AFDA Alumni

🏆🔥 AFDA alumni shine with 13 Golden Horn awards at SAFTAs 2021 🏆🔥 . Taking place as a virtual extravaganza on 22 May 2021, The 15th South African Film and Television Awards was hosted by Dineo Langa, Mpho Popps, and Graeme Richards. The theme of the awards was “Still Shining” and that is just what AFDA alumni did, winning 13 prestigious Golden Horn awards. . In the Feature Film Category alumnus Jozua Malherbe picked up the Best Director – Feature Film award for his work on “Griekwastad”, with the film also receiving the Best Feature Film award. Alumna Rene van Rooyen who wrote and directed the South African Oscar candidate film, “Toorbos” walked off with the Best Scriptwriting – Feature Film award and alumnus Rory O Grady took the Best Cinematography award, for his jaw-dropping work on the Netflix film, “Riding with Sugar”. . Alumnus Mandla Ngcongwane, better known as Mandla N from the production house, Black Brain Pictures, picked up two awards, the first for his film “Loving Thokoza” in the Best Made for TV Movie category and the second he won the Best Achievement in Original Music/Score – TV Drama for his work on “Lockdown Season 5”, which he also happened to direct. . The Netflix series “Blood and Water” written and directed by alumni Travis Taute, Nosipho Dumisa and Daryne Joshua of the production house, Gambit Films was always going to be in the running, bagging the Best TV Drama award as well as the Best Cinematography – TV Drama award which went to alumnus Zenn van Zyl. . Alumnus Etienne Fourie was not going to miss out on the drama in the TV Drama category and took home the Best Directing – TV Drama award for “Tydelik Terminal”. . In the TV Comedy category, alumni Lwazi Mvusi, Joshua Rous and Meren Reddy won the Best Scriptwriting – TV Comedy award for their scriptwriting on “Black Tax”. Alumnus Melanie Jankes stepped into the spotlight winning the Best Editing – TV Comedy award for her work on “How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding” and alumna Martha Sibanyoni won the Best Art Direction – TV Comedy award for her work on “How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding”. . #AFDA #afdaalumni #film #filmmaking #HumansofAFDA #AFDAforEveryone #saftas2021 #saftas15

🔥🎼AFDA alumni pick up 4 nominations at SAMA’s 👏🔥 . The nominees for the 27th edition of the South African Music Awards (Sama27) were announced on SABC1 on the 19 May with AFDA alumni bagging four nominations in three categories. . In the Best Alternative Music Album category, alumnus Bongeziwe Mabandla received a nomination for his most recent album “iimini”. Bongeziwe has previously won the SAMA in this category in 2018 with his album “Mangaliso”. . In the Best Collaboration category, alumnus Riky Rick was nominated for “Mali Eningi” – Big Zulu featuring Intaba Yase Dubai. . In the Best Produced Music Video category, alumnus Kyle Lewis was nominated for his work on “Qhawe – Made to Create”. Alumnus Ofentse Mwase is also in the running for Best Produced Music Video for “Hosh” by Prince Kaybee featuring Sir Trill. Ofentse and Kyle are no strangers to the SAMA’s having both previously won the Best Music Video of the Year award. . “We are delighted with the calibre of nominees for SAMA27,” RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said. “This is a reflection of the music industry and the movers and shakers who made an impact in 2020-21, a very difficult period in which the industry had to deal with a crippling global pandemic. It was through music that life became bearable and for that we thank our artists who continue to redefine, reinvent and reimagine their business.” . The South African Music Awards is a premier music showcase hosted by RISA. This annual event honours the country’s finest music talent. Nominees also take the stage by storm with a series of epic, never-to-be-repeated performances, as the nation watches SA’s finest talent at work. . #AFDA #AFDAforEveryone #featurefriday #friday #awards #SAMA27 #music #SouthAfrica #afdaalumni #university #tertiary #study #RickyRick #ofentsemwase #kylelewis #bongeziwemabandla

