South Africa-based satellite TV service provider MultiChoice, has set aside R80m ($4.5m) to ensure that current productions are able to pay full salaries of cast, crew and creatives for the months of March and April, group spokesperson, Benedict Maaga has said.
Maaga explained that MultiChoice has decided to implement several measures, aimed at safe guarding the incomes of cast, crew, and creatives as well as the sustainability of production houses. With these measures, the group can hopefully steer the industry through this tumultuous time.
The coronavirus is spreading rapidly in South Africa, with more than 1000 cases just 22 days after the first case was confirmed. One people has also died in the Western Cape, on the first day of the 21-day lockdown.
Calvo Mawela, chief executive, MultiChoice Group, said the company’s main concern was to ensure as much as possible that it secures the incomes of creatives, cast and crew over the lockdown period.
“Our main concern is to ensure as much as possible that we secure the incomes of creatives, cast and crew over this period. We want to ensure that they and their families are not negatively impacted as work has come to a standstill,” he said.
Multichoice said various sectors across the continent were adjusting and finding ways to deal with challenges brought about by the current coronavirus pandemic. The group said it was is acutely aware of the challenges their partners in the industry are facing.
He said across the continent business and industry is experiencing disruptions and delays.
“In South Africa, production has come to a complete halt as the industry adheres to the national lockdown. We believe this to be critical for the industry and in our view simply the right thing to do,” he added.
Mawela pointed out that through the MultiChoice Talent Factory it will be launching an online learning portal that will support over 40 000 members of the industry to gain access to courses and online master classes, so they can continue to hone their craft whilst adhering to the public health measures of social distancing and isolation..
