Pretoria – Communications Deputy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has encouraged young people to tap into the development of local content, as the broadcasting and media industry has career opportunities.
“It opens the doors to exciting fields such as concept creation, script writing, producing, sound, editing, post-production and broadcasting. We must encourage our youth to seize these opportunities and participate in the country’s economy,” Deputy Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams said on Thursday.
She was speaking in Johannesburg during the launch of a book titled The Praised Breadwinner by Nonhlanhla Mnisi.
The Department of Communications is working to enhance local content development through its Audio Visual Content Development Strategy. The strategy proposes the establishment of content generation hubs in rural areas.
“Initiatives such as the Film & TV Production skills programme, which we conducted in partnership with the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) and Atos, has given 150 young people a foothold in the broadcasting sector.
“Through the National Film and Video Foundation, training is provided for script writing and internships,” Deputy Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams said.
She said the foundation supports South African-owned production companies and prioritises projects of national importance and proposals that contain local content and have empowerment or training components.
“Government has also identified the film industry as a sector with excellent potential for growth and is regarded as a catalyst for both direct and indirect employment of people from different sectors of the economy,” Deputy Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams said.
She said young people have a vital role to play in the country’s economy.
“I encourage the youth to consider becoming active participants in our economy by starting their own business. We are a nation teeming with opportunity and need energetic young people in the area of business,” Deputy Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams said. – SAnews.gov.za
