Parliament of South Africa
Parliament of South Africa
03/11/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/11/2026 11:26
Media Statement: Communications Committee Calls for Resolution in Film and Television Incentive Challenges While Welcoming Netflix Investment
Parliament, 11 March 2026 - The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has committed to following up on the challenges in the disbursement of South Africa's Film and Television Production Incentive, administered by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).
The announcement followed the committee's walkabout at the set of Netflix's One Piece Season 3 at Cape Town Film Studios on Wednesday morning. The incentive programme is reportedly facing a crippling funding backlog, alongside concerns over a unilateral introduction of a reimbursement model that requires producers to cover costs upfront-creating significant barriers for emerging filmmakers.
The committee will engage with its sister committee, the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition to gain a deeper understanding of these issues and to chart a path toward a more inclusive and effective incentive programme.
At the same time, the committee welcomed Netflix's continued investment in South Africa's film and television industry. One Piece is the largest production filmed on the African continent to date, delivering substantial socio-economic benefits, including attracting foreign direct investment, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises across the production value chain, and creating employment opportunities for young South Africans in the creative and technical sectors.
The committee Chairperson, Ms Khusela Sangoni-Diko, highlighted the vital role global streaming platforms like Netflix play in supporting transformative projects that expand opportunities for South African creatives, technical professionals, and emerging talent. She noted that productions of this scale contribute to skills development, local enterprise participation, and broader industry transformation within the country's audiovisual sector.
While government and industry share a responsibility to promote the production of local content across film, television, and audiovisual services, the committee also recognises gaps in the legislative and regulatory framework governing over-the-top and streaming services. It is committed to pursuing reforms to strengthen and modernise the sector.
The committee expressed its gratitude to Netflix and its production partners for the invitation and the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the production of One Piece. Furthermore, the committee reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with all stakeholders across the film and television sector to strengthen South Africa's audiovisual industry and ensure it continues to generate inclusive growth, jobs, and opportunities for South Africans.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, MS KHUSELA SANGONI-DIKO
For media inquiries or to request an interview with the Chairperson, please contact Media Officer:
Justice Molafo (Mr)
Cell: 081 424 7481
Email: [email protected]
The announcement followed the committee's walkabout at the set of Netflix's One Piece Season 3 at Cape Town Film Studios on Wednesday morning. The incentive programme is reportedly facing a crippling funding backlog, alongside concerns over a unilateral introduction of a reimbursement model that requires producers to cover costs upfront-creating significant barriers for emerging filmmakers.
The committee will engage with its sister committee, the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition to gain a deeper understanding of these issues and to chart a path toward a more inclusive and effective incentive programme.
At the same time, the committee welcomed Netflix's continued investment in South Africa's film and television industry. One Piece is the largest production filmed on the African continent to date, delivering substantial socio-economic benefits, including attracting foreign direct investment, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises across the production value chain, and creating employment opportunities for young South Africans in the creative and technical sectors.
The committee Chairperson, Ms Khusela Sangoni-Diko, highlighted the vital role global streaming platforms like Netflix play in supporting transformative projects that expand opportunities for South African creatives, technical professionals, and emerging talent. She noted that productions of this scale contribute to skills development, local enterprise participation, and broader industry transformation within the country's audiovisual sector.
While government and industry share a responsibility to promote the production of local content across film, television, and audiovisual services, the committee also recognises gaps in the legislative and regulatory framework governing over-the-top and streaming services. It is committed to pursuing reforms to strengthen and modernise the sector.
The committee expressed its gratitude to Netflix and its production partners for the invitation and the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the production of One Piece. Furthermore, the committee reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with all stakeholders across the film and television sector to strengthen South Africa's audiovisual industry and ensure it continues to generate inclusive growth, jobs, and opportunities for South Africans.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, MS KHUSELA SANGONI-DIKO
For media inquiries or to request an interview with the Chairperson, please contact Media Officer:
Justice Molafo (Mr)
Cell: 081 424 7481
Email: [email protected]
Parliament of South Africa published this content on March 11, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 11, 2026 at 17:26 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]