THE ENVIRONMENT AND BELONGING STORY LAB
When last did a film from Africa make you feel like you belong?
Authentic storytelling is a vital tool for restoring pride to African peoples' relationship with nature, and closer to home, the sense of identity and belonging held deeply within. Recognising this, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invited filmmakers to submit proposals for a short documentary film that speaks to people and their connection to the environment and wildlife.
The call sought to award funding to six stand-alone short documentary concepts, and the selection of these storytellers culminated in an exciting partnership with NEWF and our Producers’ Lab.
NEWF Producers’ Labs are 6-12 month fellowships that are a blend of theoretical and technical workshops that aim to provide documentary producers with the essential skills to develop and produce compelling nature films. From story development to post production and distribution, the lab is crafted to assist in elevating the way these storytellers authentically bring their concepts to life in order to engage audiences with meaningful stories that reach beyond a mere topic, bridging the narrative divide between nature and her people.
The NFVF Environment and Belonging Cohort,📍eKhaya Storytelling Centre
Photo by Pragna Parsotam-Kok / NEWF
The collaboration kicked off at the #NEWF2024 Fellows Summit and Congress where the filmmakers were immersed in the community and gained access to industry thought partners, broadcasters and funders. They also had the opportunity to connect with other filmmakers in the genre, sparking and building collaborations leading up to a week-long first workshop based at eKhaya Storytelling Centre in Sodwana Bay just last week.
The retreat at eKhaya offered the tranquillity and focus to delve into the first workshop focused on the pre-production tools needed to craft their stories ethically, authentically and primed for an impactful reception with audiences and the film market at large.
Their story development started with discussing and defining their ‘Why’ and story angles, and included one-on-one sessions with Wambui (Story Lab Lead, NEWF), and went on to unpack crew planning, technical gear checks, permits, ethical codes and more.
And what are filmmakers without a penchant for the cinema in some shape or form? The cohort got their immersive fix through a film case study, by watching and unpacking other NEWF Fellow Films, demonstrating key storytelling techniques and choices that contribute to narratives that local audiences in particular can relate to, and that encourage global audiences to reflect and delve deeper into their own perceptions and knowledge on the connection various groups of peoplehave to nature.
At the end of this exciting partnership, our NEWF Community will gain six fellows who are nurturing impactful narratives that resonate with audiences, and remind us all that we belong and that Africa has always been ours.
MEET THE FELLOWS
Rae Human
Rae started her career in filmmaking having worked in the ranks of production in both the independent film and international studio space since 2012. Her screenwriting achievements include being invited to pitch at content markets such as Durban International Film Festival, International Film Festival Rotterdam, and Gotham Film Week. Recently, her editing accolades saw her working in post-production episodes of ‘Spinners’ – a Showmax and Studio Canal+ co-production.
Since being involved in the field of impact producing, she has relished the opportunity to be the schools campaign facilitator on the ‘Murder in Paris’ documentary. Human founded the Roots Film Festival in 2023 through the support of the Encounters Film Festival and National Film and Video Foundation, which saw a revitalisation of community bioscope culture in both urban and rural spaces. With the success of the Festival’s maiden run, she hopes to build on the ethos of the event in the years to come.
📽️ Kujichagulia A Place Called Paradise
The nature of belonging is explored in a story about a family who moved from the city to life living on a rural residential farm in Suurbraak, Western Cape. Shirley, a Mother with a history working for the Surplus People’s Project, in her last year of work at Westerford High School in the city. She’s keen to retire by the end of the year, looking toward fulfilling her dream of living in iParadisiyethu- the familyfarm in Rietkuil, part of the larger !Xairu/Suurbraak community. Rudi, a Son who works the farm full time, after years of odd city jobs leaving to honour a spirit yearning for country life. They are our main characters who take us through their beliefs and practice as farmers. Tensions in the area surrounding the issue of water explores their relationship with neighbours.
The close relationship Rudi has to the Zimbabweans who work for neighbouring farms offers nuanced takes on belonging and the labour dynamics in rural areas. We get to know the community of Suurbrak through their family and friend networks. Vibrant personalities who represent the character of !Xairu. The tragic reality of environmental violence through the landfill dumpsite and use of the lei water system is seen. Further representing coping mechanisms communities turn to when the disconnect to the land they belong to is further entrenched. Still the emphasis is placed on exciting creative opportunities created by the community. Their initiatives flow into the beauty of the environment, legacies of the Tradouw pass and the family’s need to gather water there. The continuing privatisation of natural mountains and rivers speak to the scarcity of the water and greed of minority classes.
