Call for NFVF Council nominations

The NFVF Council is appointed by the minister of arts and culture to oversee the implementation of the NFVF objectives, while the CEO is responsible for the management of the affairs of the council, with the objectives of the NFVF being the primary concern. These include creating an environment that develops and promotes the South African film and television industry locally and internationally, and to address the historical imbalances in the infrastructure and distribution of skills and resources.

The NFVF Council has been under the chairmanship of Charlotte Mampane for the past three years.

Mbalo to retire

Following an NFVF Council meeting held on 2 September 2010, the NFVF has now also announced that its CEO Eddie Mbalo will retire from his position at the end of the financial year on 31 March 2011. His contract, which was due to expire on 31 August this year, has also been extended. Mbalo has been CEO since 2001 and has been credited with the delivery of unqualified audit reports** since he launched the institution.

At the council meeting, the NFVF presented its 2009/10 annual report and noted with acknowledgement how stable the foundation has been under its leadership and the stewardship of Mbalo. According to a press statement, "The fact that the foundation continues to serve the film industry with limited resources, empowers its employees providing them opportunities to undertake development programmes, speaks volumes."

The NFVF employees' satisfaction did not go unnoticed: in 2009 they nominated Mbalo for the MTN Boss of the Year and he was one of the 6 finalists from over 300 nominees countrywide.

Expresses appreciation

In the 2009/10 annual reports, the minister of arts and culture Lulu Xingwana expresses appreciation for the role the NFVF has played throughout the years: "Having reached the 10th anniversary milestone, it's opportune that we conduct an impact assessment that will look at a number of issues pertinent to the growth and development of the industry.

"We beseech the industry and the people of South Africa to jealously guard the independence of the NFVF and ensure that it carries out its mandate without fear or favour."

Achievements of the NFVF in the past decade include:

• the adoption of the Value Charter at the Industry Indaba in 2005
  
• international recognition of South African films through the Oscar award for Tsotsi and the nominations for Yesterday and Hotel Rwanda
  
• facilitating the signing of Co-Production treaties with Canada, Germany, Italy, UK, France and Australia
  
• the promotion and use of Section 41 of the Constitution, as well as the concomitant Intergovernmental Relations Act mobilising spheres and organs of state involved in the film sector; and
  
• the initiation of the Sediba Script and Producer's development programmes.

*The ads appeared on weekend newspapers, the Sunday Times and City Press on Sunday 3 October.
**The NFVF has received a Clean Audit report for the past 10 years.

Last updated at 1.41pm on 5 October 2010.