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Johannesburg – M-Net says the South African pay-TV broadcaster is committed to strengthening and building the country’s television and film industry and is committed to investing billions of rands to tell local stories and produce compelling content in viewers’ own languages.
"By investing literally billions of rand in compelling local content across the continent, we're able to tell stories that resonate with our audiences – not only reflecting the current reality, but also affecting their hopes and dreams for the future," said Yolisa Phahle, the new M-Net CEO for South Africa.
Phahle spoke at M-Net and MultiChoice's Galaxy of Stars celebration event held on Saturday night at Gallagher Estate where the Randburg-based South African pay-TV broadcaster and MultiChoice which runs the DStv service, celebrated the billion rand annual investment they're making into local TV content.
Galaxy of Stars as a made-for-TV event will be broadcast on M-Net (DStv 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Saturday 9 August at 14:00 and 21:30.
"Quite rightly we tell local stories in our own languages. M-Net's passion for the continent we call home, translates into an investment of over R1bn a year," said Phahle.
Phahle addressed the 400 strong audience consisting out of South Africa's top TV talent both on-screen, as well the TV executives and producers working behind the scenes across various of the M-Net supplied TV channels to DStv. Also seated in the audience were government and regulatory officials, TV guilds and union representatives, as well as TV critics and press.
M-Net is creating the M-Net Film and TV Academy which will, from 2015, expose, train and raise up the next generation of content creators as a finishing school for South Africa’s local film and TV industry.
Transformation of the industry
"This investment of R1bn a year is not only in the people, but it is also in the infrastructure," said Phahle.
"Most important of all is our continued commitment to the transformation of our industry. Because I believe that all sustainable business is a consequence of not just serving your immediate consumers or viewers or customers."
"I know that the way to do well, is to make sure that you serve not only consumers, not only customers, but communities, cities, and your country. It is in this way, with your continued co-operation, collaboration, that together we can create a long-lasting film and television industry in Africa, for Africans".
We've very, very glad to be able to play a part in contributing to the success of the local television industry," said Nolo Letele, the chairperson of MultiChoice South Africa at the event.
The important thing is that Africa's voice at last is beginning to be heard. Taking our stories to international platforms are good for South Africa and it's good for the rest of the continent as well because we are able to display our diverse environment to the whole world," said Letele.
"As a result South Africa has now become a very sought-after location for international productions. Growing the local television and film industry means making a significant and ongoing investment in local content."
Game-changer for the industry
Imtiaz Patel, the CEO of MultiChoice South Africa called the The R1bn a year that is invested in local content “a game-changer for the industry".
“I feel privileged to be part of a company that has created the platform for talent to emerge and flourish and to be making a real difference to the lives of our people," said Patel.
