City Strengthens Creative Industry Through Strategic Mou Signings
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Date: 2025-07-21 08:19:02

City Strengthens Creative Industry Through Strategic Mou Signings

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 JULY 2025
 
The Economic Development Directorate, through the Durban Film Office Division, has signed three-year-long memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with stakeholders to strengthen Durban’s film and television sector.
 
The three MOUs were signed on 18 July with the Film and Publications Board (FPB), the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), and the KwaMashu Community Advancement Projects (KCAP).
 
These strategic partnerships will enhance skills development, promote regulatory compliance, and create economic opportunities for emerging creatives.
 
The MOUs signify a shared commitment to sustainable industry growth, leveraging collective expertise to uplift communities and foster transformation. 
 
The initiative aligns with the Municipality’s vision of building an inclusive, vibrant, and economically active creative industry.
 
Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee Councillor Thembo Ntuli highlighted the importance of the agreement saying these MOUs are more than symbolic, they are living frameworks. 
 
“Through coordinated action, we will strengthen compliance, intellectual property education, enhance training, and ensure that our storytellers are equipped to compete on national and global stages,” said Councillor Ntuli.
 
Guided by the District Development Model, this initiative aligns with the City's integrated approach to planning and service delivery. 
 
It seeks to unlock opportunities for sustainable development through intergovernmental cooperation.
 
The MOU with CIPC focuses on education and outreach around intellectual property rights, while the FPB partnership promotes regulatory compliance and content classification. 
 
The KCAP agreement will enhance community engagement through initiatives such as film screenings, audience development scriptwriting labs, and the KwaZulu-Natal African Film Festival.
 
“These partnerships reflect our collective resolve to grow Durban’s creative economy while creating a safe, inclusive and enabling environment,” said Shunnon Tulsiram, Director of the Economic Development Directorate.  
 
“Together, we are shaping a future where the film sector contributes meaningfully to social development and economic transformation,” added Tulsiram.
 
ENDS