Brief
South Africa’s film rebate revived, industry eyes recovery
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition says it has cleared most of a R2 billion backlog and secured funding through 2029.
By Felo News Desk · Published
At the Durban FilmMart, Nelly Molokoane, director of film and television production at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), announced that South Africa’s 25% cash rebate programme for film and TV is back in business after a two‑year paralysis.
Molokoane said the department is now processing a backlog of applications and rebate claims dating back to 2024, urging producers to be patient as it works to right the ship. The DTIC has reportedly paid off most of the nearly R2 billion ($121 million) backlog and earmarked roughly R1.5 billion ($91 million) to fund the rebate through 2029.
Industry reaction was cautiously optimistic. Producer Delon Bakker, chair of the Independent Producers Organization, called the announcement “the worst is over” and expressed confidence that the sector is moving in the right direction, even if the pace remains uncertain. Producer Paul Buys of Rose and Oaks Media warned that thousands of jobs and hundreds of companies have suffered losses from unpaid claims that stretched back two to four years.
The crisis had previously hit an already strained industry, with the exhibition sector faltering, global streaming services scaling back local investment, and the public broadcaster SABC struggling to stay afloat. Producers said the rebate’s revival could help stabilize employment and revive projects that were stalled.
Looking ahead, producers remain concerned about the future shape of the incentive – whether it will stay as a cash rebate, shift to a tax credit, or adopt another model. Molokoane, who has faced calls for resignation, emphasized ongoing dialogue with the industry, saying, “We’ve been engaging the industry since last year to say, ‘How best can we support this industry?’”
Key facts
- The DTIC announced the film and TV cash rebate programme is back in business. (variety.com)
- Nearly R2 billion in unpaid rebate claims have been largely cleared. (variety.com)
- R1.5 billion has been set aside to fund the rebate through 2029. (variety.com)
- Producer Delon Bakker said the worst of the crisis is over. (variety.com)
- Producer Paul Buys warned that thousands of jobs have been affected by delayed payments. (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “How South Africa Rescued Its Rebate and Pulled the Industry Back From the Brink: We’re ‘Back in Business’”