🔥🎤 AFDA alumni, Shekhinah, drops her highly anticipated album “Trouble in Paradise”Shekhinah drops her highly anticipated album “Trouble in Paradise” 🎤🔥👑 . Internationally acclaimed artist and AFDA Live Performance alumna, Shekhinah, has dropped her long-awaited album, “Trouble in Paradise”, which follows her multi-award winning 2017 debut album “Rosegold”. In a statement from Sony Music, Shekhinah explained that “Trouble In Paradise” explores a journey of soul-searching in the face of love. . The 12 track album which has features from artists such as Bey T, Luke Goliath and Una Rams, include her popular song “Fixate” which is an upbeat number about self-love. Other tracks people might grow to love are “Tides” and “Pick Up“. The album has been described as a well-written tale of the rise and fall you experience when loving someone, being heartbroken and then learning that you should have always loved yourself first. . Shekhinah established herself as an artist on a national scale by performing at a variety of corporate, government and public events since her stint on IDOLS. In 2016 she had two #1 hit singles under her belt – “Back to the Beach” and “Let You Know”. She also featured on the Black Coffee single, “Your Eyes”, and the Jesse Clegg single “Breathing." . In 2016 her hit song “Back to the Beach” was nominated for a Metro Music Award (MMA) and a South Africa Music Award (SAMA) but in October she won the MTV Africa Music Award (MAMA), while completing her degree in Live Performance at AFDA. . In 2017 Shekhinah released her debut Album “Rosegold”, leading with the single “Suited”. 2018 proved to be a year of growth for Shekhinah with her being nominated for 6 SAMA’s and winning 3 (Album of the Year, Best female artist, Best Newcomer). With the success of her singles “Suited” (certified diamond), “Please Mr” (certified gold) and “Different” (certified gold), Shekhinah has taken her performance all over Africa and has collaborated with many international companies and artists. . #artist #music #awardwinning #musician #afdaalumni #humansofAFDA #university #liveperformance #varsity #tertairy #studygoals #sonymusic #featurefriday #troubleinparadise

🔥🏆 Imagine being able to say - WE WON THE OSCAR 🏆🔥 Every person in the film industry dreams of one day being able to shout out loud – WE WON THE OSCAR!!! – In the early hours this morning, AFDA alumnus Kyle Stroebel said just that, after the South African documentary “My Octopus Teacher” on which Kyle is credited as the colourist, walked away with the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film. It also comes as no surprise that he added the words, “Easily the best month of my life. I love everyone!!!” considering that “My Octopus Teacher” also bagged the Best Documentary Feature Film award at the BAFTA’s a week ago. . Kyle is one of the top colourists in South Africa and is in such a position due to his apparent talent and discernible aptitude. Kyle completed his BA at AFDA in 2007 before going on to do his honours. While completing his honours, Kyle worked as an intern at Condor where he wrote his thesis and assisted the head colourist at the time; working at all hours (including 4 am) to fetch negatives, film and tape stock, and do whatever needed to be done. . Kyle is currently employed at Refinery, a premium production company based in Cape Town. Future projects for Kyle include South Africa’s third Netflix original series, a series for Canal Plus in France and a movie shot by Zenn van Zyl. Such exciting future projects, and felicitous nominations, are truly indicative of Kyle's talent and skill set. A huge congratulations to AFDA alumnus Kyle Stroebel, and his team, for winning these coveted and esteemed awards. #AFDA #unviersity #filmmaking #film #theacademy #oscars #HumansofAFDA #AFDAforEveryone #AFDAAlumni

🔥🏆Simon “Mabhunu” Sabela, Award statue unveiled at AFDA Durban 🏆🔥 . On the 16th April, the Simon Sabela Awards Statue was officially unveiled by members of the KZN Film Commission, AFDA Durban, members of KZN Tourism and the Mayor’s office in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on the AFDA Durban campus. . The Simon “Mabhunu” Sabela Film and Television Awards recognise outstanding achievement and excellence within the South African film and television industry, with a special focus on KwaZulu-Natal. Among those honoured are actors, producers, directors and various film and television technicians. The awards are an initiative of the Department of Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs and are implemented by the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission. Mr Simon “Mabhunu” Sabela, in whose honour the film and television awards are named, was a legend in both big screen and television. Not only was he South Africa’s first black film director, he also had a long and successful career which saw him feature in over 34 movies, both nationally and internationally. . AFDA student films have an extraordinary record at the Simon Sabela Awards, having won the Best Student Film award for the last seven years in a row. Furthermore AFDA students and films have received countless nominations and awards in the professional film and television categories. In 2020 Megan Van Der Merwe took the Best Short Screenplay Award for the honours film Thulile against films written by seasoned professionals and in 2019 Sibongiseni Shezi won the Best Actress in a Feature Film award for her stand out performance in the AFDA Durban 2018 experimental short film “Run”. . #AFDA #AFDAforEveryone #featurefriday #afdaalumni #afdaforEveryone #durban #southafrica #filmschool #simonsabela #awards #studentfilm

