Swazi Observer

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LOCAL FILM INDUSTRY, FERGUSON FILMS COLLABO ON THE CARDS

By KHETSIWE KHUMALO | 2024-04-30

MINISTER of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima met with Ferguson Films Executive Producer Connie Ferguson over possible collaborations to uplift the local film industry.

Minister Nzima met the celebrated actor and producer on Saturday morning at the Happy Valley Hotel.

The meeting was attended by Under Secretary (US) in the ministry Mzwandile Mthethwa, Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stanley Dlamini and members of the Film Producers Association.

Ferguson, who was accompanied by her sister and Manager Lorato Pilane who is also a producer at Ferguson Films, suggested that the local film producers should be sent for job-shadowing in one of their productios in order for them to gain practical experience and come back to invest their expertise in the country.

She said Ferguson Films was a huge production company with a number of qualified experts in the field of film and, therefore local producers would be exposed to vast experience.

"I understand that the film industry in Eswatini is at its infant stage and I want to encourage the Ministry to take some of the producers for job-shadowing at Ferguson Films.

It is a pity that we have finished shooting King's of Joburg season three, which could have been a good experience for them.”

Request
“However, we have a number of productions coming and my request would be for the minister and the department to officially send and cover the costs of the producers so that when they come back, they can impart the knowledge to others," she said.

It was also suggested during the meeting that the ministry should organise a two-day workshop, where Ferguson and producers from her company would empower the local film producers.
Minister Nzima committed to the growth of the industry, and said they would consider the elements suggested by Ferguson so that the local film industry could thrive.

Nzima said the country was battling with a high rate of youth unemployment, yet there was so much talent that could be exposed through collaborations with companies like Ferguson Films. He thanked Ferguson for agreeing to meet them and said the ministry would do everything in its power to implement the ideas shared.

Ferguson Films was started by the late Shona Ferguson with his wife and actress, Connie.
Their productions included Rockville, iGazi, The Gift, The Throne, The Herd, The Queen, and The Imposter. In 2020, they produced a Netflix six-part series titled Kings of Joburg.

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