The Swaziland Times – May 2004

By Musa Simelane

Mbabane – Government has admitted having made a ridiculous claim of E1million just for a road blockade to allow for the filming of the movie “Wah Wah” which is directed by renowned Swazi-born British director, Richard E. Grant.

Sources say the film producers were so stunned and infuriated by the preposterous demand, which rose from just E500 000 and escalated to a whopping million Emalangeni, a move that was strongly motivated by a committee of stakeholders that was established by the government to work with the filmmaker.

However, the producers of the film, which is currently being shot in Piggs Peak, were only able to come up with a total of E170 000, which is a far cry from the money government requested.

Minister of Public Service and Information, Themba Msibi, when confronted on this matter explained that government had initially wanted E500 000 upfront to compensate for the roadblocks and other inconveniences that would be caused during the filming of the movie.

“The E1million was not in the initial agreement which was to be signed. In fact government in its records was charging the filmmaker E500 000 but the committee found it inadequate.” explained Msibi.

The committee felt that the E0.5 million was too little to cover, for instance, the loss of income for businesses that will be temporarily closed to allow the film shoot. More monies would also have to be provided for damage of property.

But Msibi made mention that the last time he checked, government was finally agreeing to the E170 000, which was the filmmaker’s final offer.

“Initially they were offering only E100 000.” revealed the minister.

“Wah Wah” will not only be shot at Pigg’s Peak but also in the streets of Mbabane and other parts of the country as well. This will necessitate the temporary blockading of certain streets, such as Johnson Street (Dzeliwe Street) in which a number of businesses operate.

Asked how the kingdom stands to benefit from having its resources used, the minister responded that the Swazi landscape would be marketed worldwide, something that would boost local tourism.

“That’s what they told us,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, One of the production managers of the film in question, Lynne-Anne Vissor, declined to comment when reached on this matter. She said a press statement would be issued in future.