Walvis Bay – A renowned Canadian film company, MANKS Motion Picture Studios, is expecting to inject millions of dollars into the Walvis Bay economy by teaming up with a local film company to set up a film studio at Walvis Bay.
According to Jan Kruger, acting general manager of human resources, council can rake in over N$77 million from the project, while over 4 000 jobs will be created if the project gets the green light.
However, the Walvis Bay council failed to reach a consensus on a recommendation to sell over 116 hectares of land for the establishment of a multi-million-dollar film studio at Farm 37.
The company applied for unserviced land through Starting Right Investments 372 for the construction of the studios in Walvis Bay.
One of the partners of the project, James Russell, on Friday, confirmed their intention to New Era.
“I have just been informed that our proposal was only discussed but not approved by the municipality, so we will not be able to release details of our project to the media yet. I can tell you that our incorporated company is now called Walvis Bay Motion Picture Studios,” Russell told New Era.
MANKS Motion Picture Studios is Canada’s first black-owned motion picture studio.
Farm 37 is a vast land, situated seven kilometres east of Walvis Bay, and can yield over 30 000 regular size erven as well as business activities.
Explaining during the council meeting on Friday, chairperson of the management committee Richard Hoaeb said the company on 20 February indicated they wish to acquire land on Farm 37 to build film studios in Walvis Bay.
“The applicant indicated they wish to acquire land to build world-class TV and motion picture studios in Walvis Bay. They identified portions 30 and 31, the remainder of Farm 37, for their envisaged development,” Hoaeb said during the council meeting.
He added the development will include four soundstages with production offices, three support buildings, a three-floor administrative building with classrooms, a post-production studio, credit union, offices, board rooms, a cafeteria, security and ground crew offices.
Apart from that, Hoaeb said the construction will also include 45 living units.
The council has set in motion plans to move backyard squatters from Walvis Bay to Farm 37. However, on Friday, residents were stopped by the Namibian police after invading Farm 37.
Council was expected to move the first 50 people last year already but the registration process of the backyard tenants started only earlier this year.
On Friday, the frustrated group of about 200 people arrived en masse in minibuses and taxis with blankets and camping equipment to camp at the open land, earmarked for the housing development by the municipality.
However, they were threatened with arrest if they illegally occupied the land.
Farm 37 was identified in 2016 by the former council and the late Erongo governor Cleophas Mutjavikua as the solution to the housing shortage the town is facing. It is situated about 7km east of Walvis Bay.
Council minutes presented at the meeting also indicated the two portions identified by the film company are not formalised in terms of the Urban and Regional Planning Act, and the company has to go through all planning processes to create or establish the township legally.
“This proposal must be seen as a unique development proposition that will significantly contribute to the growth and development of Walvis Bay. This development, in our view, will uplift Farm 37 and set a trend for other developments to follow. Therefore, the application is supported, as it will bring about much-needed job opportunities to Walvis Bay,” the council minutes read.
It was then recommended that the two portions be sold by private transaction at N$66.62 per square metre.
However, some councillors object to such a huge piece of land being granted to the film company, saying Walvis Bay is battling with the shortage of land.
Councillor Albertina Nkoshi said the housing and land shortage has been a battle on its own, and allocating such sizable land might have negative implications in future.
“Let us think about our children and the generations to come. Where and how will they be accommodated if we dish out land like that?, “she questioned.
Councillor Paulus Kauhondamwa also shared similar sentiments, suggesting that the issue be discussed before the land is allocated and the size be decreased.
However, councillor Ryan Gordon said the development can have massive opportunities for Walvis Bay residents, especially those who will be relocating to Farm 37.
The job opportunities and economic spinoffs will be massive for our town, and we should not sleep on the project, “he said.