Siphosethu Makatsi from Ncerha village never thought she would one day qualify as a scriptwriter.
That was until Makatsi, who not long ago was unemployed, was offered an internship at the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC).
She was among a group of 67 learners who recently graduated from the Monyetla Work Readiness Programme (MWRP) run by the ECDC through its Eastern Cape local content hub.
Of the 67, 50 have qualified for national certificates in film and TV production, while 17 qualified in information technology: end user computing.
MWRP is a national government initiative running since 2008 under the Department of Trade and Industry and is designed to provide unemployed youth with exposure to employment opportunities.
ECDC is currently the only approved participant of the programme in the Eastern Cape for the 2015-16 cycle.
The programme, a four-month intensive in-class training session, started at the end of March 2015.
ECDC acting chief executive Ndzondelelo Dlulane said they had already offered 39 of the film and TV production graduates a 12-month internship, which will see them sharpen their skills in all aspects of TV production – from research and content development to scriptwriting, videography, editing and administration.
“Film and IT are growth and priority sectors that still need a significant amount of support and development because they hold substantial economic benefit,” said Dlulane.
Dlulane said some of the interns had already started shooting a documentary in Mdantsane, which is aimed at capturing life in the township and challenges faced by its youth.
He said for now all the content created would be archived.
Makatsi, 23, who was unable to further her studies after matric due to financial constraints, said through MWRP she has discovered a talent she never knew she had.
“I never thought that I had any writing skills but now I’m currently working on writing a script for a Xhosa drama loosely based on challenges facing the youth in Ncerha, which will then be developed for film production,” said Makatsi.
Another intern, Bongeziwe Khuzwayo, 24, who holds a diploma in public relations, said she was excited about her future because of the skills she had gained.
“It’s been a good experience. I am being trained as a TV presenter but I am also learning how to develop content and scriptwriting and I can comfortably operate the camera.
“I never thought that the Eastern Cape had opportunities like this,” said Khuzwayo. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
East Cape interns earn break into film industry
That was until Makatsi, who not long ago was unemployed, was offered an internship at the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC).
She was among a group of 67 learners who recently graduated from the Monyetla Work Readiness Programme (MWRP) run by the ECDC through its Eastern Cape local content hub.
Of the 67, 50 have qualified for national certificates in film and TV production, while 17 qualified in information technology: end user computing.
MWRP is a national government initiative running since 2008 under the Department of Trade and Industry and is designed to provide unemployed youth with exposure to employment opportunities.
ECDC is currently the only approved participant of the programme in the Eastern Cape for the 2015-16 cycle.
The programme, a four-month intensive in-class training session, started at the end of March 2015.
ECDC acting chief executive Ndzondelelo Dlulane said they had already offered 39 of the film and TV production graduates a 12-month internship, which will see them sharpen their skills in all aspects of TV production – from research and content development to scriptwriting, videography, editing and administration.
“Film and IT are growth and priority sectors that still need a significant amount of support and development because they hold substantial economic benefit,” said Dlulane.
Dlulane said some of the interns had already started shooting a documentary in Mdantsane, which is aimed at capturing life in the township and challenges faced by its youth.
He said for now all the content created would be archived.
Makatsi, 23, who was unable to further her studies after matric due to financial constraints, said through MWRP she has discovered a talent she never knew she had.
“I never thought that I had any writing skills but now I’m currently working on writing a script for a Xhosa drama loosely based on challenges facing the youth in Ncerha, which will then be developed for film production,” said Makatsi.
Another intern, Bongeziwe Khuzwayo, 24, who holds a diploma in public relations, said she was excited about her future because of the skills she had gained.
“It’s been a good experience. I am being trained as a TV presenter but I am also learning how to develop content and scriptwriting and I can comfortably operate the camera.
“I never thought that the Eastern Cape had opportunities like this,” said Khuzwayo. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
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