Leslie Lendis worked as a Marketing and Sales Manager for 20 years with various companies and with Lever Brothers for 7 years. After Lever Brothers, Leslie moved to MCC (The Movie Camera Company) working as film gear rentals co-ordinator for 3 years. He joined AFDA Cape Town in 2006 and completed his Honours and won best 4th year film for 'Barren'. He is currently writing for his MTh. Leslie has served as the production coordinator, 1st and 2nd year Producing lecturer as well as the 1st year class mentor for 4 ½ years at the Cape Town Campus and joined the Johannesburg campus in September 2010. Leslie is passionate about teaching and encouraging students to reach their full potential.
M Tech Drama - Pretoria Technikon
Mr. Du Toit is a multi-talented performer, writer and composer who has made his mark on the South African cultural and arts landscape. Winner of two VITA Awards, a De Kat Award (KKNK) and an ATKV Crescendo Award, he studied at Austria's University of Graz, the Pretoria Technikon and New York University. He has performed in over 50 stage productions, TV series and full-length features. Du Toit served on the selection board of the Aardklop National Arts Festival, inniBos National Arts Festival as well as the Awards Committee of the KKNK. He is a musical director, film composer and corporate musician and also serves as a SAMA-judge.
BA MPM Honours
Having begun a career as an actor from a very young age Darryl graduated in Writing/Directing from AFDA in 2004. His short film "Four Days" was screened in Cannes in 2005 which led to writing and directing on several local TV drama series (including "One Way", the award winning "Hillside" and "Tshisa" for the SABC). Along with his teaching, he is also writing on a radio drama “Radio Whatchamacallit” with Paul Slabolepszy for SAFM and insert directing on Top Billing. A feature film is also in development.
BA HONS, MA Dramatic Arts
Anthony Ambala who's lectured in both Screen Writing and Editing at AFDA and Wits University holds an MA Dramatic Arts in Television and Film Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand and a BA (Hons) in Literature, Film and Drama from Moi University, Kenya. He was one of ten pioneer screenwriters at the Maisha Screen Writer's Lab run by Film Maker Mira Nair with the feature script Chameleons. He's written numerous television scripts for Live SABC 2 shows such as World of Winners. Anthony has also presented academic papers on film at the Es'kia Mphahlele Colloquium and Arts Forum at Wits University and the SACOMM Conference. He has supervised several post graduate students and is an external examiner, moderator and mentor at Vaal University of Technology and Wits University.
B.Soc.Sci cum laude, LLB cum laude, MFA Film and Television Screenwriting
Dreams really can come true with hard work and an appreciation of the present moment, no matter what form it takes. Zunaid Mansoor wanted to learn how to write for TV and cinema from the very moment he discovered that there was a script behind the scenes. That wish became reality when in 2007, after passing the Attorneys' board exams, he was selected as the top Fulbright Scholar from South Africa by the U.S. government to study a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film & TV (Screenwriting) in California. There, Zunaid studied the craft of screenwriting under Oscar and Emmy award winning professional filmmakers and acclaimed script doctors in Hollywood including David Ward, Alex Rose, John Carpenter, Barbara Schock, William Friedkin, Michael Schiffer and Ron Friedman. Following his graduation, Zunaid secured a competitive spot as an intern with CBS and The Bold and The Beautiful where he was mentored by Headwriter and owner Brad Bell and the production team. He also worked as Script Development Assistant for a Hollywood film producer, honing his skills as a script reader and story analyst. "I've returned home to help build our screenwriting capacity as a teacher to those who want to learn... and to make movies here!"
