‘Management of cost and time overruns is crucial in ensuring the success of project plans in South Africa and globally. Every organisation should thus ensure that cost and time for all projects are well-managed.’

So said Mr Sithembiso Gigaba who was awarded a Master of Business Administration (MBA) for his study entitled: The Causes and Consequences of Cost and Time Overrun on KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission Funded Projects.

The study aimed to ascertain the cause for these overruns and to identify practical measures to minimise them.

The study found that when beneficiaries raised additional funding, this led to budget rollovers. Staff shortages and an increased workload also contributed to project delays.

Furthermore, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the July 2021 unrest and floods in April 2022 in KwaZulu-Natal resulted in production budget increases.

Based on the findings, Gigaba recommends the Film Commission address its operational deficiencies by filling vacancies, providing additional human resource support, and reviewing policies and business processes that contribute to delays.

He said his MBA journey was not without challenges. ‘It wasn’t easy to remain positive about my topic once I realised that there wasn’t enough literature on it, but I had to dig deep with a mindset that my study will increase the body of knowledge in this field and assist future researchers.’

Gigaba hopes the qualification will elevate his overall business understanding and open doors to more high-level employment opportunities.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini