Speakers - Nextv Series Southern Africa

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Damola Ademola

Co-Founder

Inkblot Productions

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Damola Ademola

Co-Founder

Inkblot Productions

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Coming soon

Rajesh Jagadish

Sales Director - MEA

Ateme

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Rajesh Jagadish

Sales Director - MEA

Ateme

About the speaker

Rajesh Jagadish is the Director of Sales and Business Development for the Middle East and Africa at Ateme. He has a robust background in sales, business development, and technology strategy. Previously, he held leadership roles at Ooredoo Qatar, Emitac Mobile Solutions, and Emirates, showcasing his expertise in project management and business solutions. Rajesh holds an engineering degree in Electronics and Telecommunication, an Executive MBA in Digital Transformation from HEC Paris, and various certifications in project management and Lean Six Sigma. He is known for his innovative contributions to the broadcast and media technology sectors.

Lala Tuku

Acting Head of video entertainment

SABC

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Lala Tuku

Acting Head of video entertainment

SABC

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Coming soon

Kennedy K. Mambwe

Founder and CEO

KBN TV

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Kennedy K. Mambwe

Founder and CEO

KBN TV

About the speaker

Kennedy K. Mambwe is the Founder and CEO of KBN TV, a 24/7 digital television channel that airs on GOtv 27, DStv 279 and TopStar 102 nationwide in Zambia. Apart from pioneering KBN TV, Kennedy is a respected thought leader in Brand, Public Relations and Corporate Communications. He commands over 16 years of combined Corporate Communication, Marketing, and Journalism experience in various organizations. Prior to founding KBN TV, Kennedy was the Head of Digital Services at Zamtel where he spearheaded Digital Transformation and was responsible for developing, managing and maintaining Zamtel’s Digital Services Portfolio aimed at generating additional new revenue streams.

Natasha K. Mulowa

Product Lead- Digital and VAS

Airtel Zambia

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Natasha K. Mulowa

Product Lead- Digital and VAS

Airtel Zambia

About the speaker

Natasha Mulowa Product Marketing Manager with over a decade of expertise in SMS, Voice, Content, and Digital Value Added Services (VAS). Throughout her career, she has excelled in driving product growth and innovation, evidenced by her success in expanding the Credit Airtime product by over 50% annually for five consecutive years and pioneering the launch of the first MNO VOD/Linear TV platform.

Her core competencies include strategic innovation, decisive leadership, and effective team collaboration. She is adept at customer value management, project management, vendor relations, and digital platforms and content management. These skills have been pivotal in optimizing VAS portfolios, leading digital transformations, and spearheading impactful marketing campaigns.

Outside work, Natasha enjoys quiet walks in nature and spending time with family and friends.

Boniswa Qhama Sidwaba

Head of Content Operations

TikTok

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Boniswa Qhama Sidwaba

Head of Content Operations

TikTok

About the speaker

Boniswa is the Head of Content Operations at TikTok in Sub-Saharan Africa. Under her leadership, Boniswa is building a world-class team and collaborating with internal partners to develop creative ideas and execute featured programming.

Prior to TikTok, Boniswa held a position as a Senior Campaign Manager at Digify Africa, where she had the opportunity to work with institutions such as Hivos, Praekelt Foundation and more.
During her time at Digify Africa, Boniswa had the opportunity to lead a campaign called Project Demo, to submit a petition called #Free2Bleed to Parliament of South Africa to make sanitary pads free and accessible for women and girls across South Africa.

Boniswa aka JustSyd is also a DJ and runs her own music label called Most Girls Smell Good. After 5 years in corporate she decided to take a 1 year sabbatical, during this time she connected musicians and producers from South Africa, New York, Seoul and more to the underground nightlife scene in China during her time in Beijing and South Korea. Boniswa has djayed in some of South Korea and China’s most recognized clubs namely, Cakeshop Seoul, Dada Beijing, Dada Shanghai, ALL Club, Zhaoidai, Axis and more.
Boniswa graduated with BA Honours from the University of Cape Town. She also graduated with a BA honours in Theatre and Performance with a Major in Theatre Making and Play Directing.
Boniswa wrote a thesis titled “Black theatre in South Africa”.

