By Seleoe Nonyane
Production company Khaya Holdings and its partners are currently engaged in an initiative to upskill key players in Lesotho’s under-resourced film industry.
The exercise targets people who are involved in film making such as directors, producers and actors. The aim is for them to acquire new skills to stay competitive and succeed.
Khaya Holdings is a production company based in Lesotho which consists of a team of passionate and enthusiastic individuals, working together to visualize stories and dreams.
The team is made up of highly qualified individuals with a lot of experience in what they do, which ensures a professional and reliable working structure.
Khaya Holdings has partnered with stakeholders such as Mergence and runs an ongoing programme called Film For Community Action. The project was introduced in July this year through a six-day workshop for youth aged between 15 and 35, to equip them with film skills such as acting, editing and special effects.
At the end of the workshop participants were issued certificates of completion and had an opportunity to shoot a short film called Tšepo, which was released two weeks ago.
The second workshop will start on Monday next week in Roma, Maseru and registration has already begun.
According to Khaya Holdings managing consultant Paul Banda, Lesotho’s film industry lags behind other African countries including its neighbour South Africa.
Banda said the programme seeks to bring the industry’s potential for job creation and contribution to economic growth to the attention of the government.
He noted that in South Africa, the film industry makes R9 billion a year and if the government invests in this sector, it will not only help individuals but the country at large.
The film landscape is gradually catching up and this is proof of its potential, he indicated.
“We are dispensing these skills to the youth so that by the time the market opens up all players should be ready and it should not be difficult to identify them.
“Some of the participants in the first workshop have already started work. For example, some of the make-up artists have opened their own businesses and building a client base. This is because the workshops also help to instil an entrepreneurship mindset,” Banda said.
The next workshops will take place in Teyateyaneng and Mafeteng. They are open to all out-of-school youths who want to better their lives.