1996 – 1998: B.A. Communication, Rand Afrikaans University;
2000 – 2001: B.A. Audiovisual Production Management, Rand Afrikaans University;
2002 – 2004: Editor, Bomb
2005 – to-date Editing Discipline Champion, AFDA (The South African School for Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance)
While at Bomb, Dave completed installations for both the Hector Pieterson Memorial – and Apartheid Museums. He edited Wednesday (2004, dir. David McKenzie), a forty eight minute documentary on June 16, 1976; The First Decade (2004, dir. Angus Gibson), celebrating 10 years of South African democracy; and Yizo Yizo: The First Chapter (2004, dir. Angus Gibson), a retrospective prior to the launch of the Yizo Yizo 3 series in 2004. He provided post production support on Yizo Yizo 3, where he completed an offline cut of episode 3, and an offline and online cut of episode 5. While he specialized in documentary editing, he also completed corporate work for Telkom, Sanofi-Avensis, and Ster Kinekor Home Entertainment. He has edited music videos for Brenda Fassie (Matshidiso and Malibongwe). While at AFDA, he worked on A Short History of Jo'burg (2006, dir. Gail Behrmann), a short documentary that formed part of a larger installation for Ross Douglas' Art Logic; a documentary presentation on the South African Boer War for Standard Bank (2006, dir. Gail Behrmann) and a video installation for the opening of the Sterkfontein Caves (2006, dir. Gail Behrmann). He edited the Blink promo (2007, dir. Shmera Passchier & Andy Grealy) for the Master of Fine Arts programme at AFDA, and in 2008 edited Miss Sgodiphola (dir. Andy Kasrils), a short fiction film as part of the SABC 1 'Shorts and all' initiative. He continues to collaborate with Stephen Hobbs and João Orrechia – first on a short experimental film for the 2008 SASOL Wax Art Awards, and now the 300 Lbs. Of Hammer art intervention in 2009.
Chris Piggins was born at a very young age – 2 to be exact. A noisy child, Mr. Piggins was thrust into the world of radio and sound at the age of 14, volunteering at the local community radio station in Guelph, Canada. Since then, he has worked extensively in television and film as a foley artist, sound effects editor, dialogue editor and location sound recordist in Canada and South Africa. Mr. Piggins has a degree in film from Concordia University in Montreal and has taught workshops at McGill University and The University of Sherbrooke. Some of his credits include "Life in The Balance, Discordia, Desperately Seeking Helen, Mr. Bones 2 and White Wedding".
Gavin has been teaching animation for the past 13 years. He lectures in both Traditional and Digital Animation, 2D & 3D. He has pioneered and developed many animation curricula specifically for the South African market. He has working experience in managing both a design studio and a software distribution channel.
BA Honours AFDA, N4 Clothing Construction
Stephanie has worked in the industry as a stylist, makeup artist and designer for blue chip clientele such as Nashua, Spice Gold, for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition and Kick Off magazine in collaboration with Michael Ivy for Michael Ivy Haute Couture. She has also currently worked on a South African feature film called "The Unforgiving" as Special Effects Makeup artist.
BA Dramatic Art (Honours) Wits University School of Dramatic Art
Bradley Goss began his career as a cartoonist before his studies at the Wits University School of Dramatic Art, achieving a distinction in design. Upon graduation, he worked as Technical Stage Manager for the Market Theatre, before embarking on a freelance career in set and costume design, illustration, theatre, set and props building and lecturing. In his career, he has designed for over 30 productions and twice been nominated for the FNB /Vita awards. He joined AFDA as Head of Production Design in 2003.
S.A. M. Martin trained under international industry professionals imported by the S.A.B.C. in 1973. She has subsequently been involved in every area of television production, including training and development. She was involved in the planning and shooting of the daily tele-serial EGOLI for its entire duration of 18 years. S.A. M. directed the first "LIVE LOTTO" in S.A. and she has directed TV shows in Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana, for their national broadcasters. She is active in the professional industry and directed "So You Think You Can Dance", for SABC 1. S.A. M. is passionate about Television and passing on what she has learned to others who are also passionate about TV!
SJolanda Ferreira has been involved in TV productions and broadcasting for the past 10 years. She worked for Spirit Word, which started broadcasting in 2000 on various other TV Channels. In 2004 the Spirit Word Channel started its own TV Channel, broadcasting via the Intelsat PAS 7 & 10 satellites to Africa, the Middle East and the surrounding Islands. It also broadcasts via the Hotbird 8 Satellite to Europe and covers the whole world via Internet Streaming. Jolanda moved to Gauteng in December 2010 and joined the AFDA staff in 2011.