Ultimately, the cost of belonging at the expense of basic human rights to a healthy and sustainable environment will continue to remain in focus. A solution based look at the will to find balance and determine ourselves through solidarity to people and natural process is encompassed in an intimate portrait of a family and community. The journey to understand Paradise is put on display when two people explore their love amidst a turbulent time still recovering from the global pandemic. After one of them loses their root; their home, they make a choice to leave the city to pursue their romance and live on a rural farm. They soon realise that growing their bond in the beautiful, challenging environment requires an exploration of the essence of love as it radiates in nature, community, innermost traumas, grief and an ultimate purpose they once ran from.
Magofe Mahlaela
Magofe is an environmental activist and filmmaker who holds an NQ5 in film and Television Production. Her career is centred around Producer and Director roles, with skills focused on concept development and documentary and fiction scriptwriting. Passionate about telling stories that inspire change, her journey into filmmaking started in 2018 when she produced and directed her first film, ‘Re Bo Mang’, under the mentorship of the late Takalani Mulaudzi and Tshililo waha Muzila - it showed at Encounters festival. She produced her second film ‘Beyond the Visible' in 2023 under the Mentorship of Joy Nkgapele and won Best produced film at the New Crop Film Showcase. Magofe was an Intern producer on a production by Bolobathaba, Mentored by Molatelo Bossman. The film ‘Street Snappers’ will be airing on Etv in June 2024.
📽️ Mohlakeng, The Wild River (Working Title)
A stranger reprimands Magofe, a newly initiated traditional healer from Tzaneen, Limpopo, for collecting water at a nearby river for a ritual, the stranger tells her to go to the mountain to collect water there. But Magofe is afraid of travelling into the mountains. Being a spiritual person, she realises that the waste dumped at the river has contaminated it spiritually. Magofe turns to her friend Matema Thosago, an environmentalist who makes art crafts out of waste materials, for answers to the illegal waste dumping problem.
After speaking with Matema, she becomes curious and asks a scientist about the ecological harm that waste dumped in wetlands causes. With all the information Magofe has discovered, unfortunately, she now realises that although the work has already started, it may take decades for waste dumping solutions to become effective. When all is said and done, Magofe seeks guidance from a traditional healer with decades of experience, but the solution to her issue is to return to the way things have always been done, by going to the mountain and collecting water there. Will Magofe overcome her phobia of mountains and travel to the right spot to collect water and pray?
Nondumiso Masache
Nondumiso is an emerging documentary filmmaker and SAFTA -nominated producer with over a decade of experience in television. She is also an impact producer and an alumna of Talents Durban class of 2017, Durban FilmMart Access 2023, and a DFA Board member. She holds the role of Programme Manager for docLOVE, a program of free monthly screenings and facilitated discussions. Currently, under her company Zenkosi Film, Nondumiso is in the process of developing a short environmental film and her first feature documentary. Additionally, she serves as a reader for the 2024 Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival, contributing her expertise to the selection process.
📽️ Umhlaba Wokhokho (Land of our ancestors)
Tucked away up the mountains of Utrecht in northern KwaZulu Natal, Mgundeni is not just a village; it's a community with a mighty spirit that runs through its 300 souls. Wrapped in nature's embrace, surrounded by lush biodiversity and life-giving wetlands, this land has a tale to tell—a story of taking back what was once snatched away in the shadows of colonial times. The plot thickens as Mgundeni grabs back their stolen land through the Restitution of Land Rights.
Led by iNkosi Zwelihle Mabaso, the community now faces a new challenge: keeping this precious land safe from harm, poverty's tight grip, and the shortage of opportunities. Will iNkosi Mabaso succeed in preserving the land's natural beauty while fending off the impact of human interference? "Umhlaba Wokhokho - Land of Our Ancestors" is a compelling narrative of history, justice, and an urgent need for environmental conservation, showcasing the enduring spirit of the people of Mgundeni.
Sibusiso Mavimbela
Sibusiso is a Director of Photography, Film Editor, and explorer based in Rustenburg. While acquiring his BA in Film & Television Studies at the University of Johannesburg, he focused on South African history and heritage. This led to the production of a short documentary film, 'A Roving Bantu Trek: Brixton‐Fietas Heritage Trail' 2017, as part of a final year university project exploring the importance of memory in South African communities beyond the colour (racial) line.
