Tau Goes Silent on R663 Million in Film Industry Rebates

Statement by Toby Chance MP – DA Spokesperson on Trade, Industry and Competition:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for a debate of national importance in Parliament to urgently address the crisis facing South Africa’s film and television industry.

The DA supports the hundreds of industry professionals marching to Parliament today to protest the non-payment of R663 million in rebates owed to them — a failure that threatens the survival of the industry and the loss of thousands of jobs.

We have written to Minister Tau to demand that he revive the Film and Television Incentive Programme and address the sector’s complaints. For over 20 years, this programme has been a cornerstone of South Africa’s film industry, attracting major global productions and creating high-value, high-employment opportunities.

Camera operators, grips, sound engineers, producers, directors, actors, make-up artists, travel operators, and many more professionals now face indefinite unemployment as production companies abandon South Africa for countries like Malta and Portugal, which offer thriving incentive programmes.

The DTIC has allowed this programme to wither, with the last adjudication panel meeting taking place in March 2024. In response to a written question, Minister Tau admitted that lack of funds has stalled payments. This is unacceptable: companies spent millions of rands in good faith, relying on approved projects and promised rebates.

Meanwhile, Tau is willing to allocate billions to programmes with far lower returns, including a proposed Afreximbank loan to fund the Transformation Fund.

Minister Tau must restart the Film and Television Incentive Programme immediately and pay all outstanding rebates. Further delays risk the collapse of a once-thriving industry and the erasure of South Africa’s world-renowned scenery and heritage from screens across the globe.