The Documentary Filmmakers’ Association (DFA) was established to nurture and develop the interests of documentary filmmakers in South Africa. The documentary film genre is unique. It stimulates public discourse, reflects on social, political, cultural and current events, explores history, commemorates heritage and unearths the mysteries of the universe and the planet. Documentaries tell stories of ordinary and extraordinary people and communities – they celebrate, question, investigate and reflect. The most accessible genre of filmmaking, it is often marginalised by the broadcast industry and by other sectors / genres within the film and video production industry. The DFA aims to unify documentary filmmakers and gain recognition for the genre.
It remains the only association in South Africa with the sole purpose of assisting, protecting and promoting documentary filmmakers. The DFA is a key member of SASFED (The South African Screen Federation). Full SASFED Member Organisations include: A.S.A. – Animation South Africa / DFA – The Documentary Filmmakers Association / IPO – The Independent Producers Organisation / PMA – The Personal Managers’ Association / SAGA – South African Guild of Actors / SAGE – South African Guild of Editors / WGSA – Writers Guild of South Africa
The DFA is a registered Non Profit Organisation (NPO) that is solely dependent on fundraising. Its mandate is governed by a constitution and a board. All activities are executed by the board members and those they appoint to tasks.
In July 2005 documentary filmmakers in Cape Town met at the Encounters International Documentary Festival and agreed unanimously to form a representative body. An interim voluntary committee drafted a mission statement and constitution. At a documentary filmmakers’ meeting in Johannesburg in August 2006, a national body was formed. The DFA held its first Annual General Meeting on 21 April 2007 where the constitution was unanimously accepted.
The DFA launched its new board at Encounters Film Festival on the 13th and 22nd of July 2007 in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Since then the DFA Board has responded to several industry issues, such as the DTI Rebate, started a bursary scheme for DFA membership, and initiated a communications strategy by web site, Facebook, and e-mail newsletters.
In order to assess progress and design more effective and efficient ways to execute its mandate, the 2008 board and some members attended a Strategy session on the 9th of January 2008. On 22 January 2011, the board once again came together to assess its mandate.
BOARD 2019- 2020 |
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Chair: Antoinette Engel | |
Chair: Miki Redelinghuys | |
Treasurer: Izette Mostert | |
Fiduciary: Pat van Heerden | |
Board member: Rehad Desai | |
Board member: Richard Gregory | |
Board member: Milly Takalani Mulaudzi | |
Board member: Desmond Naidoo | |
Board member: Enver Samuel | |
Board member: Xoliswa Sithole | |
Board member: Mumtaaz Mohamed-Peerbhay | |
Board member: Sandz Tshefu | |
Public Officer: Thea Aboud | |
Newsletter and PR: Liezel Vermeulen | |
BOARD 2018-2019 |
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Chair: Desmond Naidoo | |
Treasurer: Izette Mostert | |
Fiduciary: Pat van Heerden | |
Board member: Enver Samuel | |
Board member: Sylvia Vollenhoven | |
Board member: Mamokuena Makhena | |
Board member: Lauren Groenewald | |
Board member: Jacqueline Rainers-Setai | |
Board member: Obakeng Malope | |
Board member: Richard Gregory | |
Board member: Younus Salie | |
Public Officer: Thea Aboud | |
Newsletter and PR: Liezel Vermeulen | |
BOARD 2017-2018 |
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Chair: Desmond Naidoo | |
Treasurer: Izette Mostert | |
Fiduciary: Pat van Heerden | |
Board member: Enver Samuel | |
Board member: Sylvia Vollenhoven | |
Board member: Mamokuena Makhena | |
Board member: Lauren Groenewald | |
