Filmmakers side-lined as Gauteng Film Commission blows budget on staff salaries

Issued by Lebo More MPL – DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture
21 Aug 2019 in Press Statements

Young and talented filming makers in Gauteng, many of whom seek the assistance of the Gauteng Film Commission will not receive financial support from the Commission as more than 50 per cent of the entity’s budget has been spent on staff salaries.

This shocking revelation was made by Gauteng MEC for Sports, Recreation, Arts, and Culture and Recreation (SRAC), Mbali Hlophe as well as the Acting CEO of the Gauteng Film Commission, Ms Simangele Sekgobela to the Gauteng Legislature’s portfolio committee for SRAC.

According to MEC Hlophe, of the 22 staff members of the Gauteng Film Commission ten are managers.

This means that there is almost one manger per subordinate staff member.

Sadly, the Commission has become a job employment agency, rather than what it’s core mandate stipulates – supporting and growing the film makers and the film industry in Gauteng.

There must be urgent action taken to stop the unnecessary bloat in the Commission.

This is another example of how the ANC government in Gauteng has misused public funds to support the lifestyles of cadres and not those who are deserving of support.

I will write to the MEC to ascertain when the staff organogram in the Commission will be readjusted to reflect its mandate of supporting, young and aspiring talent.