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 ...