He’s received a Fast‐Forward Award from the University of Johannesburg for his second short documentary film 'Jozi Moves' 2017, interrogating the position of Pantsula Dance in the art space probing whether or not it is being celebrated or recognised as an art form in the mainstream compared to classical dance forms. He has worked as an Assistant Offline Editor on a television show 'My Unsung Hero Pilot' at Quizzical Pictures as an Independent Contractor. He has recently worked as DOP on a documentary, 'A Relentless Man With A Dream', a tribute to the North West and Sesobe born Farmer Mr. Ponki Makinita. In 2022 he was a DOP and editor on 'Senatla-Rantompi Mokoka' an initiative by the NFVF celebrating unsung heroes.
📽️ The Hive Queens (Working Title)
In June 1995, Sibusiso was born at the then Paul Kruger hospital in Rustenburg, a mining town in the North West province. He grew up in Tlhatlhaganyane, a village right on the foothills of the Pilanesberg National Park & Game Reserve. More than two decades later, Sibusiso has never set foot inside this game reserve despite it being literally a stone's throw away. The cost of access into the game reserve automatically excludes many people in Tlhatlaganyane. To him, the fence enclosing the game reserve has always symbolised a separation between him and wildlife, and has reinforced in Sibusiso a sense of not belonging, impacting his sense of identity and sense of place in the world.
While studying film and television, Sibusiso continued grappling with the question of who he was. His quest to self discovery and finding purpose comes from the most unlikely places - bees. While visiting his parents, Sibusiso observes the demise of honey bees. Looking as the honey bees tumble to the ground, he for the first time mulls over life and death as an unexpected surge of pity runs through him. They play such a vital role in providing for us, how do we repay that favour? Are we mindful of their contribution to our environment, to us? And if they don't belong on that tree, then, where is their place in the world? Where is home? We follow Sibusiso as he looks for ways for people and honey bees to coexist. Here, at the most unlikely of places, themes of identity, environment and belonging are portrayed.
Omelga Mthiyane
Omelga has directed and produced several documentary films for the SABC, ETV, BBC World and Aljazeera. Her first film, ‘Ikhaya’ Was premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and a few other international Film Festivals. She has also directed TV series including ‘Headwrap’, ‘Khumbulekhaya’ and ‘Yobe’. She co-directed ‘Baraka’ which was a reaction documentary against xenophobic attacks that happened in 2008 in South Africa. Baraka premiered in the Berlinale before it was broadcasted by BBC World.
Omelga’s documentary film ‘Lefu’ deals with one of the many devastating realities of Covid-19. It was nominated for three Saftas and won a best short documentary film at the Jozi Film Festival and Kukastream Online Film Festival (2021). She received her Bachelor in Video Technology from the Durban University of Technology and a Certificate in filmmaking from the Binger Institute.
📽️ Kasi’s Zero Waste
Soweto is greatly known as the township that led a lot of poignant political activism that brought about important reforms in South Africa. Now Duduzile Ntuli is leading another important activism around environmental issues, she is working on waste management. Duduzile has come with a new App ‘Smart Bean’ that will help track down and make sure all waste has been collected and end up where it should. The App is already adopted by McDonalds to make sure they can track each and every waste from their shops. This App will be used by ordinary people from the township for different benefits in making sure the waste is managed accordingly. This will also work for recycling companies to communicate effectively with their partners.
Simphiwe ‘Robin Thirdfloor’ Nyawose
Simphiwe holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and chose instead to pursue a career in music.He independently forged a successful path in the music industry as Robin Thirdfloor, gaining national and international recognition. His journey includes collaborations with prominent local and international musicians and partnerships with major corporate brands.
As a multi-hyphenate creative, it wasn’t long until he expanded his interests beyond music and into film. Currently working on his debut short film documentary his goal is to use film the same way he uses music, as a tool for storytelling to create discourse around topics that are not spoken about enough and change narratives of what the black South African experience is post-apartheid.
📽 Thread Carefully
All over South Africa, young, vibrant and highly entrepreneurial youth mostly from disadvantaged backgrounds have started thrift clothing businesses in their communities. Buying, upcycling and selling second-hand clothing has not only stimulated job creation for these young fashion mavericks, but has also contributed to the sustainable living agenda of our country, with a direct impact on waste reduction, ocean conservation and air pollution. A brain child of Simphiwe “Robin Thirdfloor” Nyawose and Kaizer Mokgobu, 'Thread Carefully' follows the journeys of a group of young thrift entrepreneurs each based in one of the three major fashion cities of South Africa. Nipho Hurd from Tinz Clothing in Durban, Xola,Tiny and Khanyisa from Colab 22 in Cape Town and Lethabo, co-founder of Gully Closet.
