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Message from the CEO
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Following Tuesday’s announcement of the 2010 nominations for the Academy Awards, with South African-linked films scoring an all-time high of 6 nominations (4 for District 9 and 2 for Invictus), and with District 9 already having garnered 7 nominations for the BAFTAs, South Africa is undoubtedly on the world film map. This growing international recognition and acceptance is positive news for Gauteng, with all of District 9, part of Invictus as well as award-winner Skin, having been filmed in the Province. Active promotion of the Province is now paying off, not only with regard to a film location but also as a source of talent, excellent crew, production skills and stories.
We are indeed thrilled that Gauteng-linked and supported projects are receiving so much attention. District 9 was filmed entirely in Gauteng – in Kliptown and Tshiawelo in Soweto and around downtown Johannesburg – and crews shooting in Soweto have enthused how welcoming and supportive Soweto residents are. It’s become a popular location for both international and local filmmakers, which is not surprising as it has so much to offer.
Having heavyweights such as Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman (Oscar nomination for Best Actor in Invictus) and Matt Damon (Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Invictus) working with the local industry is a ringing endorsement of the country and the Province.
For the GFC, what’s also rewarding is to see that South African audiences are flocking to movie houses to see their stories. Skin, the true-life story of SA’s Sandra Laing, became the number one film on the Cinema Nouveau circuit during its first weekend of release. The film, which has already won 16 awards around the globe, pulled in just under R200 000 at the box office (22 – 24 January 2010) although it was released only in selected cinemas (11 prints) around the country.
Sophie Okonedo, who acts as Sandra Laing, was recently nominated for the Best Actress Award at the Black Reel Awards 2010, which spotlight the best African-American performances in theatrical, independent and television films, as well as for the NAACP Image Awards while the film also received a nomination for the NAACP Image Awards Best Foreign Film category. The NAACP Image Awards are presented annually by the American National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to honor outstanding people of colour in film, television, music and literature. The Black Reel Awards winners will be announced on 12 February and the NAACP Awards on 26 February 2010.
The film has already won 16 awards from around the world, including: the Audience Award for Best Film at the Santa Barbara Film festival; Best Narrative and Best Jury Awards at the Pan African Film Festival; Audience Award at the Afrika Film Festival, Belgium; Audience Award at the AFI Dallas; Best Feature Film at the Palm Beach International Film Festival 2009; and Circle Audience Award at the Film Fest DC, Washington DC.
With so many potential awards in the offing and the spotlight this will put on South Africa, the rest of this month and March promises to be an exciting one for SA viewers, who’ll be glued to their screens, particularly on 21 February (BAFTAs) and 7 March (Academy Awards).
Looking beyond this award season all indications are that despite the low production season in winter 2009 in Gauteng, the summer months are currently busy in Johannesburg, indicating that 2010 will be a good production year for the Province.
Terry Tselane
Chief Executive
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IN BRIEF
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Copyright: a mind-field
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The International Copyright Balance and Documentary Film Project of America University, together with South African film industry organisations, including the Documentary Filmmakers Association (DFA), Women of the Sun (WoS) and Black Filmmakers Network (BFN), released a groundbreaking report on copyright clearance obligations for South African documentary filmmakers at the end of 2009.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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What’s in store at the Design Indaba
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Over 260 exhibitors have confirmed for this month’s Design Indaba Expo at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Plus the Design Indaba Conference has once again ensured an all-star list of speakers from around the world covering all disciplines, says Deborah Webber, Advertising and Promotional Manager.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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Almost 100 years old and still rolling!
