South Africa, May 15 -- More than ever, viewers are connecting with stories that reflect their languages, cultures and lived experiences. Behind every production is a wide network of writers, directors, performers, camera crews, editors, designers and technical specialists, all contributing to a creative economy that continues to expand and evolve.

Yet alongside this growing demand for local content, a persistent challenge remains. Piracy!

Illegal streaming services, unauthorised decoders, content theft and digital redistribution may appear harmless to some viewers, but the consequences are far-reaching. Piracy undermines the value of original work, diverts revenue away from the people who create it and weakens the industry's ability t...