Visually, the story will be a fresh, trendy, urban, exploration into each city and the unique cultures they all have to offer. On a more meaningful level, each segment of this documentary will focus on educating its audience about the negative effects of fashion consumer culture in South Africa and how thrifting can be a more environmentally conscious alternative. However, Thread Carefully is more than just a fashion documentary, it is a journey into the lives of young South Africans who have created a living for themselves by realising that it pays to be kind to the earth, more especially, the immediate environments they occupy on a daily basis.
MEET our guest PARTICIPANT
Kaizer Mokgobu | Director: Thread Carefully
Kaizer has joined the NVFV Environment and Belonging Cohort to gain greater insight and better contribute to the development of ‘Thread Carefully’, the film Simphiwe ‘Robin Thirdfloor’ Nyawose is currently developing.
He developed a love for storytelling from an early age through bearing witness to the skillful way in which his grandmother told African folktales. He graduated in 2014 from The Durban University of Technology's TV academy with a B-Tech in Video Technology, specialising in Scriptwriting. His experience as a screenwriter, insert producer, development producer and director includes work for prominent South Africa production companies such as Okuhle Media and Trace Studios. In 2023 he took sabbatical to work on an NFVF funded surrealist teen drama titled 'Good Mourning', which is currently in the final stages of post-production. Sustainable Dreamz, a creative organisation he co-founded, uses media and film to promote a sustainable lifestyle agenda to black youth from townships and urban areas. As a writer and director he is focused on creating more post-apartheid youth focused films under his production company, Nextway Productions.
eKhaya: We are HOME
Our mission has always been to create strong communities for storytellers, conservationists, and scientists to help each other grow and take up space. At NEWF, we have watched this community grow from one group of fellows pitching their films in 2017, to more than 200 fellows from more than 25 African countries.
In the weeks leading up to the opening on Monday , 13th November, the NEWF teams were hard at work adding finishing touches to this incredible space and preparing to welcome fellows to share meals, stories and laughter. If only these walls could talk!
A moment to remember. NEWF Founders Pragna Parsotom-Kok and Noel Kok with legendary Storyteller Ma’m Gcina Mhlophe and underwater cinematographer and educator Elke Bertolli.
We arrived bundled through the doors - crumbs and creases from the long drive to Sodwana Bay still on our faces. Instead of checking in or being met with paperwork and instructions, friendly embraces from people we genuinely adore awaited us. Given the time of the year, we can only really compare it to the nostalgic feeling of coming home for a family celebration. Because that’s precisely what it was - coming home to celebrate.
A dream unfolds
In the past, many of our fellows dreamed of a space that could not only offer them comfort and a functional kitchen to stay fueled; but a space that had room for ideation, putting the hours into our crafts and laughter. We needed a space that could hold our depth, a space where our rich language and culture didn’t set us apart.
“Gathering for a few days reminded me of how we first see and accept the person and everything else afterwards. It's a space where people's individuality and differences in language and culture are celebrated instead of used to pull people apart. Everyone was encouraged to mingle and learn a little about where others are from and what they are used to.” - Yolanda Mogatusi
eKhaya is exactly that. A locally-led and managed centre that welcomes African storytellers into a space that feels like their own. On the fresh white walls of the common areas and above the beds in the twin bedrooms hang canvases and photo series displaying the work of photographers in this community. If there is one thing Africa does effortlessly, it’s add style and finesse into what could be basic or mundane. In the bedrooms a locally made straw broom meets you at the door, ready to sweep the dust and sand away - a small detail that instantly conjures a picture of the beautiful faces of the local, female Sodwana Bay artisans.
The windows and doors were so squeaky clean that we had more than one rip-roar of laughter as a few of our foreheads got acquainted with the glass. A reminder that here, we are not too loud or unprofessional. We simply are. Here, in this home and creative space, we have permission to be human and multifaceted in ways that are unique to our cultures. Whether catching up over breakfast, colour-grading or working on pitch decks in the light-filled, multifunctional dining and workspace areas - we are able to arrive as ourselves and slip effortlessly into the collective.
Marine Scientist Nancy Iraba, Emerging Presenter Nelisiwe Zikhali and Film Director Londiwe Shange.
Underwater Macro Photographer Juneid Petersen and Composer Muhamago.
NEWF’s dream of creating a space for travelling storytellers, and their advocacy for equitable partnerships, perfectly married Sli’s dream of serving her local community. This space has come to life in ways that leave us utterly inspired and enormously grateful for the support of every person who shares in the custodianship of this shared mission.
