NFVF COUNCIL

CHAIRPERSON
Ms Tholoana Rose Ncheke-Mahlaela

Tholoana Rose Ncheke is currently serving as the Head Of Legal at Primedia Broadcasting.

Ncheke was formerly an Executive for Policy and Regulation at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) . Prior to that she worked as a legal officer for the Film and Publication Board (FPB), and before that served as an attorney at Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs. Her areas of expertise include policy regulatory and reviewing, law, and telecommunications.

Ncheke’s governance and leadership experience includes being part of the Reference Expert Group on Broadcasting Policy Review for the Department of Communications (2018-2019) and completing the Convenor Broadcasting and Digital Media Policy-Regulatory Trends Course at the University of Witwatersrand (WITS) in 2019.

Ncheke holds a degree in Bachelor of Law from the University of Pretoria (2007), Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of Pretoria (2009), a certificate in Telecommunications, Policy, Regulation, and Management in SADC and East Africa from Wits Enterprise (2016), and a Certificate in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Witwatersrand (2018).

DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
Dr Jeremaih Mofokeng wa Makhetha

Dr. Jerry Mofokeng-Makhetha is a legend of theatre and film.  He is a graduate of Wits University Drama School and Columbia University MFA Theatre.  The University of the Free State awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Letters.  Amongst his awards he is a recipient of 3 Lifetime Achievement Awards – Golden Horn (South Africa), The African Film Festival (Texas) and Moshoeshoe Film Festival (Lesotho). Amongst his volume of credits of Acting some of the most memorable include Tsotsi, When we were black, Scandal, This is not a burial this is a resurrection.

Dr Mofokeng-Makhetha previously held the position of as Chief Director, Provincial Department of Sport and Culture in Mpumalanga Province.  In theatre he was deputy artistic director at The Civic theatre, Artistic Director at The State Theatre and at the Performing Arts of the Free State.

Dr. Mofokeng wa Makhetha has worked closely with the National Film and Video Foundation as chair for the funding panels, and an EXCO, HR & E committee council member from 2017 until 2020. The Minister appointed him for a second term on Council as Deputy Chair. He has also served as a board member of the Free State Arts Festival, an Artist Director reporting to the board, and took part in the IODSA Training in Board Competencies.

Dr. Jerry’s presence on Council includes council management, conflict resolution, stakeholder engagement, and chairing committees.

As of 2024 he is venturing into film and TV drama Directing and Producing.  He’s also serving as a member of the jury for film festivals.

COUNCIL MEMBER
Ms Julie Hall

Julie Hall is currently the Discipline Chair of Screenwriting for AFDA, the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance. She has been working in the television and film industry for over a decade.

Hall has worked closely with the NFVF for many years as a mentor, trainer, fiction panel evaluator, and script editor. This includes being a mentor and script editor on a slate of five Female Film Maker Short Films celebrating 20 Years of Democracy developed with the NFVF and Born Free Media. She has also spent many years training emerging writers in provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, North West, as well as in Gauteng.

Hall holds a Scriptwriter’s Training and Development Certificate from SEDIBA (2005).

COUNCIL MEMBER
Nomfundo Matlala

Nomfundo Matlala is the Chief Executive Officer o Marche Media Group.

Matlala’s areas of expertise include risk management, brand and media strategy, mentorship and strategic decision-making ,. During her earlier years in brand development at Unilever and Woolworths, she was recognised for her excellence in digital executions and growing market share.

Matlala currently holds a Bachelor of Arts in Motion Picture Medium, a qualification in Art Direction and Production, and a Diploma in Culinary Art.

COUNCIL MEMBER
Maijang Samuel Mpherwane

Maijang Samuel Mpherwane, currently serving as Head of Media and Audio-Visual, at the Industrial Development Corporation has an accumulated amount of experience in the film industry.

From 2016 to 2017, Mpherwane served as the General Manager for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) managing SABC channels, 1, 2, 3, and Encore, before being appointed to his current position.

Mpherwane’s areas of expertise include business development, strategic planning, and implementation, channel management, program performance management, stakeholder management, team building, budgeting, research, writing, and reviews.

Mpherwane holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Cape Town (UCT) (2018), a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice from UCT (2015), and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dramatic Arts from the University of Witwatersrand (2003). Mpherwane is also a trustee of the Wind Farm Community Development Trust

COUNCIL MEMBER
Sibongiseni Everseen Irvin Mkhungo

Sibongiseni Everseen Irvin Mkhungo is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Los Pepes Ibizo.