🇿🇦🔥 AFDA animation film Hadeda continues its successful migration 🔥🇿🇦 . The AFDA Johannesburg 2019 3rd year animation film, Hadeda, written and directed by Nuha Suliman has been selected to screen at the Kwetu International Animation Film Festival in Tanzania. Hadeda was also recently selected as a finalist at the Lagos International Festival of Animation (LIFANIMA) in Nigeria. . The Kwetu International Animation Film Festival (KIAFF) is newly born Festival in Tanzania which is set to kick-off in APRIL 2ND -3RD, 2021, KIAFF will be providing a large-scale setting for presenting the beautiful works of world animated films with special focus on East African Animation films. KIAFF will be a 2 days festival that will showcase quality animation films from around the world. The Festival will be set in Dar es Salaam, a commercial city of Tanzania. . The Kwetu International Animation Film Festival will revive the history of Animation Cinema in East Africa. This festival is created for the public to socialize and also developed into a place of intercultural exchange and a platform for the critical animated cinematic exploration of social and development issues. . KIAFF will bring the big stars of international cinema to Dar es Salaam and it will discover and develop new talents to Africa and the global. KIAFF will accompany animation filmmakers on their path into the spotlight and support their careers, visions, projects, dreams and works. . #AFDA #afdaalumni #film #animation #international #festival #wednesday

🎥🔥 AFDA alumnus and colourist Kyle Stroebel on Oscar nomination for My Octopus Teacher 🔥🎥 . Kyle Stroebel is an AFDA alumnus and accomplished South African colourist. His recent work on the picturesque documentary My Octopus Teacher received national and international praise soon after it was released on Netflix in September of 2020. On the 9th of March 2021, it was announced that My Octopus Teacher had been nominated for a BAFTA award in the Documentary Feature category. Soon after this announcement, on the 15th of March, Oscar nominations were announced where My Octopus Teacher was nominated in the Documentary Feature category. . When interviewed about these nominations, Kyle spoke with enthusiasm about his craft as a colourist and about the impact that My Octopus Teacher had on him. Having immersed himself in this documentary, Kyle now swims in the ocean almost every day. He spoke fondly about working with Craig Foster, the narrator and filmmaker, and expressed how grateful he was to have had worked with such amazing crew members. Their intentions behind the creation of this documentary were embedded in authenticity and were all about capturing the story that was unfolding in front of them; something that Kyle emphasised was a pleasure to be a part of. He continued to praise the crew and the team behind him, revealing that it couldn’t have been done without them. . When news broke about the Oscar nomination Kyle exclaimed, “it was a mixture of ugly crying and ecstatic laughter, and then I started doing push-ups to try and get rid of the adrenaline.” He went on to explain that no one knew the impact that My Octopus Teacher would necessarily have, or that people would relate to it as much as they did, but that it wasn’t a surprise either. The documentary provided a heartwarming and genuine narrative when it was most needed during uncertain times. . #AFDA #AFDAforEveryone #featurefriday #friday #film #directing #writing #afdaalumni #southafrica

