Joburg hospital inspires tv drama

A new South African and Canadian collaboration is paving the way for hundreds of new television jobs: Jozi-H is a fast paced hospital drama series, combining medicine with drama, complex characters and intriguing storylines that tackles the relevant issues in SA today.

Inspired by Johannesburg Hospital's trauma centre, Jozi-H tells the story of a dedicated group of local and international medical professionals, fighting the ravages of sickness and injury in a health system stretched far beyond its means.

Created by Mfundi Vundla of Morula Pictures in conjunction with Canadian producers Alfons Adetuyi and Amos Adetuyi of Inner City Films, the first season of 13 episodes is scheduled for broadcast on e-tv and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with funding coming from Industrial Development Corporation and Telefilm Canada.

Vundla says Jozi-H will provide a sustainable training environment that will promote real opportunities to previously disenfranchised individuals.

The producers estimate that Jozi-H will be capable of providing employment to over 800 individuals from Alexandra, Soweto and a number of other communities in the Gauteng region.

These include electrical and construction employment as well as specialized television production jobs including grips, camera assistants, catering, make-up, wardrobe, book-keeping, actors, extras, researchers and writers.

Jozi-H is currently running an intensive writers' workshop involving 10 writers from across the country selected from over 70 applicants. They will be among the first round of trainees that will have an opportunity to join the Jozi-H writing team.