Boniswa loves music and makes her own music in her spare time. The one thing she loves about TikTok is the authenticity that is seen on the platform. Boniswa says, “I think that’s the secret. If we’re open to freedom of expression and authenticity, we’ll have content for days”.

Panels

Content to be imported or exported?

Bright Yeboah

Co-founder & COO

Wi-Flix

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Bright Yeboah

Co-founder & COO

Wi-Flix

About the speaker

Co-Founder of Wi-flix, business strategist and Managing Director of BacTech Solutions Limited. I believe I have a good story to super-charge early startup founders, entrepreneurs who are poised for the 4th revolution in emerging markets.

Bright has over 17 years of experience in Digital Business and Value-Added Services, Content Curation and Acquisition in global environments. He has significant general management startup Leadership across Media-Tech, Commerce, and Telecommunications. He led the team that built the Wi-flix App, leveraging on partnerships with Telecom companies across Africa, including MTN, Vodafone, AirtelTigo, Safaricom and others.

Craig Kelly

CEO

AfricaXP

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Craig Kelly

CEO

AfricaXP

About the speaker

Coming soon

Nicola Van Niekerk

Head of content for Premium Channels & Co-production

MultiChoice

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Nicola Van Niekerk

Head of content for Premium Channels & Co-production

MultiChoice

About the speaker

Nicola van Niekerk is a broadcast and television professional with more than 17 years’ experience in the industry. She has worked in production in a variety of genres, from drama, soap, variety shows and documentary, and produced content for various broadcasters around the globe.

Nicola joined kykNET in 2012 as Commissioning Editor and was later promoted to a Senior Manager in kykNET. She has been in her current role of Head of Content for Premium Channels & Co-productions since 2023. Nicola and her team create and commission content for the English and Afrikaans viewers across Multichoice’s channels and platforms. Their output includes premium documentary, scripted and unscripted content. She is also passionate about creating and financing international co-productions with international partners.

Tshepiso Sello Phiri

CEO and founder

Known Associates Entertainment

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Tshepiso Sello Phiri

CEO and founder

Known Associates Entertainment

About the speaker

Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri is the CEO and founder of the Known Associates Group, encompassing a below-the-line agency, design studio, film production and finance company, and a state-of-the-art Film & Television Studio under development in Gauteng’s Cradle of Humankind. She is a University of Cape Town alumna with 20 years’ experience in Communications, Events, Media & Marketing, TV, and Film Producing. Her career began with international events such as the North Sea Jazz Festival and Sithengi Film Festival, and she also worked in traditional advertising.

In 2007, Tshepiso shifted her focus to television and film production, starting at Bomb Productions as Associate Producer on the drama series Zone14. She co-founded Zing Entertainment in 2008, collaborating with Pulp Films on MTN’s The Beautiful Game, a football documentary shot across Africa. Tshepiso’s company, Known Associates Pty Ltd (KA), established in 2014, operates as a below-the-line agency with its own creative design studio. She serves on several boards and has expanded her influence through ventures like Known Associates Entertainment and the acquisition of Moonlighting Films PTY LTD, focusing on developing original productions such as ‘uBettina Wethu’ and servicing international films like Universal Studios’ Beast and Sony Pictures’ The Woman King

Leanne Kumalo

Film producer and Managing Director

Seriti Films

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Leanne Kumalo

Film producer and Managing Director

Seriti Films

About the speaker

Leanne Kumalo is a South African film producer, and Managing Director of Seriti Films which she co-founded in 2017.

Leanne is also a prolific Executive Producer in Television having created and produced several TV Drama Series, such as Gomora, Redemption, The Herd, and Code 13. She also heads up the Seriti Commercials division as Executive Producer.

Her first feature film as producer was Bunny Chow (2005) official selection for Toronto Film Festival, which she produced while still completing her honours degree in filmmaking at the African School of Motion Picture (AFDA). Her passion for business and visual story telling led her into produce over 100 TV commercials in the last 12 years, having won several notable industry accolades such as Loeries, Pendorings and Creative Circle.

Philipp Hoffmann

Founder & Managing Director

TidPix

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Philipp Hoffmann

Founder & Managing Director

TidPix

About the speaker

Panels

Content to be imported or exported?

