Our Team
Board Members
Natalie Delport Louw
SWIFT Chair
Natalie is a renowned board member with a passion for skills development shown by her extensive experience in developing vocational programs across multiple industries. She has a solid background in life skills, human behaviour, and leadership and management as demonstrated by her successful development initiatives. Her involvement in skills development is underpinned by her commitment to empowerment, equality, and transformation while prioritizing integrity.
Pearl Munonde
Vice-Chair
FINANACE, SISTERHOOD CINEMA and SKILLS & MENTORSHIP COMMITTEE
Pearl Munonde is an award-winning 26-year experienced Film, TV, and Documentary Producer. Starting as a Script Coordinator and Translator for Soul City, she progressed to being a Line Producer. Pearl has served as an advisory panel member for Development and Production at the NFVF and holds various leadership positions on boards such as Durban Film Mart Institute and SASFED. She is an active contributor to the industry's development and governance.
Mapitso Ralephata
Treasurer
FINANACE COMMITTEE
Mapitso, a Financial Information Systems graduate, made a breakthrough in media production in 2015 and hasn't looked back. With a corporate background, she is an Executive Producer and Producer at Leburugraphy Pictures with over 15 Made for TV movies and 4 Feature films, a SAFTA Award, and a recent AMVCA Nomination.
Nerusha Maharaj-Sadapal
SISTERHOOD CINEMA COMMITTEE
Nerusha has 10+ years' experience as a location scout and film fixer for local and international media productions. She founded NPC: Let's Act and runs a one-stop production store for filmmakers in KZN, with 70+ successful productions assisted. She's the head of the Digital Entrepreneur program for the KZN Film Commission and city head of 48 Hour film project in KZN.
Keshni Rajoo
SISTERHOOD CINEMA and SKILLS & MENTORSHIP COMMITTEE
Since 1990, Keshni Rajoo has worked across various fields of the television industry. She began as an Assistant Producer at Bop Broadcasting Corporation and progressively achieved the position of Producer/Technical Director for Live and Pre-recorded studio/ Outside Broadcast shows along with insert shoots conducted at diverse locations.
Minenhle Luthuli
HR, SOCIAL & ETHICS COMMITTEE
Minenhle Luthuli is an award-winning filmmaker and television scriptwriter. Her debut short film, Heart Attack, premiered at the Durban International Film Festival and her short film, Get Ready With Me, won the 2022 NEFTI competition. Currently, Minenhle is in pre-production for her next short film, Being You, and is developing her first feature film, Abany'Omama, with Kwa-Zulu Natal Film development funding.
Roberta Durrant
HR, SOCIAL & ETHICS COMMITTEE
Roberta is an accomplished creative director, producer, and showrunner for film and television. She worked extensively in theatre and film before transitioning behind-the-scenes. Roberta has won numerous national and international awards. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NFVF.
Rosemary Mangope
AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE
Rosemary has 38 years of experience in arts administration, social and community development, and executive roles in the private and public sectors. She holds a master's degree in social science and is a member of the Institute of Directors of South Africa.
Rosemary Diaho
AUDIT & RISK, SISTERHOOD CINEMA COMMITTEE
Rosemary is a screenwriter, researcher, and entrepreneur with a passion for visual storytelling. With a background in sociology and forced migration, she has worked in auditing, program coordination, and research. Her interests span sociological and cultural issues, migration, urbanization, and environmental and health issues.
Minky Schlesinger
SKILLS & MENTORSHIP COMMITTEE
Minky is a Headwriter/Writer/Storyliner/Script Editor and Director known for her work on long-running drama series, documentaries, award-winning dramas. Her work has screened at international festivals, and she has taught and served as a juror on various film industry bodies.
Mmabatho Montsho
SISTERHOOD CINEMA and SKILLS & MENTORSHIP COMMITTEE
Mmabatho Montsho is a South African award-winning filmmaker, writer, and director with a career spanning over two decades. In addition to her filmmaking work, Montsho has produced and curated two film festivals in 2024: the Constitution Hill Human Rights Film Festival and the Basha Uhuru Visions of Freedom Film Festival - Student Edition. Since 2017, she has shared her expertise by teaching screenwriting and mentoring script development, empowering emerging voices. Montsho is a board member of the Documentary Filmmakers Association of South Africa; a committee member of the SWIFT Sisterhood Cinema and Skills Development Committees; and a member of the Writer’s Guild of South Africa’s Muse Awards 2024 Planning Committee. She was selected by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences as a juror for 2024, recognizing her expertise on a global stage. Montsho is dedicated to telling powerful African stories and promoting social justice through her work.
Operations Team
Lindi Ndebele-Koka
Acting Executive Officer
After many years in the Cultural and Creative industries including her role in government: playing a pivotal role in the South African film industry. Lindi has over 23 years’ experience of driving and implementing numerous industry initiatives, policies and strategies towards the development and promotion of the South African Film industry nationally and internationally.
Zanele Mthembu
Acting Programme Manager
Zanele is a broadcast and media executive and owner of Brown Panther Films an independent audio-visual company specialising in sports, arts, culture and music content. Zanele boasts over 25 years of experience in media and offers diverse expertise, gained through her work in local, regional, and international markets.
Noluthando Mnguni
Marketing and Communications Officer
With over 10 years in Marketing and Brand Communications, Noluthando is passionate about the dynamic landscape of her chosen career. She brings diverse experience from NPOs, Education, and corporate sectors.
Lerato Mathole
Administrator & Accounts
Lerato is an accomplished professional with over 15 years’ experience in Administration, Accounts, Operations and Recruitment. She is proficient in handling commercial operations, client and vendor billing & payments.