The history of SA cinema Part 2
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In December 2009, In Focus began the epic of recounting the history of cinema as it rapidly approaches its 100th year. We were fortunate to interview well-known director, producer and writer Cedric Sundstrom who, being captivated by the movie industry, has for the past nine years been documenting the history of local cinema. Sundstrom’s intention is to complete his project this year to coincide with the 100th anniversary.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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New Vision brings CreamCartel reality to TV screens
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New Vision Media (www.nv.co.za), having now divided its efforts into the fields of advertising and production, stands with New Vision Pictures as the production house behind the enthralling CreamCartel reality series currently on Vuzu TV.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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New broadcast monitoring system from ICASA
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The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) plans to implement a new Broadcast Monitoring System (BMS) which will record all South African broadcasters’ daily activities from 5am to 11pm. This will determine whether broadcasters are complying with their mandates in terms of local content quotas, genres, the number of permissible repeat programmes, etc.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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SA-born Savante comes home to shoot
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South African-born Stelio Savante will be in South Africa from 24 February 2010 to shoot a feature film called A Million Colors, described as a romantic adventure of South Africa’s once most famous black movie star who was separated from the love of his life, became a fugitive and struggled to survive Apartheid.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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Anti piracy venture takes off in Joburg city centre
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An empowerment venture, Bliksem DVD’s, aimed at combating film and music piracy to boost local production, launched successfully in Johannesburg in December, causing much interest from commuters by selling legitimate product at affordable prices.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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Bringing Reunion and South Africa closer
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With the support of the Embassy of France, a small delegation of film professionals from South Africa recently attended a networking programme in the Indian Ocean island of Reunion, hosted by ADCAM – a regional film association responsible for the development, coordination and promotion of film activity in Reunion.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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HOT SHOTS
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Promoting Soweto as a home of performing arts
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The Soweto Performing Arts Centre (SPAC) is a pre-eminent and vibrant community-based institution dedicated to the development and advancement of the performing and visual arts in historically under-resourced communities. In Focus spoke to Basil Dube, CEO of SPAC, about the organisation, its formation, aims and activities.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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EMERGING HOT SHOTS
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Creating written characters for screen or TV
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Well-known SA author and lecturer Jo-Anne Richards likens writing great characters for screen or television to ice-bergs. “The sparkling tip of them is what you see on the screen. The vast bulk of them is the back story. You may not see it, but it must be there.”
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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SHOT IN GAUTENG
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Amelia’s Gauteng connection
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I saw the biopic Amelia on its opening night last month and found a very small audience – mostly made up of my party of five seniors (who I had encouraged to see the film, but later wondered whether I should have been quite so encouraging, and who knew the background story) and a couple in the back row – say no more!
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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Rankin comes to Gauteng for Pictures of Africa
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Rankin, the UK’s leading fashion photographer, was the feature of a BBC 4 documentary shot in several locations in the Gauteng area in mid January this year. Rankin journeys through the remarkably rich and diverse images of South African photography.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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2010 COUNTDOWN
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Location rates for Gauteng football stadiums
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The Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) advises production companies wishing to shoot at the various football stadiums dotted around Gauteng to schedule shoots prior to April 2010 and to submit applications via the GFC.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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What next after HD?
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There is little doubt that the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the technological highlight of the year. While many will travel to South Africa to watch the games live, countless millions will be armchair viewers. Do the broadcasters have anything new to offer? Will it be a conventional 2D medium resolution image or can we expect something more?
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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Gautrain first-phase trial run scheduled for March
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The Gautrain rapid-rail project will start full system trial operations on the section between Sandton station and the OR Tambo International Airport in March, says Gautrain spokesperson Dr Barbara Jensen.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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SuperSport to break barriers for 2010
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“FIFA has promised that this will be the most extensive, most technologically advanced broadcast in World Cup history,” said Tex Teixeira, head of production for SuperSport. “This is the closest the television viewer will be to the World Cup. Picture clarity, the number of cameras, replays, graphics and super-slomos will be better than ever before.”
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PERFECT LOCATION
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Even Clint marched to Pretoria
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Tshwane has an amazing array of historical, cultural and natural locations and its popularity as a film location flows from this rich heritage.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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MADE IN GAUTENG
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Is post production a David and Goliath scenario?