Embracing Ubuntu
One simply does not open up a space like this without the blessing from the elders and thanking the ancestors whose wisdom came long before this dream could be imagined. The opening ceremony reminded us of why this space holds so much pride and promise… eKhaya, is a love labour that encapsulates this community's spirit of ubuntu in every way imaginable. It’s a celebration of authentic, African-led storytelling, language, family, friendship and indigenous pride.
Ma’m Gcina Mhlophe blesses us with her wisdom and stories.
To honour our continent and ancestors, we opened with a prayer in Zulu and a song by Ma’m Gcina Mhlophe. The welcome, thank you and opening words were humbly spoken by Yolanda Mogatusi, a long time friend and industry mentor who moderated the first NEWF Congress in 2017 and participated in NEWF’s first dive lab in 2019. Offering her natural talent for spoken word, actress and writer Londiwe Shange rose to the occasion and translated as Sli shared the key moments in the journey that led to this centre.
Connecting Communities
Having a storytelling centre to invite fellows to, is not only a matter of the trust needed to share land and create a blueprint that homes such an expansive vision… It requires an enormous amount of resources. Powered by Africa Refocused, a collaboration with the National Geographic Society, eKhaya is a full circle shared and made bigger with partners who share in this vision for African storytelling and are willing to financially back it.
Chief Storytelling Officer, Kaitlin Yarnall, a longtime supporter and co-visionary representing National Geographic Society joined the celebration and shared a few words.
“I’m not going to say much, because this isn’t about me and it’s not about National Geographic. This is about an incredible community. At National Geographic our mission is to use the power of science, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of the world and I can think of no better physical embodiment of that, than this place. The science, the education and the storytelling is all through here, you can feel it - and it is all being used to illuminate and protect. For this reason, this collaboration is so important to us.” - Kaitlin Yarnall, Chief Storytelling Officer, National Geographic Society
The brevity of Kaitlin’s words of support spoke directly to the sincere understanding that this project is not about any particular organisation, but weaving visions that are bigger than creating one instance of positive impact. This centre is part of Sli’s story and her community - and her dream has created space for many others to come to life - the dream now, becomes the seed for tomorrow.
Across the room, curiously observing and taking it all in was Thomas Peschak, a National Geopgraphic explorer specialising in conservation and marine wildife photography. While he listened with us to the heartfelt opening words, an aspiring photographer familiar with his work quietly watched from across the room wondering when they’d have an opportunity to connect. And they did. Partnerships like the one NEWF has with NGS truly bridges gaps. It’s an opportunity for global talent to meet emerging talent - this meeting of minds bursts open a world of opportunity and a wave of active mentorship and collaborative energy that ripples far and wide.
As if our eyes could be any less dry, and our hearts any more full, a group of students from Othungwini, the primary school Sli attended as a child, flooded the atmosphere with joy as they christened the space with dance. The foundation they danced on, still empty and flat, will soon become a dedicated post-production studio and act as home for all the gear NEWF’s storytellers and their collaborators have access to.
Kaitlin Yarnall feeling the joy as everyone applauds the group of dancers.
Noel then embarked on a guided walk through the centre. Amongst the curious were the Chiefs attendees from the Mbila traditional council of Zikhali, representatives from the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, collaborators from the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission and National Film and Video Foundation, Disney Africa, local community members, NEWF fellows and National Geographic Explorers. All of us needed a moment to appreciate the work that went into this project, and to bask in the possibility it holds.
A princess and her feather
As we settled back into the screening lounge the spokesperson of Chief Inkosi NDabezinhle Zikhali finally felt ready to address Sli and all those in attendance. Mam’Gcina offered animated translations as we hung on every word, impatient to find out why the address had been delayed and set apart earlier in the evening.
A powerful moment as the room celebrates Princess Sli.
None of us were prepared for the pride and emotion that filled the room as the Chief honoured Sli’s hard work, determination and love for her community by granting her an honorary blue feather. This African tradition is synonymous with African royalty - the coronation of a princess - one who is for and of the people - and does so with style, humour and a healthy dose of sass. Another reminder that a graduation in Africa need not be inspired by western culture - it exists without a cap or paper, for before the cap, came the feather and the family tree.