MFA AFDA
Shmerah Passchier is a passionate filmmaker who has worked all over the African continent directing, producing, shooting and editing documentaries, television shows, inserts and music videos. Her documentary "Nelson Mandela and the End of Apartheid" is part of a permanent HDV installation at the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco.
Harman Guy Cusack, a member of the SASC, has had 35 years of experience as a cinematographer, starting his career in the then Rhodesia with the Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation and carrying on to direct many programmes during his time with the broadcaster. He later became a Director/Cameraman for the Ministry of Information's film unit. He returned to South Africa in 1983, when the local movie industry was beginning to flourish, and freelanced as a cinematographer. Since then he has worked on many big name features like, Blood Diamond (2007), The Constant Gardener (2005), Merlin The Return (2000), The Ghost and the Darkness (1996), Cry, the Beloved Country (1995), The Air Up There (1994).
BA Honours in Motion Picture Medium
Grant has just graduated from AFDA Johannesburg. Grant has worked on Several TV Spots (both National and International), Music Videos, Short Films and Corporate videos (JSE, RMB, Gijima etc).
He takes a keen interest in various other disciplines that support VFX such as Cinematography, Editing and more recently Special Effects (Practical Effects).
Justin Strydom is a South African actor, producer, writer and voice artist best known for his role as Captain Leon Cutts on the M-Net television drama series Snitch, from 2004-2007. Justin studied acting at the Pretoria Technikon and is currently the Head of the Screen acting department at AFDA. He served as a lieutenant in the armed forces, specializing in anti-tank and small arms weapons. Special skills include Latin and Ballroom dancing, horse riding, motorbikes, quad bikes, boxing, Shotokan (unarmed defence), military special weapons, MC and onscreen coach. He has appeared in numerous television shows including Egoli, Zero Tolerance, Generations, Jozi Streets, Scandal!, Song vir Katryn, The Res, Villa Rosa, 7de Laan and Binnelanders. Feature films he has acted in include Sibahle, Stander, Scarred Instinct and Angela and Boereoorloe. In theatre he has appeared in the stage plays Please Tell Us...; Love, Valour, Compassion; White Men in Buckets; Vettie-Vettie; Judas Kiss; Death of a Salesman; Dubbel en Dwars and Dis Nie Teen Stande. In 2008 he co-wrote, produced and starred in the M-Net Original Productions mini-series Innocent Times, notable for its extensive use of special effects, including green screening and CGI. He played the role of Stan in the SABC2 drama series The Mating Game, in 2010. He is the co-owner of the production company Shooting the Moon - which produced Innocent Times - with Geoff Newton and Sibusiso Mambo.
Libe Ferreira has extensive experience as casting director, television and film script writer, and drama/dialogue coach. She was born in Port Elizabeth, was taught drama by Mari Mocke (Kinderteater) and Marlene Pieterse (now Stageworld) and since childhood performed in various stage productions. She completed her tertiary studies at two universities one degree overlapping the other by obtaining special permission from the UOFS to complete her Masters Degree in Literary Science while being a first year drama student at the University of Stellenbosch. After completing her BA Drama degree, Libé started her career in the entertainment industry. She worked for PACT and the SABC, toured through Namibia with SWAPAC productions. In the 90's she took a ten year break from the industry and returned to Port Elizabeth where she raised her tantalizing twins and simultaneously owner-managed an independent school. During this period she was nominated for two Artes awards. Her passion for the entertainment industry led her back to Johannesburg in 2002. Libé Ferreira has been casting director, script writer and dialogue coach for Franz Marx Films since 2002. For eight years she juggled three jobs at the same time, thriving on the adrenalin rush of keeping all three balls in the air. The combination of these three positions gave her invaluable expertise - especially in the casting field where close collaboration with producer, director, head writer and actor is essential to guarantee success and satisfaction. She thrives on new challenges, nurturing and inspiring new talent.