🔥🏆AFDA BRAG – The SAFTA podium is home to our alumni cinematographers 🏆🔥 . Since the start of the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA’s) 15 years ago, AFDA alumni cinematographers have dominated the awards winning over 30 Golden Horn awards for cinematography in all the different cinematography categories in film and television. These include 7 Golden Horns for Best Cinematography for a Feature Film, with alumnus Willie Nel picking up 3 of these for his work on Die Verhaal van Racheltjie de Beer (2020), Meerkat Maantuig (2019) and Sleepers Wake (2014). . We thought it apt to blow our own trumpet and celebrate the award-winning careers of a few of our SAFTA Golden Horn cinematography award winners. . NATALIE HAARHOFF: Natalie Haarhoff is a director & cinematographer based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She graduated from AFDA Johannesburg with a B.A (Hons) degree in Motion Picture Medium. Whilst she was a student, she won an Avanti Craft Award for Cinematography on a short film. She also won an M-Net Best Student in Film and Best Cinematography, at the AFDA Awards in 2000. From there, she went into the professional industry as a camera loader and focus puller on features, commercials and television series. . Natalie has directed on no less than eight dramas, she has been the cinematographer on at least 7 television drama series, 4 feature films, and more than 20 long-form documentaries. Across the categories, many of these productions garnered local and international awards. These awards include, a SAFTA for Best Cinematographer on a Drama Series, a BAFTA for Best Feature Documentary and a Silver Award at the SASC Visual Spectrum Awards for Cinematography, to name a few. Her strength lies in laying the foundation for outstanding performance and blending this with her years spent being a cinematographer. . [CONTINUES IN COMMENT SECTION] . #AFDA #afdaforEveryone #AFDAAlumni #humansofAFDA #AFDAbrag #cinematography #film #filmmaking #television #televisionindustry #SAFTA #GoldenHorn

🔥✈️ AFDA alumnus Ryan Kruger - breaking the local movie mould ... with debut feature film Fried Barry 🔥✈️ AFDA Cape Town honours alumnus Ryan Kruger’s obsession with film started at the age of 14 when he was given a camcorder and feverishly started filming his friends and family in a series of short 'movies'. Exploring themes of criminality, wacky relationships and action-driven plots, he slowly began to nurture his narrative style and soon found his passion in the art of storytelling. After graduating from high school in 2001, Ryan jumped at the opportunity to obtain his acting diploma from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London where, to fill some free time, he took on a personal project: a gritty reality-type show called GTV! For three years Ryan delved into the underbelly of the live music scene, filming with some of the world’s biggest rock bands like Juliet Lewis and the Licks, Misfists, Slipknot and Black Flag, all of which allowed him to get a glimpse into the lives of a rock stars. At the same time, Ryan also started out in front of the camera as an actor, landing roles in British TV series such as Shameless, feature films like Millions, directed by Danny Boyle, and the more recent Warrior series from HBO. In 2008, and at the age of 22, Ryan left the UK and headed for South Africa, enrolling at Cape Town’s AFDA Film School where he received a bursary to complete his Honours in directing and writing. Not being one to take things easy, he quickly made connections while studying and approached local bands with the offer to direct their music videos. Today, he is known as one of the top music video director in the country, having conceptualised and directed over 90 music videos for many of SA's most prolific artists and has picked up accolades and awards along the way, both locally and internationally, including a South African Music Award (SAMA) for his work with rock band Prime Circle and the top three spots in MTV Africa’s 2013 Music Video Awards. [CONTINUES IN COMMENT SECTION]

🏆📺 AFDA BRAG - OUR MULTI-TALENTED TELEVISION STARS 📺🏆 . AFDA alumni have made a huge impact on the Television Industry both locally and abroad, working in all forms of television content, from drama series to soapies, game shows, magazine shows, tele- films and tele novelas on SABC, Mzanzi Magic, Mnet, DSTV, Showmax and Netflix. Today we celebrate four of our alumni who started their careers in television as actors and then migrated behind the camera, producing, writing and directing films and television series. . MANDLA NDIMANDE: AFDA Johannesburg alumnus, Mandla N. is an actor, musician, producer and entrepreneur best known for his starring role as Themba Khumalo in the SABC1 sitcom City Ses’la and its spinoff series Ses’Top La. . Along with fellow AFDA graduate Tumi Masemola, he formed the production company Black Brain Pictures which has made several series he has starred in. Black Brain Pictures has accumulated a number of awards, including 26 SAFTA Golden Horns, a SAMA and two Promax awards. . In 2017, the show Mandla created, Lockdown became one of the most popular series shown on Mzanzi Magic. Mandla N’s debut feature film, Loving Thokoza, premiered worldwide on the 20th of May 2020 on Showmax. The film was shot in only 9 days just before the Covid – 19 lockdown. . #afda #afdaforeveryone #afdaalumni #humansofafda #television #entertainment #mzansimagic #dstv #sabc #netflix #producer #director #creator #showmax #southafrica #johannesburg #durban #capetown #portelizabeth #televisionschool #filmschool

