NFVF PESP6 DELAYS RAISE ALARM

A Sector in Suspended Animation: Mounting Concerns Over NFVF’s PESP6 Delays

The announcement by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) confirming further delays in the release of outcomes for the Sixth Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP6) has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s already fragile audio-visual sector. What was initially framed as a strategic intervention to stimulate employment and unlock industry potential is now becoming a symbol of uncertainty, frustration, and growing mistrust.

At the heart of the issue lies a simple but pressing question: what is really going on within the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and its funding entities?

Promises Made, Deadlines Shifted

During nationwide roadshows in October 2025, the NFVF confidently communicated that PESP6 funding outcomes would be released by July 2026. This timeline shaped planning cycles, production schedules, and financial expectations for hundreds—if not thousands—of practitioners across the country.

Yet, in a recent statement, the NFVF has now pushed the expected announcement to October 2026, citing “unforeseen recurring delays.”

This is not a minor administrative adjustment. This is a three-month delay on top of an already extended process, affecting livelihoods, contractual obligations, and project viability.

The involvement of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), which has reportedly been “in alignment” with the delays, raises even deeper concerns.

If the overseeing department is aware—and supportive—of such delays, then:

• Where is the urgency?

• Where is the accountability?

• And more importantly, where is the leadership?

A Pattern Emerging Across DSAC Entities?

This delay does not exist in isolation.

Today marks 10 days of ongoing strike action by staff at the National Arts Council (NAC), another DSAC entity. Workers have raised serious concerns about governance, working conditions, and institutional stability.

Now, with the NFVF struggling to meet its own timelines on a flagship national programme like PESP6, a troubling pattern begins to emerge:

• Operational inefficiencies

• Delayed processes

• Labour unrest

• Communication breakdowns

Is this coincidence—or a systemic issue within DSAC’s ecosystem of funding bodies?

The Cost of Delay: More Than Just Time

The NFVF’s statement acknowledges “ripple effects” on applicants. But the reality is far more severe.

For many in the sector, PESP6 is not just funding—it is:

• Employment

• Survival

• Creative continuity

Projects tied to PESP6 are now in limbo. Producers cannot lock in crews. Creatives cannot commit to timelines. Service providers cannot forecast income.

And perhaps most damaging of all: trust is eroding.

The Appointment of a Project Management Company: Solution or Symptom?

The NFVF has indicated that a Project Management Company has now been brought in to “ensure swift finalisation.”

But this raises yet another critical question:

Why was such capacity not embedded from the start?

Bringing in external management at this stage suggests that:

• Internal systems may have failed

• Planning may have been inadequate

• Oversight mechanisms may have been weak

Is this a corrective measure—or an admission of deeper institutional shortcomings?

A Sector Left Asking Questions

The original PESP6 call—positioned as an opportunity to support high-impact, potentially blockbuster film projects—generated excitement and hope across the industry.

Now, that same call is becoming a source of anxiety.

Stakeholders are left asking:

• What exactly are the “recurring delays” being referred to?

• How many applications are still under review?

• What bottlenecks have persisted for nearly a year?

• Why was July 2026 initially communicated if systems were not ready?

• What guarantees exist that October 2026 will not shift again?

Leadership Under the Spotlight

These developments inevitably place scrutiny on the leadership of DSAC, particularly under Minister Gayton McKenzie.

The question is no longer just about PESP6. It is about governance across the department’s funding institutions.

• Are entities adequately resourced?

• Is there effective oversight?

• Are governance structures functioning as intended?

Or are we witnessing the early signs of a broader institutional crisis?

Conclusion: A Call for Transparency and Urgency

The creative sector cannot afford prolonged uncertainty.

If PESP6 is to retain its credibility—and if DSAC is to maintain the trust of the industries it serves—there must be:

• Clear, transparent communication

• Firm, non-negotiable timelines

• Accountability at all levels

Anything less risks turning a programme designed to stimulate employment into yet another example of missed opportunity.

For now, the sector waits.

But patience, like funding cycles, is not infinite.

The Creative Passport is an independent platform focused on Arts, Culture and the Creative Industries. Readers are encouraged to follow, comment and engage constructively.

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