Bongani Morgan
Believe in the power of your dreams, says film director Bongani Morgan, 29, who has certainly acted upon his own advice. He works for Spitfire Films and has directed a number of award-winning TV shows and three documentaries. During the making of a documentary on Springbok rugby player Makazole Mapimpi, the film crew discovered that his Secondary School, had become run-down, so the children of had to attend other schools that were far away. The school was refurbished and opened again in 2024, which “transcended every accolade my films have received”, says Bongani.
Botlhale Boikanyo
Award-winning poet, actress, speaker and presenter Botlhale Boikanyo came into the limelight at the age of 11, when she became youngest winner of SA’s Got Talent in 2012. Botlhale likes to combine her art with activism: she was a lead actress in the film The Deal, which examines the issues associated with gender-based violence and the effects of poverty. She founded the Botlhale Boikanyo Foundation. She was proud of being part of The Legacy of Hope Foundation, which raises funds for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
Daniel Steyn
Daniel Steyn was one of the journalists at GroundUp who broke the Thabo Bester story in 2023 that sent ripples through the nation, and which continues to top headlines in South Africa today. At 27, Daniel has already co-authored a book, titled The Thabo Bester Story, and consulted on a Showmax Original docu-series called Tracking Thabo Bester. His academic background in film and television studies has also given him the opportunity to direct two episodes of the Showmax Original docu-series The Illuminated.
Godisamang Khunou
Making the voices of black African women and the queer community heard is the goal of film director and producer Godisamang Khunou, 32. Her award-winning documentary feature, Black Women and Sex, won her international acclaim and pushed her into the limelight. It focused on controversial topics and exposed the negative influences of patriarchy in Africa, as did her follow-up, Sharp End of a Knife.