🔥🎥AFDA alumni shoot, edit and act in new Showmax Original series DAM 🎥🔥 . The new Showmax Original series DAM, shot, edited and starring AFDA alumni is a small-town psychological thriller deservedly receiving rave reviews. . Fortress of Solitude similarly calls DAM “South Africa’s answer to Sharp Objects and The Outsider.” Reviewer Sergio Pereira praises DAM’s “outstanding production quality… It rivals any international production, and actually looks better than most of the Netflix shows that dominate the Top 10 list,” adding, “More importantly, the cast delivers an equally exceptional performance to rival the production quality and script. They suck you into this small town’s drama, as you fall in love with some, pity others, and detest only a few… You’d be a fool to sleep on this eight-part mini-series. It’s simply a must-watch show that promises to fester in your mind long after the credits roll.” . “It is a wonderful and unique blend of our different South African cultures, using myths and legends of this land to create a psychological thriller,” says AFDA alumna and SAFTA winning actor Antoinette Louw, who plays the role of Dora in DAM. . Co-star, Pallance Dladla, gives high praise to the director of DAM Alex Yazbek (former AFDA lecturer) and to cinematographer and AFDA alumnus Tom Marais. “I love how Alex has directed this, and what Tom Marais, a three-time SAFTA winner has done with the language of the camera. Anyone who gets a chance to watch this outside the country will be amazed, and anyone in the country will be inspired – it’s about raising the bar. We should be proud of how far we have come in our industry.” . DAM, filmed on location in the Bedford and Adelaide towns of the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality of the Amathole District in the Eastern Cape, is perfectly edited by AFDA alumnae Miriam Arndt and Melissa Parry. . DAM is a Showmax Original made in partnership with the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, the Amathole District Municipality and Picture Tree. . #AFDAforEveryone #AFDA #HumansofAFDA #AFDAAlumni #showmax #filmdirecting #directing #cinematography #acting #editing #production #university #SAFTA #southafrica

AFDA BRAG - OUR PLATINUM STARS . AFDA alumni are making their voices heard and becoming icons on the South African and international music scene, picking up a host of prestigious and recognised awards around the world, enjoying seeing their songs at #1 on the charts and witnessing their albums going gold and platinum. . SHEKHINAH DONNEL: Shekhinah is an AFDA Johannesburg alumna, who graduated with a B.A in Live Performance is a pop star and firm favourite on radio stations throughout Africa. In 2016, while still at AFDA, she had two #1 hit singles under her belt – Back to the Beach and Let You Know. In the same year she also featured on the Black Coffee single, Your Eyes, and the Jesse Clegg single Breathing. . Her hit song Back to the Beach was nominated for a Metro Music Award (MMA) and a South Africa Music Award (SAMA). In October (2016) she won the MTV Africa Music Award (MAMA). In 2017 Shekhinah released her debut album Rosegold, leading with the single Suited. 2018 was a wonderful year of growth for Shekhinah with her being nominated for six SAMA’s and winning three (Album of the Year, Best female artist, Best Newcomer). Rosegold is certified platinum. Rosegold became the highest South African streamed album and was nominated for South African Female Artist of the Year in the 2018 AFRIMMA’s (African Muzik Magazine Awards). . Shekhinah has also joined international artists on the South African leg of their tours, namely John Legend, Tony Braxton and Ed Sheeran. . In 2020 Shekhinah released Fixate, her lead single from her new album Trouble in Paradise, followed by the single Tides. The album is due for release in the first half of this year. . RIKHADO MAKHADO (Riky Rick): AFDA Johannesburg alumnus, Rikhado Makhado, popularly known as Riky Rick, is producer, writer, actor, and rap star. In 2018 he was selected to be one of the four expert coaches on The Voice South Africa season 3. In 2014, his single, Boss Zonke, became one of the biggest hits of the year. Soon after that, he released his platinum-selling debut album, Family Values, which won an MTV Award among many other accolades. [CONTINUES IN COMMENT SECTION]