Before opening his own company, Mkhungo was part of the Management Trainee “Class of” Programme from 1995 until 1997 at Rand Merchant Bank (RMB).
Mkhungo’s areas of expertise include process improvement, system design and implementation, trends identification, performance management, strategic planning and client relationship management.

Mkhungo’s leadership roles include being a member of the Institute of Directors Southern Africa (IoDSA), a member of the Progressive Business Forum, and the Independent Investment Committee of the Utho Capital Fund.

Mkhungo holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from De Montfort in the United Kingdom (1998), and Honours in Computing from Napier University, Edinburgh, in the UK (1992).

COUNCIL MEMBER
Louis Itumeleng Seeco

Louis Itumeleng Seeco is the Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Elements since 1995. Seeco’s competencies include marketing communication, brand strategy, brand management, and reputational management.

From 1995 to date, Seeco has built his marketing portfolio by working with the biggest brands in the industry giving strategic direction, managing big teams with diverse cultural backgrounds, creating strategic alliances with agencies across the globe such as Kwanza Media, and Brand pilgrimage (Research and Consumer Insights), and creating marketing concepts for shopping centres across the country.

Seeco holds a Diploma in Marketing Management from the Institute of Marketing Management (2007), and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Liverpool (2017).

COUNCIL MEMBER
Lala Tuku

Lala Tuku is currently the Managing Director of Clive Morris Productions and Chairperson for Africa Rising International Film Festival (ARIFF). She has been involved in the arts for past two decades with extensive experience in the South African film and television industry.

Tuku currently executive produces two daily shows on air, ne on SABC (The Estate) and the other on BET (Isono) a Pan-African and International platform.
Tuku was also a supervising producer for Multi-Choice’s three youth dramas.

Tuku has worked previously for the NFVF as Stakeholder Relations Manager. In 2019 Tuku started a mentorship programme A break with Lala that assists young black females in the film industry. To date eight young ladies have been placed in various roles in the industry.

Tuku is currently furthering her studies at the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute where she is studying Afrikan Feminist and Gender Studies and isa proud member of Industry organisations: Sisters Working in Film & TV (SWIFT) and the Independent Producers Organisation (IPO).

Tuku holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Live Performance from the South African School of Film and Live Performance (AFDA) (2000-2002) and a BA in Communication Science from the University of South Africa (2007-2012).

COUNCIL MEMBER
Adv Senzo Ncube

Advocate Senzo Ncube has been practicing as an advocate of the High Court since 2015 and has vast experience in civil litigation specializing in commercial law and dispute resolution.

Prior to joining the Johannesburg Bar, Advocate Ncube served as a business unit executive at Sasol Oil (Pty) Ltd and Sasol Group Services (2009 – 2014) overseeing a number of portfolios including corporate governance, contract management, risk management, regulatory compliance and legal assurance amongst others. Advocate Ncube was initially admitted as an attorney of the High Court in 2002 after which he specialized in intellectual property law for ten years (1998 – 2008) at Sasol Limited. He is also a qualified chemist and spent the formative years of his career at Sasol Technology (R&D) as a research scientist (1995 -1998).

Advocate Ncube holds a Master of Business Leadership (MBL) degree from the School of Business Leadership (UNISA) (2012); a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA) (2002); a Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Chemistry) degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (1995). He is also a fellow of the African Leadership Institute (AfLI) (as a graduate of the Desmond Tutu Leadership Programme in 2008).

COUNCIL MEMBER
Unathi Mkiva

Unathi Mkiva is a Chartered Accountant and Registered Auditor by profession. Unathi holds a Master of Business Administration and the Post Graduate Diploma in General Management from the Gordon Institute of Business, a Bachelor of Commerce Honors/CTA, a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting Science, a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, and a Management Development Programme on BBB-EEE.

Unathi has served on the following board, council, commission, or committees; Financial and Fiscal Commission of South Africa, Independent Regulatory Board of Auditors (IRBA), DIAMOND PROPERTY GALORE Investment Group (Pty) Limited, My Father House CFC Trust, QUNNOVATE (Pty) Limited. Currently, Unathi serves on the following councils/board VINTAGE Capital (Pty) Limited, Gauteng College of Nursing (GCON), and National Film and Video Foundation.

Unathi commenced his career in 2007 at BDO South Africa where he trained as Chartered Accountant. In 2013 he joined Nampak Limited as a Group Accountant and also held a Treasury Advisor role before joining REDIS Construction in 2015 as a Financial Manager. In 2016, Unathi opted to take an Entrepreneurial journey and started an Accounting and Corporate Finance Advisory Firm which he currently leads as a Partner.

