6 June 2006
Jock of the Bushveld country could soon have a new film star. Negotiations are due to start on shooting a multi-million rand movie in the historic gold mining town of Barberton in Mpumalanga province, based on the story of gold rush entertainer and entrepreneur "Cockney Liz".
According to Mpumalanga economic development and planning MEC Sipho Lubisi, filming could start once negotiations between the production company and his department have been finalised.
"Negotiations will be opening within the next two weeks between our province and an international film production company to shoot a high-budget film in Barberton," Lubisi said in Nelspruit on Monday while presenting his department's budget for 2006/07.
Barberton, situated 70 kilometres from the Kruger National Park, had the first stock exchange in Africa and is home to the world's oldest functioning gold mine - and some of the oldest uncovered rocks on the planet.
The height of the gold rush was 1886, when Barberton was a rough and ready frontier town and Cockney Liz the miners' favourite entertainer.
Cockney Liz arrived in Barberton by mail-coach in 1887, apparently in search of her fiancé. She did not find him, but local hotel owner Stafford Parker took her under his wing when he discovered that her beauty, combined with her singing and dancing, assured him of a full house.
The film deal negotiations follow Mpumalanga's participation at the locations expo of the Association of Film Commissions International in Los Angeles in April.
Lubisi said the province would establish a film commission by the end of the financial year to "manage the industry's provincial strategy for growth, and coordinate all logistical arrangements for film shoots."
One of the criticisms levelled against international movie makers who filmed in the province was that they failed to acknowledge the region in the movie credits. Such movies include The Ghost and the Darkness, which starred Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer.
"In the credits, they said the movie was shot in Johannesburg, instead of Mpumalanga, which was totally wrong," said Samuel Mpatlanyane, spokesperson for the department of culture, sports and recreation.
Last week Hollywood superstar Leonardo Di Caprio was in Malelane, on the doorstep of the Kruger National Park, shooting his latest movie, Blood Diamonds.
Lubisi said the economic spin-offs of a movie being shot in the province were countless. "People can make costumes, do the catering, provide transport or just simply star as extras," he said.
SouthAfrica.info reporter and BuaNews
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