Fresh produce, people dressed in traditional African attire, video cameras, extras, props, tents and a yellow taxi…
These were only some of the elements that transformed the streets of Witsand into a vibrant Nigerian market for the filming of a television commercial on Thursday 13 July.
Producer Barry Bezuidenhout, who lives on a farm just outside Atlantis, explains they are shooting television commercials for Intel Computers and the plots are based on two real-life events. The commercials aim to show how access to computers, enable people in rural areas to excel.
In the first instance, you have a Nigerian woman who was able to start her own business producing chilli sauce, and this is the scene that was shot in Witsand for about four hours, if you include the time it took to set up.
Bezuidenhout says because he lives nearby he knew Witsand would be a safe area to bring the camera crew and cast members to.
The plot for the second commercial is based on a nurse whose son has a dream of becoming a doctor.
After getting access to computers he was able to pursue this dream by becoming educated and eventually finding a cure for tuberculosis.
The commercial was also shot on location at Vaatjie Primary, a chilli farm in Tierfontein, a farm outside Atlantis, Spar Milnerton, CPUT Bellville campus and at the beach.
Bezuidenhout says the commercial could not have taken place in Witsand if it were not for the buy-in of the community.
It normally takes about a week to obtain permits for road closures from the City of Cape Town and also involves engaging the community. This time the community leaders were already on board when the production company applied for the permits.
Around 75 members of the Witsand community benefited from the project; 60 were cast as extras in the commercial, 10 assisted with security and five additional committee members were on set.
