The filmmakers’

guide

to a world of lo

cations in

Zululand & Ilembe North

Coast,

South Africa.

Tel: +27 (0)35 799 2614www.zululandfilmoffice.co.za

56 01

INDEXc INTRODUCTION TO ZULULAND FILM OFFICE 03

c OVERVIEW 05

c MAP 04

c LOCATIONS 05

c USEFUL INFORMATION 33

c PROCEDURES & REGULATIONS 55

arrangements on public streets must completeSection II.

• All individuals applying for permission where filmingwill require the presence of emergency services mustcomplete Section III.

6. Deposit necessary funds as arrangement with theappropriate local authorities.

7. Once all required documentation is in place, proceedto film on specified date and time.

Permission must be obtained from landowners if privateproperty is to be used. If a location falls within any of thegame reserves under jurisdiction of the KwaZulu-Natalconservation organisation, Emvelo KZN Wildlife, specialapplications must be obtained through their Public AffairsOffice.

Once permission has been granted, adequate notificationmust be given to those who will be affected by the filming.

This brochure was commissioned by the uThungulu District Municipalityon behalf of Zululand Film Office and produced by Graphic Dimensions.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmittedin any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, without prior permission, in writing from uThungulu.

While every effort has been made to ensure the facts contained in this publication are correct,uThungulu or the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or ommissions.

Design & Layout: Graphic Dimensions • Photography: Anita de Villiers, Thys van der Merwe & Tony Smith

02

Procedure and Permissionfor Filming on

Municipal PropertyFilming on any civic or municipal property requirespermission from the local authority concerned. Permissionmust be obtained for filming within a self-enclosed location,on all roads, streets or sidewalks.

It is recommend that permit applications be applied fornot later than five working days before filming

Procedure:1. Contact the ZFO to obtain permission applications,

indemnity forms and relevant local authority contactnames and numbers, or download the information fromour website at www.zululandfilmoffice.co.za.

2. Contact relevant local authorities to confirm permissionfor fi lming, quotes and payment arrangements.

3. Complete appropriate applications.4. Sign indemnity forms and include a R2 revenue stamp.5. Submit forms to relevant local authorities:

• Film production companies applying for anypermission to film in any civic or municipal locationmust complete Section I.

• All individuals applying for permission to film on aroad, street, or sidewalk, or need parking

55

The Zululand Film Officewww.zululandfilmoffice.co.za

The Zululand Film Office, incorporating Ilembe North Coast, officially promotes andacts as industry facilitator for the feature film, television, video and stills photographyproduction trade. It is funded by and operates under the auspices of the uThunguluDistrict Municipality based in the Zululand port city of Richards Bay.

CONTACT

uThungulu District Municipality:

Anita TaitTel: +27 (0)35 799 2516Mobile: +27 (0)83 626 3504

Anushka MakkaTel: +27 (0)35 799 2614

Private Bag X1025Richards Bay, 3900

Fax: +27 (0)35 789 8176E-mail: taita@uthungulu.co.za

tourism@uthungulu.co.za

54 03

04 53

Vehicle Rentals (Richards Bay)Avis ..........................................................................035 789 6549Avis Van and 4X4 Rental ..........................................035 789 3097Budget Rent-a-Car...................................................035 786 0986Europcar ..................................................................035 786 1881Hertz.........................................................................035 786 1201Imperial ....................................................................035 786 0311National Car Rental ..................................................035 786 00014x4 Vehicle Rental....................................................035 751 1565

Air TravelRichards Bay Airport................................................035 789 9630.................................................................................

035 786 0119Richards Bay Aero Club...........................................083 325 7607Charter Service (Bell Air Charter) ............................035 907 9380National Airline (SA Express) ...................................035 786 0530

Bus TravelGreyhound (Empangeni) .........................................035 772 4536.................................................................................

035 792 1283Greyhound (Richards Bay) ......................................035 789 3904

Travel AgenciesAmerican Express....................................................035 789 6815Flight Centre.............................................................035 789 2310Harvey World Travel .................................................035 786 1523Rennies Travel..........................................................035 789 0933Sure Quay Jet Travel ................................................035 788 0107

52 05

The Pulse of the Zulu Kingdomland of visual perfection

Situated in the sub-tropical northern parts of the KwaZulu-Natal province, the Zululandand Ilembe North Coast regions offer creative visual practitioners a scenic diversityand multi-cultural heritage not easily found elsewhere.

It is the heartland of the proud, world-renowned Zulu nation where traditions steepedin history are still relevant and practiced today. Home to the famed Battlefield routeswhere the Zulu warriors engaged the might of the British Empire, the resultant Anglo-Zulu cultural fusion remains.

The combined 11 500 square kilometer region’s natural resources are equally diverse,offering a wide selection of locations to meet most visual and thematic requirements.The entire eastern borderline is flanked by the warm Indian Ocean and spectaculargolden beaches – of which long stretches are isolated from people traffic that allowsfor undisturbed filming or photographic assignments.

This is supplemented by a series of river estuaries, large undeveloped openwaterways, mangrove swamps and indigenous coastal forests.

There is a good urban and rural mix.

The Port of Richards Bay, the deepest and largest in South Africa, is the focal pointof the region’s modern, first world infrastructure. The country’s newest city boastsan impressive assortment of locations and facilities: airport, docking berths forpassenger liners and super tankers, international yacht club, some of South Africa’s

06 51

largest industries, modern shopping centres, contemporary suburban living, topmedical facilities, communication centres, first-rate accommodation, as well as roadand rail networks. Amazingly, the city is still surrounded by untouched lakes andestuaries where crocodile and hippo dwell in complete harmony with the developedenvironment.

Stretching inland, the diversity continues. The five Great Zululand Forests areinterspersed with grassy plains, meandering valleys, misty mountains, endless greenrolling hills and game reserves where elephant, rhinoceros and leopard roam. Andnext door, to the north-west, one finds KwaZulu-Natal’s internationally rated “BigFive” iMfolozi-Hluhluwe and Mkhuze game reserves, just down the road from the StLucia Wetlands World Heritage Site.

To the south, the Ilembe District borders the province’s largest harbour city of Durban.A tourism paradise known as the Dolphin Coast, it is the hosting site of the proposedKing Shaka International Airport to replace the existingDurban international aviation gateway to the province.Zululand is your visual empowerment station.

Transport and travelAll the main routes in the uThungulu DistrictMunicipality are served by well-maintained tarredroads. Secondary untarred roads are alsoconstantly maintained to ensure trouble-freepassage. Only a handful of the wilderness areasmay require four-wheel driving conditions.

The public transport system is limited, especiallyin outlying areas and it is advised that vehiclerental be used for visiting crews.

The Richards Bay Airport, with a runway lengthof 1 300 metres, is the region’s main air link withdaily flights from Johannesburg. Air fields forsmaller aircraft are scattered throughout the region and more information about theirlocations can be obtained through the ZFO and Municipal contacts listed above.

Key transport contact details:Road and travel conditions

Traffic departments: .................................................035 9011663/7725503KwaZulu-Natal Traffic Department ...........................0800 339 911Automobile Association of S.A.................................031 265 0437Breakdown services.................................................082 16111

50 07

08 49

SecurityAlthough standard policing is in place throughout the Zululand area, it would beadvisable to check the situation with the Zululand Film Office or municipal contactslisted for guidance if you plan to work in remote areas.A list of security companies who can provide protection and guard services for majorshoots can be found on the ZFO website: www.zululandfilmoffice.co.zaEmergency - Dial 10111 for the police and 10177 for an ambulance.

Shopping/suppliesModern shopping centres are available in all major towns, while Supermarketsstocking the full range of essentials and luxuries are present in all the district’s smallertowns. Regular shopping hours are 08h30 to 17h00-19h00 and during morningsover weekends.

TaxSouth Africa’s Value Added Tax (VAT) is set at 14% and is included in the markedprice of most goods and services. Foreign visitors can have VAT refunded at a portof exit, provided that the value of each invoice for goods purchased exceeds R50and the value of the total items purchased exceeds R250. To qualify for a refund,visitors must be in possession of a valid passport, valid tax invoices and mustproduce the goods purchased.