– transforming African stories into entertaining
, accessible formats.
Tell us what drives you? What is your true passion in life?
Telling African stories. This is driven by a desire to change the world’s view of the continent by putting out positive media about our history and heroes.
How did you find your passion and how old were you?
I was 30 years old and joined a team to create Supa Strikas, an African soccer story, that was ultimately distributed internationally.
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What about your passion appeals to you the most?
I think we all go through an identity crisis at some stage, and need positive role models to identify with. Living in Africa, most of the role models that have been supplied are from colonial sources as they determined our history and how it is interpreted. To add variety to this story and slowly add indigenous elements that can change children’s lives is incredibly exciting.
What drove you to make money from your passions?
Supa Strikas was commercially successful and showed that local media for children has a place on the continent. That was a stimulus to take more content to the youth while creating a sustainable business.
When was the first time you were paid for your passion?
We approached the Nelson Mandela Foundation to do his story in a comic book. They loved the idea and together we approached corporate sponsors to cover production costs and printing. Our team got paid to do this story over the two years that it took.
What kept you going when you thought about giving up?
Having worked in various other industries before getting into media, I was aware that there are always problems you are going to hit. You can move onto the next job, but those problems will find you. It’s better in the long run to overcome those problems if it is for something that is your passion.
What motivates you every day to be even more successful?
We are operating in such a niche environment, ie creating media for African youth. It’s a place that is going to explode and we are sitting as first-comers which gives us certain advantages. One of our products, Jabu’s Jungle, is being broadcast across 40 countries and we are aiming at an audience pool of 100 million children. From there, we have a leverage which has huge value.
What do you have to say to all of the people who doubted you?
I’ve never listened to them.
What advice do you give to aspiring creatives who look up to you?
Start. Do it. Stop talking about it, and do it. Until you have something to sell you are nowhere, so create or be still. Technology has dropped the barriers to entry, anyone can create content