New training tool for roadies

“It is our aim to train personnel who go on to boost the live event industry and filming so that these industries grow with knowledgeable technical crews. Arts centres in various communities also continue to benefit,” says Freddie Nyathela, president of SARA.

SARA, formed in 1992, receives 99% of its support from overseas organisations, where an increasing number of international friends have come to know of its existence and have been able to help tremendously over the years. It moved into new operations facilities situated at 55 Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown, Johannesburg, made possible by funds raised primarily from the National Lottery Fund and international partnership support.

The new facility now houses skills transfer programs including an expanded resource centre and library, with adequate technical space for sound, lighting and staging equipment, [owned by the association], administrative and workshop facilities. The facility is named and is home to the ‘Institute for Sound, Lighting and Staging.'

SARA is fully accredited by MAPPP-SETA to service Further Education and Training Certification, and Live Events & Technical Production qualification.

It has embarked on setting up satellites throughout the country's provinces as demand for its members' services pick up. “Currently we are in Gauteng but we are expanding to reach outlying provinces. If we get support from our government, especially the Department of Arts and Culture, we will rollout our programme to needy areas. We are talking here of skills that will enable our members to work anywhere in the world. We are serious about creating employment and we have been doing that with excellent results,” continues Nyathela.

World Cup readiness

Talking about the forthcoming 2010 World Cup soccer showcase, Nyathela says that his organisation is more than prepared to handle the expected influx of regional and foreign production and media houses that will come through. However, he says, as a country we might still be found wanting in terms of personnel if previous experience is considered.

“During the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in the country some years ago, South Africa had to import over 50 technicians and several tons of equipment from Europe,” he concludes.