Graeme Swanepoel

Co Founder & Executive Producer

GOAT Originals

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Graeme Swanepoel

Co Founder & Executive Producer

GOAT Originals

About the speaker

As the Co-Founder and Executive Producer of GOAT Originals, Graeme Swanepoel leads the creation and management of award-winning productions and post-production services for global audiences. With over 20 years of experience, Graeme has produced more than 8,000 hours of content, entertaining viewers worldwide.

Having worked extensively with leading studios and renowned US TV Producers, Graeme gained significant exposure and mentorship in Los Angeles during the peak of the reality TV surge in the 2010s. His work has been featured on platforms such as FOX, MTV, Showmax, Apple+, Amazon Prime, BET, Hulu, Netflix, Discovery, CBS, NBC, A+E, MNET, History, and Nat Geo. Graeme has conceived, created, and managed over 30 original titles, with 16 shows achieving #1 slots on global networks and VOD platforms.

Accolades include a 2023 SAFTA for Best Reality Show, three Gold Promax Awards, two Silver Promax Awards, and an Emmy nomination submission for Best Director and Best Non-Scripted Daytime Show from A+E Networks in 2020. In 2019, Fast Company magazine named Graeme the leading Creative in Business in Africa.

Passionate about pushing creative boundaries with technology and AI, Graeme and his company GOAT Originals are dedicated to evolving emerging markets globally in content strategy, production, and post-production. Their goal is to shift the focus from predominantly Western-centric production quality to a more inclusive global stage.

David Niwagaba

Director

Luntha tv

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David Niwagaba

Director

Luntha tv

About the speaker

Panels

Broadcasters’ role in the new TV landscape

Lungile Binza

COO

SABC

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Lungile Binza

COO

SABC

About the speaker

Lungile Binza is an experienced ICT Professional with over 20 years in the field, including 8 years as an ICT Executive and currently acting as Group COO at SABC. His primary role is Group Executive of Technology (ICT, Engineering, and Architecture), and he is a founding Director of 4H Consulting and CIO Lab. Previously, he held senior positions such as CIO for FNB Contact Centres and SA Mint Company. With a background in Software Engineering, he has gained extensive experience across sectors like Broadcasting, Investment Banking, Travel, Tourism, Retail Banking, Insurance, Central Banking, and Manufacturing during his 22-year career in Corporate South Africa.

He holds two Masters degrees: one in Information Systems (MCom IS) from the University of Cape Town and another in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Pretoria. Currently, he is completing a PhD in Information Systems at the University of Cape Town, focusing on ethical Artificial Intelligence in banking performance. He is a frequent participant, speaker, and panelist at major ICT and Broadcasting conferences in South Africa, including GovTech, Broadcast Media Africa (BMA), Gartner, and IDC.

Jason Lobel

Head of OTT Partnerships

MTN South Africa

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Jason Lobel

Head of OTT Partnerships

MTN South Africa

About the speaker

Panels

Telco and OTT platform partnership

Tebogo Matlawa

Head of Scripted Content: Middle & Mass: SA

MultiChoice

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Tebogo Matlawa

Head of Scripted Content: Middle & Mass: SA

MultiChoice

About the speaker

Tebogo Matlawa has over 10 years' experience in the film and television industry, he has a strong track record as a content developer and broadcast executive. Some of his responsibilities and competences are strategy
development and implementation, production management, concept creation, the proven ability to commission compelling and commercially viable productions that cater to the needs of their audience. Through his various roles as Content Specialist, Commissioning Editor, Pre-Sales and Content AcquisitionSpecialist and Senior Manager he has gained vast experience not only on content but also on the business of
show business. As the Head of Scripted Content: Middle & Mass: SA, he is a strategic decision-maker who continues to effectively translate strategy and planning into operational reality whilst identifying key developmental opportunities that position business for growth. He has worked on several feature films, drama series, made for TV movies and telenovelas.

