SIX aspiring Durban film-makers have been given the opportunity to work behind the scenes on one of South Africa’s most watched soapies, Uzalo, which boasts a viewership of almost three million per day.
EThekwini Municipality, through its film industry development unit the Durban Film Office, facilitated the year long placement of the six trainees who will gain experience by working on the popular SABC 1 drama series.
This is the second year that the trainee programme, which covers a number of areas of film-making including sound, camera, make-up and hair, art, continuity and wardrobe, is being run by Stained Glass Productions. The programme aims to empower young people and create more technically savvy people for the local film industry.
The six Durban youth, who were selected from over 70 applications, include Pinky Sozombile (make-up and hair), Slindokuhle Msomi (continuity), Thokozani Mahaye (sound), Mbusi Harrison Msane (art department), Philile Masondo (camera) and Ntombifuthi Zakwe (wardrobe).
“There is nothing better than learning through experience. Programmes like this play an instrumental role in enabling Durban to grow its share in the market. The programme has supported 11 trainees over the past 18 months, many of whom continue to work for Uzalo. We are pleased to see the high level of commitment and enthusiasm shown by these six young people, and appreciate the contribution Stained Glass Productions is making to develop the local pool of skills in the industry,” said Toni Monty, head of the Durban Film Office.
