by Thinus Ferreira
South Africa's TV ad production industry alone lost close to 200 confirmed and quoted TV commercial projects with a combined value of over R1 billion - projects that were abruptly swept away following the shocking travel bans that were imposed last month on the country after South Africa alerted the world of Covid-19's Omicron variant.
In addition Cape Town's traditional TV advert summer filming season for 2021 during which multiple TV commercials are filmed, is facing a dire threat with the potential loss of hundreds of projects employing thousands of people.
The Commercial Producers Association of South Africa (CPASA) did an industry-wide survey following the shocking travel bans implemented by various countries on South Africa after the country alerted the world to the Omicron variant, and found that the TV commercial production industry suffered a loss of over R1 billion.
The CPASA survey revealed the devastating cost of the bans on South Africa's film, stills and commercial production sector with 122 confirmed TV advert projects which were cancelled with a collective value of R420 220 000. Another 162 projects under quote were lost with a collective value of R619 640 000.
"Even more concerning is the potential loss of hundreds of additional projects that would normally be produced during Cape Town's summer season which runs from October to April each year," CPASA says.
"The staggering losses already recorded could become the tip of the iceberg if the bans are not reversed soon." Our industry is in a state of shock and despair at recent developments. We can only hope and pray that the situation improves soon."
The CPASA says that the Omicron variant and the resulting travel bans prohibiting travel to and from South Africa disrupted production in South Africa at the beginning of the country's highly anticipated summer commercial season.
"The CPASA hopes these travel bans are lifted soon and that international production can resume in South Africa in the near future. Production in the domestic industry continues with no additional restrictions and production companies adhering closely to all Covid-19 protocols."
The CPASA has sent a letter to the UK High Commissioner to South Africa on 7 December requesting that the British government "urgently consider reversing the travel bans" it implemented following the identification of the Omicron variant.
"Our industry is in a state of shock and despair at recent developments. We can only hope and pray that the situation improves soon," CPASA says.