Some show credits include:

 Youngins, Adulting, My Brothers Keeper, Red Ink, Umkkhoka, Outlawz, Sibongile and The Dlamini’s,
The Wife, Code 13, Diep City, The Throne, Queen Modjadji

Vikash Barath

Group Senior Manager – Video Portfolio and MTN TV

MTN

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Vikash Barath

Group Senior Manager – Video Portfolio and MTN TV

MTN

About the speaker

coming soon

Panels

Role of linear TV in the digital world

Mlamuli M. Dlamini

CEO

Eswatini TV Authority

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Mlamuli M. Dlamini

CEO

Eswatini TV Authority

About the speaker

I am an innovative business leader with great problem-solving skills and strong business acumen. I have a proven track record of achievement and experience in strategic planning, problem-
solving, change management, continuous improvement and international business. One of my convictions is that the organization employees are its greatest asset. As a leader, I hold myself to
higher standards and strive to build trust and foster open communication in order to create an environment that enables people to achieve their full potential.

Panels

Broadcasters’ role in the new TV landscape

Randall Abrahams

Group Executive: Digital Solutions

Telkom South Africa

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Randall Abrahams

Group Executive: Digital Solutions

Telkom South Africa

About the speaker

Randall Abrahams began his professional career at Good Hope FM in Cape Town where he was station manager during the mid-90s. He then moved to Johannesburg and was part of the team that set up youth radio station yfm. Randall moved back to the SABC in 2002 as GM: Commercial Radio heading up 5fm, Metro FM and Good Hope FM until 2006. He consulted on various radio and entertainment projects from mid-2006 and was CEO of the MTN SAMAs in 2011/12. He joined Universal Music Africa in June 2012 as MD and left in 2016 to pursure personal business interests. In May 2022, Randall was appointed as CEO of Primedia Broadcasting overseeing the operations of talk stations Radio 702 & Cape Talk, alongside market leading music stations 947 & Kfm. He joined Telkom as Group Executive: Digital Solutions in August 2023. Randall’s television appearances include South African Idols and SA’s Got Talent

Matshepo Sehloho

Associate Editor

Connecting Africa

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Matshepo Sehloho

Associate Editor

Connecting Africa

About the speaker

Yandiswa Nkonde

Head of Channel

Urban Brew Studios

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Yandiswa Nkonde

Head of Channel

Urban Brew Studios

About the speaker

Calvin Collett

CEO

Melon Mobile

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Calvin Collett

CEO

Melon Mobile

About the speaker

I have spent over 22 years in the Technology and Telecoms space. Driven by technology and innovation I have dedicated these years to building diverse, high-performing teams with a keen focus on creating a strong company culture. Before starting Melon Mobile I spent 5 years at MTN as part of the Exec Team which involved building one of MTNs first sub-brands, Supersonic – taking it to number 1 ISP in its first year of relaunch.

I am a firm believer in South Africa, its people and its immense potential. My latest start-up, Melon Mobile – South Africa’s first fully digital MVNO is set to disrupt the mobile industry by putting the consumer at the heart of it all, offering a new level of control, flexibility, and value.

James Chona

Chief Commercial Officer

Zamtel

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James Chona

Chief Commercial Officer

Zamtel

About the speaker

James Chona is the Chief Commercial Officer at Zambia Telecommunications Limited ZAMTEL). ZAMTEL is Zambia’s dominant digital solutions provider that is wholly owned by the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Industrial Development Corporation. James has over 20 years in Aviation, Telecoms, Banking and Consumer Electronics where he has delivered with solid Technical, Project and Commercial Management.

He Previously served as Country Director for Airtel Money and as Country Head of Consumer Banking at Ecobank Zambia. James also worked for Samsung Electronics as Business Leader in charge of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique.

Michael Dearham

Senior Consultant

StarTimes

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Michael Dearham

Senior Consultant

StarTimes

About the speaker

Mr. Michael Dearham currently serves as senior consultant to Beijing-based StarTimes Group of companies. As former Vice President of StarTimes Group he was responsible for successful management of over 400 tv channels. During his tenure at Multichoice, he curated the world's largest African Film Library, a collection of several thousand African feature film classics. As head of M-Net’s Content Sales division, Michael was responsible for worldwide sale and distribution of several popular M-Net owned television programmes e.g. Jacobs Cross, Tinsel, etc.

He started his career in radio communications and political science, has held a number of high-level consultancy posts within the South African government, National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and international donor community. He serves as curator and judge at several international film festivals and was awarded the prestigious Prince Claus Award (an initiative of the Dutch Government) for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the African film industry.

Rochani Steenkamp

Executive Head of Product

MultiChoice

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Rochani Steenkamp

Executive Head of Product

MultiChoice

About the speaker

Coming soon