Suzuki is
partnering with the popular kykNET soapie Suidooster and the SA Film Academy to
launch an exciting skills development project.
In conjunction with
Suidooster and the SA Film Academy, Suzuki is starting a driving school for the
television and film industry. The new Filmgro Driving Academy, which is based
in Cape Town, was launched on Friday 16 November at Atlantic Studios in
Milnerton, the home of the SA Film Academy and Suidooster.
“We are very proud
of to be involved in this project as the vehicle sponsor,” says Megan
MacDonald, Assistant PR and Marketing manager at Suzuki Auto South
Africa.
“Through the
Filmgro Driving Academy, the students are to get their licences in the world’s
top-selling sedan, the Dzire.”
Megan added that
Suzuki’s motorcycle division is also looking to get involved with the
project.
According to Seton
Bailey, the head of the SA Film Academy, the main aim of this organisation is
to drive growth and development.
“One of the biggest
impediments to employment and career advancement in the film and television
industries, especially for people from historically disadvantaged communities,
is lacking a driver’s licence – or access to the finances and professional,
accredited resources – in order to obtain one,” says Seton.
Suidooster’s
spokesperson Wilmer Müller says that it is vital for the producers, crew and
cast of the soapie to give back to their industry and also communities.
“It is amazing what
difference a driver’s licence can make to someone’s future. Therefore, we want
to drive growth in the television industry by empowering younger people to
eventually become the leaders in this exciting industry, which is vital in
growing the South African economy,” says Wilmer.
There is also
interest from the media to expand this to magazines, newspapers, digital media
and radio, since they are faced with the same challenges with young talent who
can’t be appointed in permanent positions because they don’t have driver’s
licences.