Unathi has more than 17 years’ experience in Business management; bookkeeping; financial reporting; International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), GRAP.  Public Finance Management Act, Municipal Finance Management Act, Companies Act, Income Tax Act, King IV Reporting, Sarbanes Oxley Act, BBB-EE, Pension Fund Act, Internal control assessment; Reporting; Risk management, Audit Assurance; Forensic Investigations, transformation, and corporate finance.

Unathi has a deep understanding of the construction (Building, Civil, Road & Earthworks), Logistics, Advertising and Public Relations, Manufacturing, Management & Consulting, Retail, Pharmaceutical, Property & Real Estate, Trusts, Mining, Financial Services (Pension Funds, Medical Aid & Short-term Insuranc2e, Micro Lending) sectors and the Public Sector.

Unathi is a 2019 SAICA top 35 under 35 finalists. Unathi enjoys spending time writing opinion articles to share knowledge about business. Unathi invests time in training and imparting skills to young people through internships and business mentorship. He is an executive Founder of the South African

Social Media Awards NPC which is an NPO that strives to credit South African content creators for the creative work done on social media. The NPO also invests in educational programs to teach social media users about pros and cons; the topics focus on monetizing social media, social media bulling, mental health related to social media pressure, etc.

Unathi is a firm believer of integrity, transparency, and fairness. He thrives in high performing environment with positive and futuristic minded people. Unathi enjoys being part of change. Unathi motto is “Hard work is a pathway to success and success is the outcome of consistent hard work”.

COUNCIL MEMBER
Melanny Fuma

Melany is a seasoned freelance filmmaker with over twelve years of experience in the dynamic service sector of the film industry in South Africa. Her expertise spans across both local and international productions. For the past decade, Melany has contributed significantly as a non-executive director for the prestigious multinational film equipment rentals company, Panavision, and its affiliate Panalux South Africa. Her strategic insights and industry acumen have been instrumental in shaping the company’s direction and continued success.

With a passion for nurturing talent and fostering growth within the industry, Melany has made significant contributions to education. She held the esteemed position of head of the film diploma department at CityVarsity, where she was also a senior lecturer. Transitioning into the freelance space, Melany now excels as a learning content designer, leveraging her expertise to develop impactful educational materials. She conducts script supervising workshops in collaboration with various industry partners, empowering aspiring filmmakers with invaluable insights and practical skills. Additionally, she serves as a moderator on diverse film and social justice-related panels, enriching discussions with her expertise and perspective.

Melany’s journey with the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) commenced in 2007 when she received funding for her undergraduate studies, marking the beginning of her longstanding association with the organisation. She later played a pivotal role on their inaugural training and education panel in 2012, championing the cause of empowering previously disadvantaged individuals through education in the film sector. This experience ignited her passion for transformation and social justice, which continues to drive her work today. In recognition of her expertise and contribution to the industry, Melany has also served as a jury member for the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) over the years, lending her discerning eye and industry knowledge to celebrate excellence in filmmaking.

Melany is a lifelong learner committed to personal and professional growth. She holds a BA degree in Filmmaking from AFDA and has pursued specialised training in cinematography and script supervision from the prestigious Met Film School in Berlin and Los Angeles, respectively. Currently, she is in the final year of her master’s studies in Theories of Justice and Inequality at the esteemed University of Cape Town, further expanding her intellectual horizons and deepening her understanding of social issues.

COUNCIL MEMBER
Chuma Fani

Chuma Fani currently works as a consultant for various companies, such as the Department of Human Settlements where she is an advisory member of the Western Cape Rental Housing Tribunal.

Chuma serves on various governing boards such as Western Cape Gambling Board where she regulates the industry. Beyond her regulatory roles, Chuma’s passion for arts and culture shines through her involvement in prestigious institutions as a leader who serves as the Deputy Chairperson of the William Humphreys Art Gallery, a Council Member of Ditsong Museums of South Africa and a Non-Executive Director of Msunduzi Museum.  She previously served as the Chairperson of the Western Cape Cultural Commission. She has served on various boards for nearly a decade now.

Through her multifaceted role, she exemplifies a well-rounded leader who not only prioritizes regulation of gambling but also recognizes the importance of nurturing and promoting the arts. Her dedication to both sectors demonstrates her ability to balance diverse interests and contribute to the overall development of the public sector.

She holds a Honours degree in Public Administration from the University of Western Cape. She is a member of the Institute of Directors South Africa. She has extensive experience in executive leadership, policy and public management, corporate governance and organisational transformation.