Sithengi CEO steps aside

Auret says: "In taking on the Sithengi project in 2001 I was faced with a great challenge - to take a small poorly funded organisation which hosted the Sithengi Market and make it into the biggest film and TV event in Africa, at the same time adding value to the offering to all stakeholders in the industry."

"The vision incorporated in the business plan adopted by the Board in 2001 has now been achieved and the successes now have to be consolidated and deepened. It is time for me to hand over the baton to someone else who can bring a new energy into the organisation.

"Of course I want to continue to support the organisation to ensure that there is continuity and an adequate transfer of knowledge and contacts and as such I will remain on as a consultant until the next festival to help make 2006 another successful year for Sithengi."

Chairperson of the board, Eddie Mbalo, acknowledged the great strides that have been made in taking Sithengi forward: "The Cape Town World Cinema Festival and Sithengi Film and TV Market are now the biggest Film and TV events in Africa and have been established as institutions on the calendar of the African and global industries.

"We acknowledge the contribution of our CEO in realizing his vision and hope that his continued work with the organisation will help the new CEO to take the events to greater heights.

"The position is now being advertised in the press and on the Sithengi website and we hope that people of caliber will see this as an exciting opportunity to make a contribution to the development of the industry in Africa."