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The post production industry is arguably unlike any other business. It provides a mix of services and skills, employs highly paid creative people and spends an absolute fortune on the equipment required to provide clients with the creative tools needed to complete the production.
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| …to read more CLICK HERE |
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| FESTIVAL & AWARD WATCH |
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| Feb 2010 |
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Pan African Film & Arts Festival 2010
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11 – 21 February 2010
For more info: www.paff.org
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60th Berlin International Film Festival & European Film Market
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11 – 21 February 2010
For more info: www.berlinale.de
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South African Film and Television Awards
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20 February 2010
For more info: www.nfvf.co.za
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DISCOP Africa
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24 – 26 February 2010
For more info: www.discop.com
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| Need to know |
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Big Fish offers sponsored filmmaking course
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Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking is offering a fully sponsored National Certificate in Filmmaking – NQF 5. This course, over a period of 24 weeks, is available to those with a minimum of three years experience in any aspect of filmmaking and who wish to further develop and expand their skills.
Training is project focused, working in all disciplines and specialising in chosen electives. Course content includes technical specialisation in directing, cinematography, production management/producing, editing, sound, research and understanding script.
To apply, contact Connie Mosegedi on +27 (0) 482 5599 or email on mosegedic@bigfish.org.za. Deadline for applications is 12 February 2010.
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GFC Support Programme
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The GFC is calling on Gauteng based filmmakers to submit film projects for funding consideration. The GFC will consider grant funding for internships, mentorship and training programmes; and support for projects that enhance employment opportunities. The application form can be downloaded here
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Gauteng Film Friendly Campaign
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The Gauteng Film Commission reminds all suppliers to the industry to sign up and commit to the Film Friendly Gauteng campaign. For more information or to confirm your participation kindly contact Tumi Ntshingila at Tel: +27 (0)11 833 0409 or tumi@gautengfilm.org.za.
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Join the Fresh Talent Pitch
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Pitch and present the newest formats to international buyers and commissioners at Cannes in April 2010. MIPFormats offers an unprecedented platform for pitching fresh creative talent and new and original concepts for breakthrough non-scripted entertainment formats.
Come to Cannes and pitch the new winning formula for TV and every platform and device on the horizon! The Fresh Talent Pitch is open to all creators and producers from around the world to propose their original concepts for non-scripted entertainment formats. Convergent format concepts enabling cross-media and multiplatform productions as well as hybrid format concepts crossing the lines of programme genres are encouraged to enter the event.
A committee of industry experts, including the international programme tracking include elaborated descriptions and mood setting presentations of the project.
Deadline for entries is 26 February 2010. For more information, go to www.mipworld.com
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Porto7 – Oporto International Short-Film Festival call for entries
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Porto7 – Oporto’s International Short-Film Festival, which takes place 9 – 13 June 2010 in Portugal, is calling for entries. The festival is dedicated to short films and its aim is to promote the production and exhibition of short films and to act as an intermediary among cultures and nationalities that participate in the Festival.
Competitive sections include: International Short-Film Competition – Fiction; International Short-Film Competition – Animation; Videoclip Competition; and Porto7 National Short-Film Competition – Fiction (Portuguese fiction short-films)
Deadline for entries is 15 March 2010. Further information is available at www.porto7.com.
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SAMRO and Wits offer music publishing course
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The University of the Witwatersrand, in partnership with the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), has developed a part-time course – titled Business Principles of Songwriting and Music Publishing to be offered at Wits from 17 February 2010. SAMRO accredits and moderates the classes.
This targeted music-publishing NQF Level 5 course is aimed at emerging South African music entrepreneurs who work or wish to work in music publishing, administration and marketing or who are looking to broaden their knowledge of creating, selling and promoting songs in a commercial environment.