Board member: Jacqueline Rainers-Setai | |
Board member: Obakeng Malope | |
Board member: Richard Gregory | |
Board member: Younus Salie | |
Public Officer: Thea Aboud | |
Newsletter and PR: Liezel Vermeulen | |
BOARD 2016 – 2017 |
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Chair: Lesedi Moche | |
Treasurer: Izette Mostert | |
Board Member: Nadine Cloete | |
Board Member: Desmond Naidoo | |
Board Member: Enver Samuel | |
Board Member: Jolynn Minnaar | |
Board Member: Kgomotso Nkele | |
Board Member: Riaan Hendricks | |
Board Member: Zivia Desai Keiper | |
Board Member: Marc Schwinges | |
Fiduciary: Pat van Heerden | |
Administrator: Thea Aboud | |
DFA Newsletter: Liezel Vermeulen | |
Co-opted Tertiary Institutions: Lieza Louw, Liani Maasdorp | |
BOARD 2015 – 2016 |
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Chair: Nadine Cloete | |
Co-Chair (Fiduciary): Pat van Heerden | |
Treasurer: Izette Mostert | |
Secretary: Molatelo Mainetjie | |
Board Member: Desmond Naidoo | |
Board Member: Enver Samuel | |
Board Member: Jolynn Minnaar | |
Board Member: Kgomotso Nkele | |
Board Member: Lesedi Moche | |
Board Member: Riaan Hendricks | |
Administrator: Thea Aboud | |
DFA Newsletter: Liezel Vermeulen | |
Co-opted Tertiary Institutions: Lieza Louw, Liani Maasdorp | |
BOARD 2014 – 2015 |
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Co-chair: Teboho Pietersen | |
Co-chair: Nadine Cloete | |
Treasurer: Izette Mostert | |
Board member: Lieza Louw | |
Board member: Felix Seuffert | |
Board member: Kgomotso Matsunyane | |
Board member: Naashon Zalk | |
Board member: Molatelo Mainetje | |
Board member: Simphiwe Ngcobo | |
Board member: Kgomotso Nkele | |
Administrator: Thea Aboud | |
BOARD 2013 – 2014 |
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Chair: Teboho Pietersen | |
Co-chair: Theresa Hill | |
Treasurer: Izette Mostert | |
Secretary: Nadine Cloete | |
Board member: Lieza Louw | |
Board member: Neil Brandt | |
Board member: Ryley Grunenwald | |
Board member: Laddie Bosch | |
Board member: Arya Lalloo | |
Board member: Simon Wood | |
Administrator: Thea Aboud | |
BOARD 2012 – 2013 |
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Chair: Odette Geldenhuys | |
Treasurer: Izette Mostert | |
Deputy Treasurer: Sifiso Khanyile | |
Secretary: Candice Prinsloo | |
Transformation portfolio: Mayenzeke Baza | |
Board member: Ryley Grunenwald | |
Board member: Neil Brandt | |
Board member: Mark Kaplan | |
Board member: Teboho Pietersen | |
Board member: Jacqueline van Meygaarden | |
Administrator: Thea Aboud | |
BOARD 2011 – 2012 |
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Co-chair Durban: Odette Geldenhuys | |
Co-chair Cape Town: Tina-Louise Smith | |
Deputy chair Johannesburg: Neil Brandt | |
Treasurer: Izette Mostert | |
Secretary: TinaShe Makwandwe | |
Board member: Ryley Grunenwald | |
Administrator: Thea Aboud | |
BOARD 2010 – 2011 |
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Co-chair Cape Town: Lauren Groenewald | |
Co-chair Johannesburg: Matome Senyolo | |
Co-vice chair Durban: Odette Geldenhuys | |
Co-vice chair Johannesburg: Marc Schwinges | |
Treasurer: Pascal Schmitz | |
Secretary: Tina-Louise Smith | |
Youth portfolio: Dylan Valley | |
Board Member: Simon Taylor | |
Administrator: Thea Aboud | |
BOARD 2009 – 2010 |
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Co-chair Johannesburg: Ingrid Gavshon | |
Co-chair Cape Town: Lauren Groenewald | |
Deputy Chair: Matome Senyolo | |
Deputy Chair: Llewellyn Roderick | |
Treasurer: Marc Schwinges | |
Co-secretary: Theresa Meyer | |
Co-secretary: Pascal Schmitz | |
Youth Portfolio: Dylan Valley | |
Regional Portfolio: Ayanda Mncwabe | |
Industry Liaison: Khalid Shamis | |
BOARD 2008 – 2009 |
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Co-chair Johannesburg: Tula Dlamini | |
Co-chair Cape Town: Miki Redelinghuys | |
Treasurer: Michael Lee | |
Secretary: Catherine Muller | |