At the centre of it all
This centre is not just symbolic, or something to celebrate and move on from weeks from now. The first of its kind in this region, it’s a functional storytelling centre that does what a home, coworking space, classroom and self-catering accommodation does - all rolled into one very sleek, modern centre. Breezy modernity aside, its beauty is in honouring the land by incorporating the mature trees, beautifully finishing each area with intentional decorative touches, slick fans for Sodwana’s intense heat and solar power. An interesting contraption warms water, a local team of cooks prepare hearty meals when large groups are spending time at the centre and the training-ready pool glistens across from the open deck table where fellows eat together, work as they move around the space and log their most recent dives.
The space is built around the needs of a community - local and in Africa at large - it’s a space with the collective at the centre of it all. Every floor plan and furniture choice has people in mind. And every storyteller and local who passes through with a new word to share or dive to log, fuels the dream that this will be one of many spaces of its kind sprinkled around Africa.
It turns out that the village does what it always has: it welcomes all of us home and makes sure we are collectively nurtured.
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Photographs by Qiniso Dladla for NEWF.
To read the Africa Refocused press release, please click here.
For more information on eKhaya, please contact us at info@newf.co.za
REMAIN TEACHABLE
A journey of food and family with Tembisa Jordaan
Tembisa talking about her Masterchef SA experience with friend Ruth Mthembu / Photo by Mnqobi Zuma
A quick search for Tembisa Jordaan yields impressive results - results that hint at her multiplicity and hardwork. A Marine Biologist by profession, an emerging documentary filmmaker, a foodie and a NEWF fellow - peeling back those layers, you realise that TJ is not just the sum of her achievements and the brief bios sprinkled across the internet - she is so much more and her vision runs deep. She defies the status quo by leaning into her power and ability while maintaining a humble soberness and practicality.
Being a Black woman in South Africa, she struggled for a long long time to accept that she could be good at everything she does - that her place in the world is defined by more than one talent or pursuit. Instead of her multiplicity representing a lack of direction, she now views it for what it is - a journey unfolding by design. And that journey is one of self-belief and overcoming the challenges of external limiting beliefs that hitch an unwelcomed ride when your dreams and visions are big.
We’ve met a handful of times over the last four years or so, the last being NEWF’s first Fellows Summit where we spent an evening talking about her film, her journey with food and what comes next. I had no idea that that conversation would become the key research for this piece, so much so that she popped me a whatsapp saying she answered lazily because we’ve spoken at such length. And now as I sit and write about TJ I think of how we tend to place those we admire on dangerous pedestals. With TJ it is hard to lose sight of reality when she is so keenly focused and aware of the need to remain teachable and open to what comes next. She is slow to define herself too specifically, honest about the challenges and passionate about the consequence and impact of any project she takes on.
A moment captured from Tembisa’s film “Ulwandle Lushile - Meeting The Tides” during a mussel harvest.
It is not enough for her film, Ulwandle Lushile - Meeting the Tides, to be the success it is. When she returns answers to the email I sent her, she briefly notes this about what this film means to her, ‘The most important thing for me is that the story is out and now the biggest work awaits - how do we change the situation that these women find themselves in? How do you leverage government programmes and external support to help them realise their dreams? It's a lot.’
Her passion for people, food and sustainable practices with communities at the heart of it is obvious. Her journey with food was bound to lead to a new opportunity - Season 4 of Masterchef South Africa. A proud moment for her, and for us as her NEWF community, one she credits with being a vital part of her journey since her support networks play a vital role in her personal and career growth. And as she faced elimination last night, one might be tempted to feel sad but for her being on MasterChef SA has been such an overwhelming and positive experience. She writes to me about how validating the experience was and how she competed not against her new MasterChef family, but herself as a cook reaching new heights in a high stress environment. She proves yet again how remaining teachable, present and passionate in her work always leads to the most beautiful human connection, growth and of course the opportunity to lean into the many, expressive hats she wears.
Tembisa fuelling her passion for food during an episode of Masterchef SA / Photo by Charlie Sperring
Her next personal goal is to one day share on South African food experiences on a platform as big as Food Network. To share about the sustainable use of food resources and the natural resources provided by our natural environments. She hopes to reflect on the history of South African food, how it became what it is and what people are eating in different parts of the country, and even continent. With that, she hopes it will include making more documentaries about our beautiful coastline.
And as she reports that she is open to whatever comes next for her and this season, she reminds us, and herself, that there is still a lot of work to be done, but that each step she takes is her daily investment.
We are so incredibly proud of you TJ - your journey continues its inspiring path, one we look forward to watching unfolding and expanding.
Tembisa on Masterchef SA / Photo by Charlie Sperring
A note from Tembisa: I dedicate my MasterChef experience in memory of my beautiful Grandmother, Nomsa Mnyele. May she continue to rest with the angels.
