Tshikululu Social Investments to administer the R8 million Netflix
donation to help support the hardest hit below-the-line workers whose
productions were suspended due to the pandemic
Johannesburg, South Africa: July 28, 2020 - Today, the South African Screen Federation (SASFED), supported by the Independent Producers Organisation (IPO), announced
the establishment of a COVID-19 Film and Television Relief Fund in
collaboration with Netflix to provide emergency
relief to the hardest-hit workers in South Africa’s creative
community.
Netflix will donate over ZAR 8, 3 million, which will be administered by
Tshikululu Social Investment, who will screen the applications for eligibility
as well as disburse the funds to beneficiaries.
The Covid-19 pandemic has devastated creative communities all around the
world, including South Africa, with many film and TV productions experiencing
disruptions that have left thousands of workers without income. Netflix, in
collaboration with SASFED and the IPO, will provide a one-time emergency relief
grant to below the line workers such as electricians, carpenters, hair and
makeup artists, drivers, costume designers and many other freelancers who are
paid hourly wages and work on a project-to-project basis. The workers will be
eligible to apply for the R15 000 one-time benefit.
Starting from August 3, 2020 the members of South Africa’s creative
community will be able to apply by filling out an online application at
Tshikululu’s website (tshikululu.org.za) or mailing physical applications. The
eligibility criteria will be posted on Tshikululu’s website on 3 August 2020
when applications open.
Unathi Malunga, SASFED Executive Director: “SASFED is delighted about the
announcement that the COVID-19 Film and Television Relief Fund will provide
relief for workers in the film and TV sector who are not eligible for other
available relief funds. The S.A. economy has been hard hit by the COVID-19
pandemic. The Netflix fund supporting the local film industry brings hope to
struggling industry professionals. We hope other potential partners will follow
Netflix's example and support SASFED’s broader initiatives which offer
assistance to industry professionals across the whole value chain - an
initiative undertaken by industry, for the industry. SASFED applauds Netflix's
support of the local industry during the global crisis."
Sisanda Henna, IPO co-Chairperson: “Following months of extreme hardship for most of
our sector, the IPO is overjoyed that Netflix is providing this desperately-needed
relief for those most hard hit by the pandemic – the industry’s below-the-line
freelancers to whom no other relief has been available. This is a clear
demonstration of Netflix’s commitment to the sustainability of the South
African film and TV production industry, and we welcome them – with wide open
arms – as a partner in our broader efforts to support the screen sector.”
Dorothy Ghettuba, Netflix’s lead for African Originals: “We’re
proud to be working with The South African Screen Federation and the
Independent Producers Organisation to support the hardest hit workers in TV and
film production. South African crews are vital to Netflix’s success and we want
to help those freelancers who most need support in these unprecedented times.”
In March, Netflix announced a $100M hardship fund to help the
hardest-hit workers in the creative community across the world affected by the
pandemic, which has since been increased to $150M. The ZAR 8, 3 million
contribution in South Africa is part of this initiative.
***
About SASFED:
Known as “The
leading voice and champion of the South African Screen Industry,” the South
African Screen Federation (SASFED) is the national federation of independent
film, television and audio-visual industry organisations in South Africa.
SASFED is proudly representative of the collective core of South Africa’s
independent screen industry and is driven and rooted in an appreciation of the
specific interests, concerns and programmes of each of its members, with
current full member organisations: Documentary Filmmakers’ Association (DFA),
Independent Producers’ Organisation (IPO), Personal Managers’ Association
(PMA), Animation South Africa (A.S.A), South African Guild of Actors (SAGA),
Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT), South African Guild of Editors
(SAGE) and Writers’ Guild of South Africa (WGSA).
About the IPO:
The Independent
Producers Organisation (IPO) is a representative, national organisation of
independent South African film, television and video producers, and is
constituted to represent, protect and promote the interests and needs of
producers. The IPO currently represents the interests of over eighty percent of
working producers in South Africa. The IPO strives towards creating an
empowered and representative film and television industry in South Africa that
ensures the advancement of a sustainable and stable environment for producers.
About Tshikululu:
Established in 1998,
Tshikululu is a Level 3 B-BBEE contributor with more than 22 years’ experience
in the social investment space. Our purpose is to catalyse social change. We
provide agile, end-to-end strategic social investment solutions, informed by
our real world experience and our deep understanding of South Africa’s social
landscape. We deliver through hands-on engagement with our programme partners,
clients and other stakeholders. As custodians of some of the country’s largest
social investment programmes, non-negotiable adherence to strict corporate
governance best practices is paramount to how we operate. We are the most
concentrated group of social investment experts in South Africa, with more than
60 highly-experienced and dynamic social investment professionals. Social
investment is serious business. Bringing about real, lasting change requires
high-level skills, thinking and drive. In order to achieve our goals, we will
always apply our minds, learn continuously, push our limits, form powerful
partnerships and never compromise on quality. We aim, very simply, to be the
best social investors in the world.
About Netflix:
Netflix
is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 193 million paid
memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature
films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much
as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can
play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.
Media Contacts:
Theo Nel
theo@eclipsepr.co.za
