– On Thursday 27th October 2022, Netflix, the world’s leading streaming entertainment service, announced the Southern African recipients of its scholarship initiatives in Southern Africa. The scholarship includes the Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF) and the BLM Postgraduate Scholarship Programme which were both established in the past year to provide financial support to African creatives to access quality tertiary education in film and TV-focused disciplines. The scholarship fund for sub-Saharan students is part of Netflix’s global Netflix Creative Equity Fund launched in 2021 with the goal of developing a strong, diverse pipeline of creatives around the world.
The Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund celebrated the inaugural cohort of 54 beneficiaries from 5 countries (South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Zambia) studying across 4 provinces in South Africa in the Western Cape, the Easter Cape, Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal, at a ceremony held at Johannesburg’s University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).
Meet the 54 Netflix Scholarship Beneficiaries:
- Recipients of the Creative Equity Scholarship Fund: Western Cape Institutions – Bryce Donson, Cheryl Sambadzai, Erin Daries, Ian le Roux,Munashe Makado, Refiloe Mathafeng, Tiny Mapodile, Zerina Sumayya Cunningham & Zulaighah Daniels. Eastern Cape Institutions– Mwango West Muntemba Kondolo & Thembani Tile. Gauteng Institutions – Amy James, Bonolo Sethabela, Ikaneng Moleko, Jonett Olivier, Kamogelo Riba, Kiara Johnson, Luthando Makwange, Molemo Moalosi, Naledi Kganyago, Nandipha Ngozwana, Nicolas Sithole, Nigel Wurayayi, Nokuthula Sithole, Odwa Kolwane, Olifha Munyai, Patience Kango, Simphiwe Mabaso, Teana Chiba, Thapelo Mabuza, Thobile Maseko, Tricel Ngwenya & Tshegofatso Makwase. KZN Institutions – Lwandile Duma, Ntokozo Mshengu & Onwaba Msebi.
- Recipients of the BLM Postgraduate Scholarship Programme: Western Cape Institutions – Cwenga Katlego, Mohamed Khalil & Thuthuka Qoza. Gauteng Institutions – Dineo Vanessa Nthutang, Masilakhe Benathi Giyose, Mukhethwa Mahlabe, Nobulali Kama, Ofentse Mojapelo, Queenzela Mokoena, Sèrvane Lewane, Sibongiseni Sabelo Zaca, Sibusiso Matsimela & Tshepang Galane. KZN Institutions – Acacia Anthony, Buhle Ntshangase, Nothando Zondo, Onesimo Mafumbatha & Anele Ngcobo.
All the beneficiaries have received a full scholarship which includes – tuition, accommodation, living stipend and education supplies. The inaugural cohort of awardees have enrolled for postgraduate, honours and degree courses across Film and Television Studies programmes at 9 different tertiary institutions. The program is currently being administered by Tshikululu Social Investments in partnership with AFDA, WITS, UCT, UJ, AACA, TUT, CityVarsity, UKZN and the University of Pretoria. These nine institutions of higher learning in South Africa support the formal qualification and training of aspiring creatives from the region.
The ‘Class of 2022 Roll Call’ event served as an informal ceremony to bring together students, partner institutions and key stakeholders together to celebrate the scholarship’s recipients and the program at large. In attendance were various government agency representatives, the Minister of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies; Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Chief Director of Industrial Financing of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition; Susan Mangole, Manager of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at the Film and Publication Board (FPB); Pandelis Gregoriou, and Chairperson of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF); Tholoana Ncheke. Also present at the event were members of the partner higher-education institutions – Diaan Lawrenson, AFDA Dean; Dr René Smith, Wits Head of School for Arts, Mayenzeke Baza from the Independent Black Filmmakers Collective (IBFC); and Thandi Davids, Co-Chair of the Independent Producers Organisation (IPO).
The event was hosted by the Netflix team which Larry Tanz (VP of Global TV), Ben Amadasun (Director of Content – Middle East & Africa); Dorothy Ghettuba (Director of Series – Africa), Thandeka Matatu (Director of Film – Africa), Nkateko Mabaso (Director of Licensing & Co-Productions – Africa), Risper Muthamia (Manager of Series – Africa), Allison Triegaardt (Manager of Grow Creative – Africa) and Shola Sanni (Director of Public Policy – SSA). alongside other Netflix executives who were present to celebrate the new generation of African storytellers.
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