DA demands urgent review of NFVF council, accuses Gayton McKenzie of politicising film appointments

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for an urgent review of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) Council, accusing Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie of allowing political considerations to influence appointments to the body that oversees South Africa’s film and television industry.

DA warns sector is in a “critical condition”

In a statement issued on 12 August 2026, DA Cape Town Metro Regional Chair JP Smith described the country’s film sector as being in a “critical condition”, citing delays in film incentives and funding payments that he said were harming productions, investment and job creation.

Smith said government must cut red tape and provide faster financial support as South Africa competes with other countries for international film investment.

“As government, we must cut red tape, find the necessary funding, and support the sector as much as possible,”

Allegations about council members’ links to the Patriotic Alliance

The DA’s central concern is the composition of the NFVF Council. Smith alleges that several council members have political, professional or personal links to figures within the Patriotic Alliance, the party led by McKenzie.

Those named by the DA include:

• Simon Carl Clarke described by Smith as a former business partner of McKenzie and Kenny Kunene, with previous involvement at the National Arts Council and service as chairperson of the Johannesburg Roads Agency.
• Omphemetse Mokgosi alleged links to Patriotic Alliance head of media Bakang Lethoko and prior roles on the National Arts Council and several Johannesburg municipal entities.
• Siphosethu Mthamzeli alleged to have previously held a non-executive position at a City of Johannesburg entity under Kunene’s oversight and to have had a professional connection to Lethoko.
• Tony Ferreira said by the DA to be a co-director in a company with Patriotic Alliance legal head Eugene Botha.
• Andrea Gordon described by the DA as a family friend of Gayton McKenzie.

The DA’s statement notes these are allegations and that the claims regarding relationships, appointments and political connections would need independent verification.

Referral to the Public Protector and calls for transparency

The DA has referred what it describes as alleged cadre deployment to the Public Protector and said it will continue to seek answers about the NFVF appointment process. Smith argued the NFVF should be led by people with suitable expertise and a commitment to developing the film and television industry.

“I cannot sit idly by while a Council tasked with developing, funding, and promoting the South African film and television industry is hijacked,”

Smith said.

Funding delays risk investment and jobs

Beyond the questions over appointments, the DA urged urgent action to address delays affecting film incentives and funding applications. Smith warned that continued delays could cost South Africa investment and employment opportunities as international productions consider other locations.

“The industry needs action, not another round of government departments blaming one another while South African jobs and investment disappear,”

he said.

Demand for ministerial accountability

The DA is calling on Minister Gayton McKenzie to provide full transparency on the NFVF Council appointment process and to ensure that suitably qualified film and television specialists are appointed. Smith said urgent accountability was required to protect the country’s arts and film sectors.

“The Minister cannot continue to pass the buck while the industry he is responsible for protecting is allowed to decline,”

Smith concluded.