
executive of corporate affairs Jabavu Heshu, left, and Dsrac MEC Fezeka Bayeni sign an agreement between MultiChoice and the Eastern Cape to unlock
opportunities in sport and the creative industries
Picture: SIVENATHI GOSA
The Eastern Cape department of sports, recreation, arts & culture (Dsrac) and MultiChoice Group (MCG) recently signed a memorandum of understanding that will see a multi pronged approach to unlocking opportunities within the province in the creative industries and in sport.
This will see the staging of sport events, as well as infrastructure development. The collaboration will see MultiChoice bringing soccer and rugby games to the province, promoting netball, and supporting the film-making industry through skills development and locally relevant content for the community TV sector.
“We remain committed as always to ensuring the growth and development of talent in the
Eastern Cape. “Whether on the sports field, on stage or on screen, we are proud to contribute to the building of a strong talent pipeline that takes South Africa’s stories from our communities to the world,” MultiChoice corporate affairs executive Jabavu Heshu said.
Dsrac MEC Fezeka Bayeni said the construction of a multi-purpose sports facility and the revitalisation of the film sector would contribute to the department’s goal of taking the
youth off the streets and improving the quality of their lives.
“We are thankful to our private partner, MultiChoice, for their contribution in adding a lasting mark that can change the lives of people in our province.
“Today marks a day where we demonstrate, as President Cyril Ramaphosa said, how social compacting can contribute to society in a meaningful, positive way,” Bayeni said.
The relationship between MCG and the provincial government has already resulted in investment in sports development through initiatives such as the MultiChoice Diski
Challenge (MDC), SuperSport Let’s Play fields, the SuperSport Rugby Challenge (SRC), as well as the province’s community TV station, BayTV.
“Further than the borders of South Africa, the Eastern Cape is renowned as the home of rugby, hence this partnership ascertains the continued staging of the SuperSport Rugby
Challenge in the province ,” Bayeni added.
“We are proud to announce the construction of a multipurpose sport field in Lusikisiki
that will further see the enhancement of sport development and infrastructure support across the province.”
Bayeni said Dsrac and MCG successfully hosted a two-day masterclass for aspiring
filmmakers at the East London ICC in January. In addition, MCG has invested in the development of local content in the province, with the latest investment being the critically acclaimed film Knuckle City.
“In a few months’ time, the arts fraternity will descend on Makhanda for the National Arts
Festival, another milestone event,” Bayeni said.