Latest news with #KwaZulu-NatalTourismandFilmAuthority
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
South African doccie about sex workers showing at Cannes film festival
The 67-minute documentary focuses on activists who have conducted a decade-long fight to reform discriminatory laws. Womxn: Working, a documentary that tells the story of a group of fearless South African sex worker activists, is showing at the Cannes Film Festival in France. 'This documentary is not just a film, it is a powerful advocacy tool that amplifies the voices of sex workers and champions the fight for decriminalisation in South Africa,' the film's producer, Tiny Mungwe, said before flying out to France. The 78th Cannes Film Festival kicked off on May 13 and ends on Saturday, May 24. ALSO READ: Denzel Washington 'blessed beyond measure' after surprise tribute at Cannes Film Festival Womxn: Working The 67-minute documentary zooms in on activists who have conducted a decade-long fight to reform discriminatory laws while working to protect the dignity of sex workers in South Africa, which is still grappling with HIV and gender-based violence. The film, which will soon be screened in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, as well as to lawmakers and politicians, is expected to raise awareness by educating and engaging the public. It is also expected to shift perceptions and build wider support. Mungwe is in the French Riviera to lobby and build relationships with global decision-makers and distributors to get her latest projects onto the international film circuit. ALSO READ: Trump's film tantrum: Brandon Auret calls on Gayton McKenzie to invest in local films Support from the province Womxn: Working was produced in Durban and is financed by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA), which has also sent two KZNTAFA representatives to Cannes with Mungwe. For more than a decade, the KZN Film Commission – now known as the KZN Tourism and Film Authority – has participated in Cannes. Each year, the KZN delegation, comprising filmmakers, officials and emerging producers, has used the festival as a springboard to build international networks, pitch co-production projects and attract foreign investment. The Commission has hosted networking events, participated in panel discussions, and partnered with national bodies such as the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) to present a unified South African presence. Acting CEO of KZN Tourism and Film Sibusiso Gumbi said consistent participation has elevated the province's global profile and led to direct economic benefits 'including location shoots in KZN by international productions and strengthened bilateral relations with foreign film commissions and skills exchange programmes for emerging filmmakers'. Earlier this month US President Donald Trump proposed a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced content shown in the US. If implemented, it would apply to locally made films, potentially even productions filmed in Mzansi locations such as KZN and series sold to the US. The Womxn: Working team believes that the documentary will position KZN as a beacon of innovation and advocacy in the film industry. Mungwe added that she had two feature films in development and had strong leads for them at Cannes. ''We also have an artist residency called Ehoin Retreat in which we run labs for the film industry. So, we took meetings with potential partners while at Cannes, proving that this is a phenomenal platform for filmmakers to attend and build solid partnerships.' NOW READ: Tom Cruise has world guessing as he unleashes 'Mission: Impossible' at Cannes
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
KZN welcomes international buyers and delegates to experience its splendour
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille and Deputy President Paul Mashatile, joined by KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and various other dignitaries, officially opened Africa's Travel Indaba 2025 by ringing the traditional Indaba Bell. Photo: Tumi Pakkies Image: Tumi Pakkies AFRICA'S Travel Indaba (ATI) 2025 not only showcases and boosts Africa's premium tourism offerings and destinations, it also emphasises KwaZulu-Natal's ethereal beauty and places South Africa at the top of the global investment map. This intercontinental landmark event, taking place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and Durban Exhibition Centre from May 13–15, is of major significance to KZN as it shines the spotlight on the province while also bringing a much needed boost to the its gross domestic product. KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, in partnership with Durban Tourism, hosted a Business Breakfast at the Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, May 13 to kick-start ATI. The theme was: 'Durban, KwaZulu-Natal abound with investment opportunities'. Reverend Musa Zondi, KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs welcomed tourism buyers, international media and key role-players in the tourism industry - and affirmed KZN as a premium destination for leisure and investment. Exciting times In his keynote address, MEC Zondi said that the era of Covid-19 was now long behind and that tourism was getting back to its pre-pandemic glory. 'The devastation of the Covid-era is behind us and tourism is making a big come back, as witnessed by the record number of delegates attending this year's Africa's Travel Indaba,' said Zondi. 'As the hosts of this prestigious Business Breakfast, we are delighted to welcome you back to our usual breakfast venue, the Hilton Hotel, which is now fully operational after having been forced to close during the Covid pandemic. 'It is encouraging to see familiar tourism landmarks like the Durban Hilton Hotel back in business, particularly because it is within walking distance of the award-winning Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and handy for conference delegates. 'We are confident that this year's travel indaba will be as successful – and even more so – than last year's event, which brought in more than R550 million to the region (R226m in direct economic activity in Durban and another R333m rippling across the region). 'We are also meeting at exciting times when tourism arrivals to the country and the region are on the increase – and when we, in KZN, are on the cusp of welcoming new tourism developments and are prioritising and supporting various catalytic projects.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Reverend Musa Zondi, KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, welcomed tourism buyers, international media and key role-players to the Business Breakfast. Photo: Tumi Pakkies Image: Tumi Pakkies Zondi also welcomed the Club Med Resort at Tinley Manor flagship leisure investment situated along the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. This R2-billion investment is due to open in July next year, and will offer a unique beach and safari experience – the first in Sub-Sahara Africa. He added that the travel indaba has been staged in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal for more than 30 years - and the province is committed to retaining it. 'We are actively working with industry partners and national stakeholders to ensure that it remains a provincial asset. We have the infrastructure, the hospitality capacity and track record.' Growth catalyst EThekwini Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba lauded the travel indaba platform as a catalyst for building meaningful partnerships beyond borders within the continent of Africa. Moreover, he said that tourism was one of the key economic drivers contributing significantly to the local GDP and creating job opportunities for local communities. 'We are encouraged by the increase in the number of tourists descending on our shores and the revival of the broader hospitality sector, as guests frequent restaurants and book hotels. The return to pre-covid times of this sector is vital because it provides much-needed employment, supports livelihoods and goes a long way in helping reduce poverty. Supplied Image: Supplied 'We are expanding shopping experiences for our visitors with the newly opened Westown Square in Shongweni. This mixed-use development comprising a shopping mall, hospital and residential units provides a family-friendly shopping environment, and seeks to boost the local economy through tourism - particularly in the outer west region. 'As the leadership of the City, we are also committed to positioning Durban as a destination of choice for major sporting events. Sport tourism continues to grow as more visitors travel to watch their favourite sports. With world-class sports facilities, we are on the right path to becoming a premier sporting venue. 'For the next three days, we must remember that when we engage in discussions, start networking sessions and share best practices that we must be driven by a common goal of growing a sustainable tourism industry,' said Xaba. Record numbers This year's ATI has a record number of delegates attending. There are 1 200 exhibitors from 26 African countries, as well as 908 vetted international buyers representing 55 global markets. More than 7 430 business-to-business meetings have already been planned and about 120 small and medium tourism enterprises have been given the opportunity to showcase their products at this high-profile and vibrant tourism event.