Cost is R5 120 and the course takes place in the evening at the Wits West Campus, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, running for 14 consecutive weeks from 17 February 2010. SAMRO is sponsoring five bursaries for SAMRO members or for people employed by SAMRO publisher members, to be awarded at the discretion of
For more information, visit www.witsplus.wits.ac.za, or e-mail shortcourses.witsplus@wits.ac.za, tel +27 (0) 11 717-9500/3.
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Rushes Soho Shorts Festival calls for submissions
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Rushes Soho Shorts is calling for submissions for their 12th celebration of everything short. Held in London, every July, the event attracts short format work from across the world and is recognised as one of the United Kingdom’s foremost short format champions. Maintaining a significant bridge between the independent and commercial film making communities, the festival has attracted 1200 entries from professionals and newcomers alike, with 140 films in the final selection. Countries, in competition included Japan, Luxembourg, France, China, Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Australia, Iceland, Peru, Germany, Ireland, Slovenia, The Netherlands and the USA.
Deadline for entries is 21 April 2010. For 2010, for the first time in the festival’s history, entries can be submitted online. The submission form is available at http://entries.sohoshorts.com
Further Information can be found at www.sohoshorts.com
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Call for project submission for inaugural Durban FilmMart
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Organisers are calling for the submission of projects for consideration for the inaugural Durban FilmMart. Scheduled to take place in July 2010, this will be the first international film co-production market on the African continent and is a joint project of the Durban Film Office and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF).
“This first African co-production market has the potential to act as a key driver in raising the visibility of film content from Africa,” says Toni Monty, acting CEO of the Durban Film Office. “We envisage that it will provide African film-makers with the opportunity to pitch film projects to leading financiers and meet and network with internationally reputed directors and producers in order to form alliances for future collaborations”
Projects with an African citizen attached to one of the three creative roles of writer, director or producer are eligible to participate in the inaugural Durban FilmMart. These include fiction features, animation features and documentaries suitable for international co-production and distribution
For more information, visit www.durbanfilmoffice.com or contact Musonda Chimba at +27 (0)31 311 4248 or email chimbam@durban.gov.za
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Arts Directors Club 89th Annual Awards Program for 2010
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Call for entries for the ADC 89th Annual Awards in New York are still open in the following categories: Advertising deadline – February 5, 2010; ADC Hybrid and ADC Design Sphere deadline – February 26, 2010. For more information visit http://www.adcglobal.org
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Masters & Savant looking for animators and VFX artists
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This SA animation group is looking for super talented animators and VFX artists to join its team in the creation of commercials and television branding. Artistic individuals with animation experience, a background or a degree in the visual arts would be an advantage. Good communication skills are also part of the position.
Please send JOHANNESBURG work samples/showreel to roger@mastersandsavant.com, or send a CD/DVD for attention Roger to the Johannesburg office , 26 Susman Avenue Blairgowrie.
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3rd Talent Campus Durban at the 31st DIFF
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The 31st Durban International Film Festival (22 July – 2 August 2010) is proud to announce the 3rd edition of Talent Campus Durban from 23 – 27 July 2010, an intensive 5-day programme of workshops and seminars delivered by film professionals to enhance both theoretical and practical approaches to filmmaking. The 3rd Talent Campus Durban theme Focusing on Africa: Unleashing Talent in 2010 will focus activities towards the development and strengthening of partnerships between African filmmakers.
Talent Campus Durban invites filmmakers from Africa to apply to participate in these workshops and seminars, which take place in Durban, South Africa, over five days. In addition to specific activities offered by the Campus, the selected talents will have the opportunity to attend films and events at the 31st DIFF.
Talent Campus Durban is produced as a co-operation between DIFF and the Berlinale Talent Campus, and Berlin International Film Festival and is supported by the German Embassy in South Africa, the Goethe-Institut South Africa and the Department of Economic Development – KwaZulu-Natal.
Deadline for application: 15 March 2010. Full Rules and Regulations can be downloaded from: www.cca.ukzn.ac.za/talentdiff2010.htm
For further details, call +27 (0)31 260 2506/1367 or email talent@ukzn.ac.za
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