The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) has faced increased public scrutiny following the decision to preliminarily suspend the Executive Director, Onke Dumeko. This move has highlighted broader issues concerning governance, transparency, and leadership instability within this key South African film funding organization.
Questions Surrounding the Suspension
Just over a week after the publication IOL reported on Dumeko's temporary removal pending an independent administrative review, several key questions remain unanswered. The Foundation has yet to provide explanations for the circumstances of the suspension, has not appointed an acting CEO, nor has it publicly disclosed who currently holds executive authority in the organization.
This silence has drawn criticism from filmmakers, industry stakeholders, and governance observers. They argue that an organization entrusted with hundreds of millions of rand in state funding cannot afford prolonged uncertainty at the highest level.
Transparency and Operational Management Problems
Independent television and entertainment journalist Tuns Ferreira noted that the manner of the suspension raises serious concerns regarding transparency. According to him, 'it is bad that we do not only not know why, but that the industry and the media were not informed. They were very deliberately trying to hide it.'
Ferreira also pointed out that even after Dumeko's suspension took effect on June 25th, she was still listed as Executive Director on the NFVF website.
The uncertainty affects more than just the CEO's office. Since Dumeko simultaneously held the roles of Executive Director and Head of Operations, her removal has left two crucial executive functions without permanent leadership. Although the NFVF Board notified staff that department heads would oversee daily activities until a new CEO is appointed, a public announcement of such an appointment has not been made.
In Ferreira's view, the organization is effectively operating without a senior leader capable of providing strategic direction or final approval. He emphasized: 'They actually don't have anyone as Head of Operations, and they also don't have a new Executive Director. The organization is essentially run by department heads who hope to do the right things, while no one is truly providing oversight or final approval.'
Historical Instability and Accountability
When IOL first reported the suspension of Dumeko, the Board described it as a precautionary measure related to an independent administrative review. The Board stressed that the suspension should not be interpreted as a disciplinary action and asked staff to 'respect the confidentiality of the process.' However, beyond this statement, the Foundation declined to give further comments.
When approached by Ferreira, NFVF allegedly responded only that the matter was an 'internal administrative issue' subject to the ongoing review process. For many in the South African film and television sector, this latest development is seen not as an isolated incident but as part of a wider trend of executive instability. Ferreira reported that approximately six people have changed roles—either permanent or temporary CEO—in the organization since 2023. He concluded that 'the CEO position has essentially been revolving since 2023. They have had about six people in that role in three years. This is not good for any organization in terms of stability, leadership, or operations.'
This high turnover occurs while NFVF continues to administer key state funding programs designed to support local film, television, and digital content production. As a public body funded by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Foundation plays a central role in developing the South African screen industry by distributing grants, supporting filmmakers, and overseeing strategic industry initiatives.
Questions for the Department and Past Disputes
The leadership uncertainty has also reignited questions about oversight by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. Previously, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gethon Mackenzie facilitated the dissolution of the National Arts Council, which was viewed as a step toward restoring hope for artists and cultural organizations across the country.
Ferreira pointed to previous scandals involving international travel by NFVF officials. In 2024, Minister Gethon Mackenzie publicly intervened after concerns arose regarding the scale and cost of NFVF delegations visiting international film festivals. At the time, the minister stated that the Foundation's primary duty was to ensure that at least 75% of the budget went towards film production, not administrative costs and overseas travel.
However, Ferreira noted that NFVF representatives visited the Cannes Film Festival again this year. He reported that when he contacted the minister's office, the Department, and NFVF to find out why people suddenly returned to Cannes after the minister had prohibited it, he received no answers. In his words, the lack of explanation reflects a broader absence of accountability, as it concerns taxpayers' money in an industry body that should be helping the South African film and television industry.
Industry Pressure
The governance problems arise against a backdrop of growing dissatisfaction within the film industry. Filmmakers have complained about funding delays, administrative hurdles, and uncertainty regarding the Foundation's programs. These grievances intensified recently when filmmakers staged an indefinite sit-down strike over delays related to the President's Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP 6), accusing the Foundation of administrative failures that jeopardized projects and livelihoods.
The leadership vacuum will likely complicate preparations for future industry initiatives, including the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), which have faced criticism in recent years for planning delays and organizational issues. Ferreira argued that late planning often leaves production teams insufficient time for proper preparation for live broadcasts. He added: 'Production companies do not have enough time to rehearse. That is why viewers see mistakes during the live broadcast. These awards should showcase the best of South African television, but organizational shortcomings often undermine that.'
Governance experts often assert that prolonged instability at the executive level weakens institutional accountability, slows down decision-making, and creates uncertainty for both staff and stakeholders. For an organization responsible for supporting one of South Africa's most economically vulnerable creative sectors, constant leadership change threatens to impact funding decisions, project implementation, and trust among filmmakers dependent on the Foundation's support.
Remaining Questions for the Foundation
The NFVF Board insists that Dumeko's suspension is precautionary and part of an independent administrative review. Nevertheless, nearly two weeks after the decision came into effect, critical questions remain unanswered: what prompted the independent administrative review; why was the suspension not publicized; who currently holds executive power in the Foundation; when will an acting director be appointed; and when will a permanent CEO be hired?
Until these questions are clarified, the organization tasked with advancing South African cinema faces a governance crisis that increasingly threatens confidence in one of the country's most vital cultural institutions.
