African creatives call for sustainability and equity

by | Jul 30, 2025 | Arts & Culture

Creative Nestlings hosted a panel discussion about the importance of building community by working towards a profitable creative industry for filmmakers and online creators. 

  • Creative Nestlings has facilitated key discussions and communal events for creatives, empowering them to step into the industry with the tools and connections to make informed decisions 
  • The event featured a notable panel including Founder of NW+TV, Muthoni Waigwa, who emphasized the importance of authenticity and ownership of African content 
Muthoni Waigwa, producer-filmmaker and Founder of NW+TV Photo: Katlego Makhutle
  • NW+TV is an African-centric platform that aims to foster a community of creatives that can monetize and digitize their content in Africa 

#ConversationsOnCreativity is an events campaign facilitated by Creative Nestlings. On Saturday, 26 July, the NPO – which specialises in educating and connecting African creatives across the continent, hosted a panel discussion as part of their initiative to empower young creatives. The panel discussion focused on how African filmmakers and content creators can master methods of distribution and monetisation.  

The event was also inclusive of online content creators, writers, producers, and directors who sought to learn more about the critical need of building an equitable and African-rich storytelling industry. Dillion Phiri, founder of Creative Nestlings, highlighted that the business side of creative work, such as pitching and licensing, begins with doing research, being resourceful and building a strong community.  

Through #ConversationsOnCreativity, Creative Nestlings has dedicated their platform to do that, by partnering with NW+TV, an African-centric online streaming platform catering to small and independent content creators, filmmakers and producers. 

Muthoni Waigwa, Kenyan producer and host of the podcast Moments with Nderru, stated that monetization of films, documentaries, podcasts and series’ starts with research and expanding your network. Waigwa, a passionate media buyer, emphasized that “owning our narrative and telling our stories bravely” is a powerful tool for preserving our cultures and languages, whilst working towards moving away from a Western way of telling African stories.  

“What our platform is seeking to do is to elevate African voices,” said Waigwa.”For far too long, the Western media or audiences have dictated what our story should sound like, look like, and be produced, and so our stories have been diluted and misunderstood along the way.” 

The panel also discussed the need for visibility in changing the perceptions of creative work and the continued challenges of sustaining a reputable brand in an ever-changing digital age. Additionally, challenges in distributing content are largely due to a lack in resources and understanding of the research required to make informed decisions on content licensing and distribution.  

Producer, writer and actress and Wits alumna, Kirsten Muhammed. Photo: Katlego Makhutle

According to a report examining the impact of Digital Communication Technologies on the Film industry in SA, the shift from traditional media distribution to digital media distribution has changed the arts and entertainment industry significantly. There is a growing preference amongst audiences for films and other audiovisual content to be available online. Content distributed as large digital files rather than physical media has helped creators and producers spend less money on transportation and storage costs of physical footage.

Another key theme in the panel discussion was the importance of being “versatile” by occupying different roles in small to large scale productions, as it often creates a streamline for more opportunities and exposure to crucial employment networks. 

Writer, producer and actress, Kirsten Muhammed, told Wits Vuvuzela that it was hard trying to break into the industry, but once she gained an opportunity as a writer, it motivated her to persevere and get seen in a serious light in other different roles, including film production. 

Muhammed is the co-host of SABC2’s Disney Cookabaout and graduated from Wits University with a Bachelor of Dramatic Arts in Performance and Directing in 2015. The Wits Alumna said that the industry is shifting towards a truer reflection of portraying everyday African experiences. Motivating students and aspiring creators, Muhammed says, “We’re all still learning as we go. Budgeting, scheduling, storytelling…just keep learning and it’ll happen.” 

FEATURED IMAGE: From left to right- Director Dumisani Phakhathi, Director Karabo Lediga, Actress Kirsten Muhammed, NW+TV founder Muthoni Waigwa, and Creative Nestlings Founder Dillion Phiri. Photo: Katlego Makhutle

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Words and wit for the win 

by | Feb 21, 2024 | Arts & Culture

Entering its ninth decade of existence, Scrabble remains timeless and is being revived as the “king of board games” at Wits University.    

The communal tables in the Matrix on East Campus are occupied by people eating lunch, watching a game or chatting with friends – now it is the home of green boards and white tiles.

Vice president of Scrabble South Africa, Steven Gruzd has been facilitating game teasers during lunchtimes in February to attract participants for the upcoming launch of the official club on March 7, 2024. So far 77 wordsmiths have signed up.  

Developed in the 1930s by Alfred Butts, Scrabble has evolved into a global game, which is currently sold in 121 countries and available in over 30 languages. “I might even say it’s more strategic than chess since it has the elements of language, grammar and understanding parts of speech. If it’s still around after 70 years, then you know that it’s doing something right,” said Gruzd.  

First year student, Paula Madinga described the game as “intriguing and helpful for one’s memory” adding that more students could benefit from it. 

Another first-time player, Yandisa Nondonga from the Wits secretariat department added that she fell in love with Scrabble because it challenged her to think on her feet. “I love that Steven was always available to help, making it less frustrating and easier to understand,”said Nondonga.

  • Acting president of Scrabble South Africa, Dr Ike Obidike coaching new Scrabble club members. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
  • Yandisa Nondonga taking her turn on the Scrabble game. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
  • Wits Scrabble club members playing their first game at the Matrix. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov

The game has many educational benefits hence teachers use it as a fun and effective tool to enhance language skills for students. Gruzd reminisced about beginning to play Scrabble at the age of eight at Houghton Primary School, where it was offered as an extracurricular activity-leading to his participation in his first competition at the age of 12.   

“I have been playing for over 40 years and I’m still learning with each game,” he said. Wits had a Scrabble club in the 1990s which ran for a year and then closed. Now, Gruzd wants to ensure its longevity, with plans for a student-led committee, a varsity league, and participation in world championships. 

Membership is currently free, and the launch will be at Sturrock Park Sports Centre, West Campus of Wits between 16h00 and 21h00. However, this is limited to Wits students, staff and alumni.

FEATURED IMAGE: A picture of Yandisa Nondonga placing her tiles on the Scrabble board. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov

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