Living Legends: Jackie Motsepe

LIVING LEGEND:

JACKIE MOTSEPE

In a brand new segment called Living Legends, we profile the people who have moulded South Africa’s film history and find out how they have contributed to its growth and development. This issue, we shine a spotlight on Jackie Motsepe, Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission.

up the role of Chief Operations Officer of the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Jackie has lived and breathed the promotion of the region. But why is it such a great place for filmmakers?

Ever the marketer, Jackie

Apowerhouse of a woman who grew up as the daughter of anti-Apartheid activists living in the UK, Brussels and Algeria, Jacqueline Motsepe is a force to be reckoned with. After studying Sociology and Psychology in Sutherland in 1989, her early career years are peppered with anti-Apartheid campaigns and steeped in South Africa’s early political movements. This includes assisting in the promotion of the Release Mandela Campaign and working with the victims of Apartheid laws and political prisoners through the International Defence and Aid Fund in the UK. She’s even served as a Personal Assistant to the Chief Representative of the African National Congress

in London. But ultimately, it was not politics that beckoned her…

A CAREER BEYOND ANTI-APARTHEID

Since her return to South Africa, Motsepe has built a career spanning over 15 years in film, broadcasting and marketing. Her accolades in the media include overall Co-Chair of the South African Film and Television Awards, President of the Jury for Films and Television at the Pan African Film Festival (FESPACO), and Head of Jury for Feature Films at AFRIFF in Nigeria.

Jackie, as she’s better known amongst her peers, played an integral part in the inception and early growth of the National Film and Video Foundation, where she was responsible for the formulation of marketing, communications and stakeholder strategies. She’s had several stints with the South African Broadcasting Corporation over the years, including GM of Acquisition for International Content for three stations, and through her work there has developed a co-production strategy for the public broadcaster. She’s even worked with the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa to formalise and manage their marketing department.

PLACING KWAZULU-NATAL FILM ON THE MAP

Developing and implementing strategies for growth is clearly one of her strong points. Since taking

KZNFC HIGHS

The KZNFC has had a tremendous impact on the local film sector. Here are just a few highlights from the last five years. • Funding of 236 projects to the value of R250 million, of which 177 are in development and 59 are in production • KZNFC-funded films have screened at over 20 international festivals and scooped awards • 2 co-productions in development and production stages with

Nigeria and UK respectively • 10 films to be developed through collaborations with indie filmmakers in Nigeria, Kenya and the UK to the value of R63.5 million • The Made for TV quality boost initiative has taken local producers through intensive mentorship programmes that include arranging pre-sale deals with broadcasters.

responds with ease: “With its warm beaches and favourable weather, KZN has always been one of the leading tourist destinations in the country and there was a clear relationship between film and tourism and how these two industries can positively affect one another.”

She adds that although still in its infancy, the region’s film sector is definitely growing. “In 2017 and 2019, KZNFC funded films have been the highest grossing local films at more than R17 million and more than R18 million respectively at the South African box office,” Jackie explains. “KZNFC-funded films have been screened in more than 20 international film festivals and some have scooped awards. KZN is also the home of two long running soapies: Uzalo and Imbewu. These have both put the province on the map and have a secure local workforce that is constantly upskilling.”

CREATING A FILM HUB OF NOTE

Since its founding in 2014, the KZN Film Commission (KZNFC) has been instrumental in the growth and development of the province. As they celebrate their fifth anniversary this year, Jackie turns an eye to the many initiatives that have assisted local filmmakers in sustaining a career in the creative fields.

“There are quite a few initiatives that are a source of great pride to us,” she says, “namely the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission Bursary Scheme, which has had a total of 138 bursary students and the KwaZulu-Natal Film Cluster.” The cluster offers up a range of solutions including shared workspaces with highspeed connectivity, affordable access to equipment, postproduction facilities, sound studios, and training programmes.

“KwaZulu-Natal also hosts community screenings throughout the province,” Jackie adds. “These are aimed at developing local audiences and ensuring that the local films are consumed by those who do not have access to cinema.” Last, but certainly not least, is their film fund, which has been a huge help in stimulating economic activity and providing jobs.

SCALING A MOUNTAIN OF CHALLENGES

Naturally, when tasked with the development of an industry still in its infancy, one has several major challenges to overcome. It has been no different for the KZNFC, whose biggest problem to date has been the skills gap. “The commission has invested millions of rand towards the development of local filmmakers through free industry workshops and training programmes,” she says, adding that talent retention is another issue they have had to grapple with.

“There aren’t enough productions to employ young filmmakers, but as the industry grows and local film producers shift towards producing more made-for-TV content, short films and feature films, we will begin to see a change. Since the film commission began operations, there are more graduates and filmmakers who are staying in the province and working in the industry. There are also filmmakers who have decided to relocate, with a few more seriously contemplating making the move.”

With two long-running soap operas based in KZN, Jackie stresses the ever-growing need for studio facilities. “The KZN film commission is working earnestly with its shareholder to ensure that we do have film studios in the near future,” she explains, saying that there is a real case for studios, and it’s only a matter of time before this becomes a reality.