Creative industries key to preserving national identity

THE Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) is committed to bringing the creative industries into the mainstream to provide economic and transformation tools for the vast majority of South Africans, according to Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture Dr Joe Phaahla.

Speaking at ' Gauteng through the eyes and minds of young filmmakers' of Big Fish School recently, the deputy Minister said the creative industries sector forms an essential part of South Africa’s New Growth Path for economic growth. Government appreciates that the arts make a significant contribution to the GDP of the nation.

“The annual GDP figures show that there has been on average 14 percent growth per annum in total GDP contribution by the South African Film Industry to the economy over the last six years.

“Our strategy, Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE), builds on existing initiatives, expanding and scaling up existing institutions. DAC has established multi-stakeholder project task teams to implement this.

“The MGE has modelled large scale, high impact programmes maximising growth and the employment potential of the sector are being implemented. These are being constantly monitored and evaluated to guide future decision making in these projects which includes establishing a national skills academy for the arts.”

Phaahla said the Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking has a proud history of working in conjunction with the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC).

“The Big Fish was the 2006 flagship project for a unit in our Department called Investing in Culture. Big Fish received three years of funding to create opportunities for previously disadvantaged individuals to gain skills and employment in the film and television industry. It was the first incubator of its kind, unfortunately it was concluded in 2009.

“In 2008 Big Fish was the recipient of the Investing in Culture platinum award by then Minister, Dr Z Pallo Jordan, in recognition of excellence in technical innovation, capacity building and sustainability for outstanding performance.

“Big Fish have received a number of key accolades, both national and international, that demonstrate their effectiveness and success in filling the skills gap and providing workplace experience in an innovative way. To date over 800 full time students have been trained with 85 percent employment rate achieved for former students. The remaining 15 percent are among those working on their own projects.