MaMiya, Rhenqwa, Gcwanini, Manda lihlwini, Sijekula, Sala kulandwelwa, Bhinqel'ehlangeni, Mlambo awuwelwa, uwelwa zinkonjane ezimhlophe ezibhabha emafini!
The World Underwater
Noel Kok, the visionary behind NEWF, is a man of many hats and a fearless leader who is constantly working towards changing the narrative of Africa. One way Noel seeks to do this is by providing access to the ocean through a series of programmes called NEWF Dive LABS.
These programmes aim to develop Africans who may have not had the ability nor the access to experience the ocean in a way that one can only dream of. Despite all the fellows and young people that have been on these amazing programmes, our leader and visionary, Noel, has never attempted to jump in the ocean himself. Until now.
When I heard the Kok family was coming to Cape Town, I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to give him a little nudge. Noel is always pushing us to attempt the things we only dream of, always encouraging us and helping us reach our goals, no matter how much we think we can’t; now it was my turn to help him face his fears!
I devised a plan where I told him that I was going to take him to the beach for a day where we would meet up with fellow NEWF fellows, Muneera and Amy. We can catch up and the kids can have a swim. He was excited. Little did he know what he was in for. After taking the children to visit the penguins, we then proceeded to Millers Point. It was raining, and I said, right, it’s time for a dive. He said “WHAT?!”. I told him that I have all the gear he needed in my car, ready for him.He told me that he was terrified because he was not a great swimmer. I said, you don’t need to swim, just to relax and float. To my surprise, Noel said, well, seeing that we are here, he might as well try.
We got him kitted up, and ready to go. Our leader was now ready to face his fears, despite the ice cold water temperature and the rain. He didn’t know what to expect, which was a little nerve wracking for him.
Once we got to the water, I helped him with his gear, adjusted his mask, and showed him how to breathe through his snorkel. We continued a little deeper in, and while holding his hands, I just asked him to simply float and breathe so that he can get comfortable with breathing through the snorkel. Now he was ready for his very first dive in the beautiful Kelp Forest of Cape Town.
We ventured out into the deep, me close by his side, and in the safe eye of Amy, not too far away. The first animal Noel saw was a sea star, and boy did he go off. If you have ever witnessed Noel seeing an animal, unexpectedly, that he has never seen before…replay that, but now underwater! The feeling was that of a child seeing something beautiful for the first time, screaming through his snorkel while pointing out what he sees. It was a priceless moment! Then we started seeing schools of fish as we floated on the surface and we wanted a closer look. I showed him how to hold his breath, equalise his ears, and how to pull himself down the kelp stipe, without harming it. To my surprise he was absolutely comfortable down there, “ The secret is in the stillness” he would later realise, until he saw fish come to him and he shot up fast with excitement and laughter.
I then told him, everything is already moving, so once we go underwater, we don’t need to move. By remaining still, we allow the marine life to feel comfortable with our presence, and not threatened. The longer we continued, the more his breath hold improved. He went down, remained calm, and still, the fish all came up to him, as if they were welcoming him and as he described, “one looked me straight in the eye, I swear.” It was truly an unforgettable moment for me personally as a student of his, now becoming his teacher. We remained in the water for two hours, I got to show him a mermaid’s purse (shark egg) and the body of a sleeping Pajama shark (Cat Shark), he exclaimed, “it was just as if it was *Faine’s film, I can’t stop thinking about her film.” We only got out of the water because he got a cramp.
After all the excitement from the dive, he asked, “can we go again tomorrow?” I laughed, canceled my plans, and said, yes we definitely can. When asked what his experience was like, one of the things he said was, “I will now be on every dive with the fellows, thank you for changing my life”.
*Faine Loubser is one of the winners of N.E.W Pitch 2019, she produced a film entitled Azilali.
By Mogamat Shamier Magmoet
THROUGH MY EYES
THE NEWF DIVE AND STORY LAB | KENYA
“Hey Hey Joshua, hope you are well. My name is Thobile, most people call me Thobi and I am writing you from NEWF (the Nature Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers). We are so excited that you have shown interest in the latest NEWF Dive and Story Lab and our first cross-border Dive lab in Kenya in partnership with East African Ocean Explorers…” This is how it all began.
