The Eastern Cape government wants to pump more money into the entertainment industry by building film studios in the province.
This follows the success of Gqeberha: The Empire, which was cancelled after two seasons.
The series boasted an impressive cast, including award-winning actors Zikhona Sodlaka and Mbulelo Grootboom.
The production of the first season saw 788 people in the province employed.
Even more were employed during season two’s production.
The announcement was made by finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko on Tuesday when he tabled the province’s medium-term budget policy statement at the Bhisho legislature.
Mvoko said the province had seen a boom in the film and creative industries after a decision was made during the 2018/2019 financial year to establish the Eastern Cape Film Investment Fund.
Since then, Mvoko said, R72.7m had been allocated to the fund, which attracted external investment funding worth R506m.
It created 8,274 jobs and supported 758 small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
“To further develop the film industry, the province, working through the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and ECPACC (Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council) is planning on investing in film infrastructure through establishing film studios,” Mvoko said.
“The aim is to attract 15 productions a year through our film production facilities.
“With support from external funders, this project promises to attract more than R200m investments per year that could potentially create 2,283 jobs and benefit 386 SMMEs in the province.”
Season one of the Gqeberha-based telenovela was filmed entirely on location in different parts of New Brighton.
However, after a cash injection in 2023, the show’s creators, Tshedza Pictures, acquired a warehouse in Deal Party and converted it into a film studio.
During his speech, Mvoko touched on the mooted Transnet Ukuvusela Gauteng-Eastern Cape high-capacity rail corridor.
He said the project was driven at a national level and once in operation, would ease pressure from the KwaZulu-Natal line, with cargo being divided between the ports in Durban and Gqeberha.
“The project seeks to upgrade the south corridor railway line and port infrastructure for automotive handling.
“Transnet is partnering with government and funding institutions to expand the southern corridor rail network.
“The plan is to increase the rail capacity in the corridor by three additional daily 50-wagon sets between the Port of Port Elizabeth and Gauteng for automotive logistics.
“The private sector will be leveraged to invest in the project and provide experience and expertise in facilitating freight rail of 150,000 fully built units per annum by 2026 on the south corridor.
“The project is expected to create 9,500 indirect jobs and 2,500 direct jobs in the province at an investment value of R8.4bn,” Mvoko said.
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