal Business is the 15th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2008, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, there is a special feature on the growth and importance of the recycling sector, with increasing activity covering cover paper, board, e-waste and rubber.
The overview of the regional economy notes the importance of energy and the steps being taken by KwaZulu-Natal to turn Richards Bay into an energy hub. The fact that the province is also angling to create additional Special Economic Zones suggests that the two existing zones, at Richards Bay and the Dube TradePort at King Shaka International Airport, are living up to expectations in terms of attracting investment and boosting employment. The creation of a joint venture by Transnet and a private operator of ports is a significant step for the Port of Durban.
To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www.globalafricanetwork.com under ebooks. Updated information on KwaZulu-Natal is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces, our flagship South African Business title and the latest addition to our list of publications, Journal of African Business, which was launched in 2020.
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OVERVIEW<br />
Film<br />
Small studios are taking centre stage.<br />
Small film production companies celebrated in <strong>2023</strong> when the<br />
Micro Budget Film Fund of the Durban Film Office (DFO) handed<br />
over five substantial cheques to allow them to bring their<br />
projects to completion and achieve high production standards.<br />
Cheques of R250 000 were presented at a ceremony at the<br />
Barnyard Theatre Suncoast on 19 May <strong>2023</strong>. Among the recipients<br />
were BTS Films (Pty) Ltd which secured funding for “The Life<br />
Between Us”, while Lwazi Duma Entertainment received support for<br />
“Thulebone” and Umqhele Films (Pty) Ltd was awarded funding for its<br />
project, “Amalootist” (Youth in the midst of war).<br />
This initiative aims to invigorate the growth of Durban’s film<br />
industry and provide vital support to emerging local filmmakers by<br />
fostering a platform for their talent to flourish. Celebrating its 20th<br />
anniversary in <strong>2023</strong>, the DFO has played a pivotal role in positioning<br />
Durban as a globally competitive film city.<br />
The DFO has two other development programmes targeting<br />
filmmakers at different levels in the industry: the Development<br />
Fund Grant and Festivals and the Markets Support Grant. Together,<br />
these programmes aim to support intermediate and experienced<br />
producers and local emerging filmmakers based in Durban. Also,<br />
to provide opportunities for skills development and market<br />
access, expose local talent to international audiences and to<br />
promote local films.<br />
The KZN Film Industry Transformation Initiative (FITI) is another<br />
strategy to support previously disadvantaged and emerging<br />
filmmakers. Administered by the <strong>KwaZulu</strong>-<strong>Natal</strong> Film Commission, the<br />
one-year FITI aims to increase skills levels with a view to individuals<br />
being able to advance to senior positions within the industry.<br />
The first edition of the Durban International Film Festival<br />
(DIFF) was held in 1979 and its reputation has been building ever<br />
since. In <strong>2023</strong>, 3 000 films from 137 countries were viewed over<br />
10 days. Presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University<br />
of Kwazulu-<strong>Natal</strong>, a number of prizes are on offer, including Best<br />
Feature Film, Best African Feature Film, Best South African Feature<br />
Film and Best Documentary. The programme also encompasses the<br />
Isiphethu International Student Film Festival, open to filmmakers<br />
ONLINE RESOURCES<br />
Durban Film Office: www.film.durban.gov.za<br />
Centre for Creative Arts: www.cca.ukzn.ac.za<br />
Durban Film Mart: www.durbanfilmmart.co.za<br />
<strong>KwaZulu</strong>-<strong>Natal</strong> Film Commission: www.kznfilm.co.za<br />
The 45th Durban<br />
International Film Festival<br />
will be held in 20<strong>24</strong>.<br />
Simphiwe Ngcobo, Regional Manager<br />
of SABC, Nise Malange, Chairperson<br />
of KZN Film, Xolani Gumbi and Ismail<br />
Mahomed, Director of the Centre for<br />
Creative Arts.<br />
at tertiary institutions. The 45th<br />
edition of the DIFF will be held<br />
in July 20<strong>24</strong>.<br />
The Durban FilmMart<br />
Institute hosts an annual<br />
Durban FilmMart that in <strong>2023</strong><br />
attracted 1 018 delegates from<br />
43 countries. The four-day<br />
industry event is a finance and<br />
co-production market designed<br />
to create partnerships and<br />
further the development and<br />
production of African cinema.<br />
In <strong>2023</strong> it was held under the<br />
title of “African Constellations”<br />
and featured 28 official projects,<br />
seven partner projects and<br />
44 industry sessions. Primary<br />
funding is received from the<br />
Durban Film Office and the<br />
eThekwini Municipality. ■<br />
KWAZULU-NATAL BUSINESS <strong>2023</strong>/<strong>24</strong><br />
28 PHOTO: Aphiwe Moyo, Behind The Lens Photography
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