For a person who had been longing to learn how to dive, this could not have come at a better time. To begin with, diving is a necessary skill for anyone studying or working in the marine field - I have been part of a team of researchers, community members, and other stakeholders working to restore degraded coral reefs, amongst other things. To make it even better, storytelling and filmmaking were a part of this too! As a child, I had dreamt about floating around in space, as an astronaut. Of course, this was a long shot, but at least, I had a dream. Being able to defy the law of gravity underwater was a win for me because now, I am an astronaut in the ocean.
I met strangers who immediately became like family to me. First, I met Elke from East African Ocean Explorers who picked me up from the bus stop, and with whom I had spoken to on the phone several times before. Then I met Hassan, a cool guy; respectful, funny with a good sense of humor. He would perform his military drills and try to make them relevant to our lab. Moments later, Sue and Norah joined us; lovely ladies. Sue and I share a career background as she is also in Marine Science. Her knowledge of seagrasses is proficient, I would say, and I admire that. Norah is a talented photographer and is pretty good behind the lens. Later on, Jahawi, the other half of East African Explorers would join us as mentor/co-pilot to Elke for this amazing 10-day experience, taking us through underwater cinematography.
The first day of training was really important for me, because the foundation for the lab, and for life to come, was being laid. Our instructors; Steve, Helen, Arnold, Dominic, and Herbert; were great people, and I could tell they had tons of experience after a short interaction with them. We were taken through the introductory theory session before going for the swim test. Luckily, we all passed! Then we were taught how to gear up for a dive. This was interesting-it feels different each time you do it even though it’s the same process and doing it correctly by myself was such an achievement for me. Gearing up is anything but difficult. However, it is a very important activity because diving depends on it. It does not matter how experienced one is, the right procedure must be followed. Don’t forget the buddy checks! I didn’t find it hard; by just observing and following instructions, I did it just as required.
The first pool session gave a glimpse of what was to come, the feeling of being weightless without much effort, just like an astronaut in space. I was super excited. Later that evening, we were introduced to East African Ocean Explorers and had the opportunity to watch Bahari Yetu, a short documentary film created by Jahawi and Elke Bertolli. And just like that, I was introduced to a whole new interesting world of filmmaking and storytelling. The next 8 days would see me work around my discoveries; diving, underwater filming, and storytelling. I had imagined that underwater filming would be easy, but I was wrong. It is a highly technical skill that takes time and practice to master. I found it challenging but worth learning about.
Sessions that followed were similar to those of day one, but we were learning something new each day and building on what we had learned previously. Even though things were not easy; with lots of chapters to read in the evenings and knowledge reviews to complete, and practical sessions all day, especially on days with two dives, we managed to smile through it all and had lots of fun and laughter. For instance, we were learning underwater navigation during one of the dives. I was supposed to swim 15 kick cycles in a certain direction and back to the starting point. I however went beyond the distance, swimming at a neck-breaking speed and not looking back. Herbert, my instructor, was frantically chasing after me (Chasing Josh), trying to draw my attention. Elke was watching and trying hard not to burst into laughter. Norah, my dive buddy, was busy getting separated from us. Herbert had to leave me with Elke and go looking for her (Finding Norah). It’s only at the surface that Hassan and Sue shared their experience, and they also had separated. In the end, of course, we had improved and had learned how to use the compass and estimation of distance.
Then came the first open water dive, on day 3 of the lab. This was a special day for me. I had no idea I would be spending a whopping 40 minutes underwater, and at a depth of 12 meters! Let alone the deep dive that would soon follow. Doing the seated back entry roll like any professional diver anywhere in the world was mind-blowing to me. I made it.
By the end of the 10 days of the Dive and Story Lab, with a total of 9 training dives, I had learned a lot regarding diving, underwater cinematography, and storytelling. NEWF Fellows who had done Dive and/or Storytelling Labs before shared their experiences, advice, and success stories during our Zoom meetings. The stories behind My Octopus Teacher, Phefumla and Bahari Yetu were an inspiration and a place to learn from. I had also had my very first manicure, and guess what, from cleaner shrimps! I can’t wait to book my second appointment.
My perspective of the ocean has changed even more because now, I feel I’m part of the ocean, like an atom in an element. Everything that happens down there, and even at the surface, is somehow my business and responsibility. Thanks to the great minds behind the idea of the Dive and Story Labs, I finally feel that my purpose has been clearly defined. Conservation through storytelling. Bridging the gap between conservation science and the art of storytelling and the film industry. Being one of the newest NEWF fellows, one of the very first from Kenya for that matter, is a great honour and privilege. It’s something I had neither anticipated nor seen coming. I am grateful to be a part of this. Next stop: Dive Master and beyond!
By Joshua Oginda
