South Africa is stepping up efforts to grow its film and entertainment industry, with billions of rands in planned infrastructure projects aimed at attracting more international productions and creating jobs.

One of the biggest projects is the proposed R7.5 billion Durban Film City, a long-delayed development that could turn Durban into a major film and entertainment hub.

The project has been included in the latest Construction Book published by Infrastructure South Africa, which identifies major projects expected to enter procurement over the next 12 to 18 months. The latest book contains 110 projects worth about R395 billion across several sectors.

Durban Film City project

The Durban Film City is planned for the former Natal Command site, a 21-hectare property near the Moses Mabhida Stadium. The development is intended to become a world-class film studio complex, combining film production facilities with entertainment, tourism and leisure activities.

This project was conceived by veteran South African filmmaker Anant Singh and has faced years of delays linked to land, municipal services and other regulatory challenges.

The eThekwini Municipality says the land transfer to the developer was completed in December 2022. More recently, the project’s Site Framework Plan was approved in January 2026, although an appeal was subsequently lodged and dismissed by the Town Planning Appeals Committee in July.

The developer has been instructed to submit a Master Plan to the municipality within 24 months following the appeals decision.

Thousands of jobs expected

The project has been presented as a major potential boost for Durban’s economy. Previous project estimates indicate that the development could create more than 50,000 temporary jobs and about 4,300 permanent jobs once fully developed. The film city is also expected to benefit businesses beyond the film industry, including hotels, restaurants, tourism operators, transport companies and other creative businesses.

The vision is to create a destination where major film productions can be made while also attracting visitors and supporting entertainment activities. Singh has argued that Durban already has the talent and location needed to attract major productions but lacks the large-scale infrastructure required to keep those productions in the city.

His previous production work in Durban has been cited as evidence of the potential economic impact of the industry.

Ramaphosa backs the project

President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously expressed support for the Durban Film City, pointing to the economic benefits generated by large film productions. He has argued that South Africa needs additional studio infrastructure beyond Cape Town to take advantage of the global demand for film production.

The project has also received attention from the Presidential eThekwini Working Group, which has been involved in efforts to address some of the obstacles delaying the development.

Part of a bigger infrastructure drive

The Durban Film City is now part of a much larger national infrastructure pipeline. The latest Construction Book includes 16 social infrastructure projects worth about R52 billion, with Durban Film City listed alongside major developments such as hospital projects and the Joburg Fresh Produce Market.

Government is also placing greater emphasis on public-private partnerships as it attempts to move projects from planning into actual construction.

President Ramaphosa has said quarterly performance reports will be used to monitor projects in the Construction Book and determine which developments are progressing and which require intervention.