Drikus Volschenk is a South African actor best known for his soapie roles as Anton in SABC3's Isidingo and as Stanley in M-Net's Egoli: Place of Gold. Coming from an academic family he had to enrol at the University of Potchefstroom where he did a degree in Business Communication, specialising in Art History, Graphic Design, Creative Writing and Tourism. He also did an Honors Degree specialising in Audiovisual-, Mass-, Business- and New Media Communication, obtaining 13 distinctions and awarded Best Student in Communication Studies. After more than two years in the UK he returned to Johannesburg and enrolled at the School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA) as a music student. He graduated as a screen actor with a nomination for Best Male actor in a lead role, an award for Best Short Film and performing in professional productions for television and stage. He began his professional career as a freelance actor in January 2006 and since then has appeared in numerous television productions including Isidingo, Amalia, Binnelanders, Die wat Stom is, Begeertes, City Ses'la, Villa Rosa, Generations, The Lab, Jozi-H, Hard Copy, Erfsondes, Egoli, 7de Laan, Riemvasmaak and Interrogation Room. He has also acted in the feature films Skin and Ace of Hearts, both in 2008.
B.A. MPM Honours
Lloyd's distinguished film, television and theatre career began in October 1980, working on many local and international films and commercial productions. Lloyd has completed a Teachers Technology Curriculum computer course and is an accredited teacher of this course.
In January 2004 Lloyd began his teaching career at AFDA after joining the Lecturing staff of the Johannesburg Campus as Head of Department of Producing – Senior Lecturer. Lloyd graduated with an Honours degree in Producing from AFDA in 2004 and his short film "BOX" was screened in Cannes in 2005. Apart from lecturing and overseeing almost 300 productions per year as Head of Production; as AFDA's Broadcast Broker, he also liaises with the National Broadcaster, M-Net and the African Film Library in providing AFDA student product for TV broadcast. Lloyd's additional portfolio is that of Head of all Broadcasting and contracts and delivery of product to the broadcasters.
Lloyd is currently completing his Master of Fine Arts Degree.
BA Live Performance, BA Motion Picture Honours
Keroshin Reddy began his studies in Live Performance at AFDA in 2006 after majoring in Music in his final year he moved over to the Motion Picture Degree where he attained his honours in Producing. In his third year he was nominated for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship and awarded the AFDA Honours Development.
In 2010 Keroshin became a Junior Lecturer in the Production department and Lecturer in the Core Course Department.
In 2011 Keroshin became Production Coordinator in AFDA and Lecturer in Producing for 1st and 2nd year.
Keroshin has over the past two years worked on several industry projects one being the FIFA World Cup he is also a joint partner in a production company, and works closely with industry parties.
Gina Bonmariage’s career spans 25 years in the entertainment and media industries in production, marketing and training both internationally in Europe and in South Africa. In Luxembourg she was a producer and founding partner of Lynx Productions, producing documentaries and feature films, while also collaborating with EAVE, a European programme for the training of film producers. On her return to South Africa she was head of development for Primedia Pictures and set up AVEA for the training of African film producers. She was a member of the founding Council of the National Film and Video Foundation before joining the organisation as Head of Human Capital Development. She joined AFDA in 2009.
M.A. WITS (CUM LAUDE)
Mr. Basson graduated cum laude from the University of the Witwatersrand, where he won a gold medal as best BA student. He has co-written a number of plays and cabarets for the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival. A poet and lyricist, Anton has also published several short stories, as well as academic articles. Before joining AFDA, he taught linguistics and narrative theory at Wits, Vista Soweto and RAU for over 15 years.
BA Masters in Dramatic Art (Specializing in film & television)
A filmmaker and screenwriter, Christo’s student short films have won awards and been flighted on local television, he has also worked extensively as a film critic for several years. As a member of the Curriculum Development Department, he and his colleagues are tasked with researching and producing stimulating content for use within the AFDA teaching curriculum.
Trisan Reddy works at the AFDA Curriculum Development Department where he writes, researches, and plans lessons. He completed a Bachelor of Dramatic Arts in 2006 and the Master of Arts in Arts and Culture Management in 2008 both at the University of the Witwatersrand. He has since taught art at high school and adapted, produced, and directed Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors for community and school-based theatrical performances.