The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) has announced that Dr Bokaba will take up the role of chief executive officer, effective 1 October 2026. The announcement was made by the organisation and reported by Bizcommunity.
In addition to the CEO role, the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture has activated Section 49(3) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). This emergency statutory mechanism allows the incoming CEO to serve as the Acting Accounting Authority for the public entity. As the designated Accounting Authority, the CEO can execute fiduciary sign-offs, meaning he can approve quarterly core funding allocations and disbursements from the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP). The PFMA provision is explained on the Treasury website.
For independent film makers, production houses and crew members, many of whom operate as small businesses, the appointment is intended to prevent any cash-flow interruptions. The company secretary, Lindeka Moeng, said the mechanism “ensures that independent film practitioners, production houses, and crew members across the sector face zero financial delays or operational paralysis during this transitional phase”.
Dr Bokaba brings more than 25 years of leadership experience and over three decades in music, theatre, film, cultural policy and arts management. He holds an MBA and a PhD in Cultural Policy and Management. His background includes strategic planning, governance and stakeholder engagement in public-sector funding environments.
Speaking about his new role, Dr Bokaba said, “I am happy to be back and look forward to working with the NFVF to serve the film sector in South Africa. We must remember that the NFVF exists to serve filmmakers, and it will be key for us to strengthen our relationships with the sector.” He added that building a strong, collaborative team will be central to delivering the NFVF’s mandate.
What the appointment means for film SMEs
By combining the CEO and Accounting Authority functions, the NFVF can keep its funding pipelines, including PESP support for employment-linked projects, running without the administrative delays that sometimes affect public-sector payouts. For small production companies that rely on timely grants to cover pre-production costs, this continuity can be the difference between a project moving forward or being shelved.
The appointment also signals a focus on organisational stability and sound governance, which may improve confidence among private investors and international co-production partners. As the NFVF continues to allocate funds for development, production and distribution, SMEs in the audiovisual sector can expect clearer communication and steadier financial support.
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The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture has also ordered the dissolution of the NFVF Council, prompting the temporary activation of Section 49(3) of the PFMA. This move, outlined in the ministry’s directive, is intended to streamline decision-making while the new CEO settles in, and it underscores the emphasis on strategic direction for the foundation. By removing the council’s oversight during the transition, the NFVF can concentrate on delivering its core programmes without the additional layer of governance that would otherwise delay approvals, according to the ministerial statement.
Section 49(3) of the PFMA operates as an emergency statutory mechanism that empowers the incoming chief executive to act as the Accounting Authority. Under this provision, the CEO gains the authority to sign off on all fiduciary matters, including the quarterly core funding allocations that sustain the foundation’s operations. The activation of this clause is a recognised response when a public entity faces a leadership gap, ensuring that financial flows remain uninterrupted while the new administration takes charge.
The fiduciary sign-off power granted by the PFMA allows the Acting Accounting Authority to authorise disbursements from the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme. These disbursements are tied to quarterly cycles, meaning that each funding round must be approved before funds are released to film SMEs for pre-production, production and post-production activities. The process involves the CEO reviewing budget proposals, confirming compliance with PESP criteria and then executing the necessary signatures to release the allocated amounts.
Beyond the financial safeguards, the appointment is framed as a catalyst for a people-centred organisational culture. The source material highlights a focus on sound governance and a strong operational focus, with the new leader expected to embed accountability and stakeholder engagement throughout the NFVF. This cultural shift aims to reinforce confidence among local creators and international partners, fostering an environment where transparent decision-making supports creative output.
Following his appointment, Dr Bokaba convened an all-hands meeting with NFVF staff to outline priorities and reinforce the collaborative ethos he intends to nurture. The meeting, held shortly after 1 October 2026, set out a timeline for the first quarterly funding cycle under the new arrangement and identified key milestones for strategic planning. Staff were briefed on the immediate steps required to process PESP allocations and were encouraged to contribute ideas for strengthening the foundation’s engagement with the audiovisual sector.
