Everyday various sectors across our continent are adjusting and finding ways to deal with challenges brought about by the current coronavirus pandemic. Given MultiChoice Group’s position in Africa’s video entertainment sector, the group is acutely aware of the challenges their partners in the industry are facing. At this time MultiChoice will be standing by them.
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.
For many years MultiChoice has been a leader in the sector and are a leading
investor in local content production. The group has deep rooted partnerships
and long-standing commitments that have grown the industry for the benefit of
many, both in front and behind the camera.
It is for this reason 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.
MultiChoice has set aside R80 million
to ensure that current productions are able to pay full salaries of cast, crew,
and creatives for the months of March and April, by when hopefully we will
have the worst of the disruptions behind us. The need to secure salaries
of our creatives goes a long way in creating income stability for them and
their families. We believe this to be critical for the industry and in our view
simply the right thing to do.
Through the MultiChoice Talent Factory
we 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.
Furthermore, we have committed
to guarantee the incomes of freelancers in our SuperSport Productions, who
are currently unable to work due to the suspension of sport and the national
lockdown. This extends to guaranteeing the income of freelancers in our
broadcast technology environment.
