Transform SA Digital Issue 29 - Magazine - Page 39
ENTREPRENEURS
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
In recent years, there has been an explosion of films exploring
African traditions. With the advent of online platforms such as
Netflix and Showmax, African filmmakers are set to compete on a
global stage. But we can’t ignore the impact of film festivals.
Nceba Mqolomba is a father, a filmmaker, a
maskandi activist, and the director of the Eastern
Cape Film Festival. The Uitenhage born and
bred studied drama at the Durban University Of
Technology. He dabbled in acting before deciding
that being in front of a camera was not for him.
The Eastern Cape Film festival has been running
for the past 5 years without any funding. However,
this year the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and
Culture stepped in to give the festival a financial
boost. The festival has provided a platform for
budding and established filmmakers to mingle,
and production houses to discover new talent.
The EC Film Festival is working towards extending
its footprint by partnering with Encounters
International Documentary, one of the well-known
festivals in Africa.
What has been your role and contribution to
the film industry?
I’ve always had a passion for entertainment and
imparting knowledge using visual arts, which I can
also call edutainment. As artists, we are always told
that we can create what people would like to see,
which means you can educate while you entertain.
This is useful, especially for the younger generation.
We can educate them with stories, dancing, poetry,
and painting. That’s how you grab their attention.
What is your goal with the Eastern Cape
festival?
Our goal is to make it go international. We want
it to be one of the top film festivals in Africa. We
want to take it from Eastern Cape to Europe to
consolidate our distribution channels. I believe as
Africans we don’t use our traditions and customs
to the fullest. For us in order to have confidence,
we need to be proud of our culture.
“I believe as Africans we
don’t use our traditions and
customs to the fullest.”
A MUSICIAN-TURNED ENTREPRENEUR
Many musicians are happy just creating music and enjoying the lifestyle of being
famous. Only a few can go ahead and create other authentic things with their hands.
Kagiso Diseko (or Gwyza as he is popularly known in
the music circle), has turned into an entrepreneur. After
dabbling in the music industry for many years, Diseko
returned to study at the AFDA and Vega School of
Advertising, doing a diploma in brand communications.
Fast forward to 2020, Diseko is turning hard wood into
furniture.
“I started the business
because I wanted to
make a living, but
also because I needed
something that could
keep me busy.”
How did your business come about?
My business that came out of the Covid-19 crisis. I started
the business because I wanted to make a living, but also
because I needed something that could keep me busy.
There was anger, then insanity but serenity prevailed. I have
pallets at home and tools so I started taking them apart.
The next thing I did was a bench, and from then, I made
a table. And that’s how my business venture was born.
You shared your work on social media and people
started noticing his work; tell us more about that.
Yes. People started placing orders, and before I knew it;
demand exceeded supply. That called for extra hands to
help me create more furniture. But as fate would have it,
I ended up employing wrong people who would later
come and break into my home. That minor setback didn’t
discourage me to continue servicing my clients and setting
a good example to young people.
What’s your take on Transformation?
Most people are not ready to transform their minds.
Covid19 found me in the process of transforming my life.
I was fortunate in that.
Volume 27 • 2020
37
