Thokoza’s television director scoops Safta
Local content producer and television director Linda Radebe (31) from Thokoza was recently recognised by the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas).
Radebe scooped the Safta Youth Achiever Award for his role in the film and television industry.
He is known for his role in directing and vision-mixing four seasons of a TV show called Identity on SABC 1. He was a camera operator for a TV show titled I Am A Work of Art on SABC 3 and Yearning for God on SABC 3 documentary.
He said he did not know he was a contender for the award until he was requested to deliver a speech virtually, but at the time thought it was just a nomination.
“When I got that call from my number one motivator, the mother of my son Andiswa Thwala to tell me I just won a Safta, I went online and saw a retweet from MultiChoice confirming my win,” said Radebe.
“I did not know how to feel, the first thing that came to mind was to pray and thank the Lord. It has been a bumpy ride,” he added.
“At some point that day, I received news about the death of my father while I was on set but had to keep the ball rolling till the end of the day.”
He explained that it took a lot of hard work and sacrifices as he had to skip family funerals and ceremonies as well as his birthdays to keep up with the game.
At some point, he had to sleep at Johannesburg Park Station as there were no taxis to take him back home.
“This one time I slept at Germiston station with my friend Sphamandla Dludlu because we worked till late. He is now an actor on The River,” he explained.
Although it was not easy for him, his love for the craft pushed him.
“Winning the award after 11 years in the game meant a new coming-of-age era and turning 31 in October is a sign of graduation from being a worker to owning my work.
“I still do not believe it. Even on days when the award sits there and with my 19-month-old son Lizwi Thwala touching it every chance he gets.
“I deserved it and I hope it will be an inspiration to children in South Africa raised by domestic workers like my mom, SisKhosi,” said Radebe.
Other involvements in film and TV
This is not the first time his work has been recognised. He was the content producer and director of Safta-winning youth show Mikasi Su Kasi.
Radebe is known for his work behind the scenes but also does on-screen work. He starred in several theatre shows, like Xenophobia, Teenage Pregnancy and Living Rock.
In 2009 he played a lead role in Kasi Dream. He later featured on a German TV commercial by Navigator Films.
He noted that one of the most honourable moments in his life was when he acted in a play called The Coat by Athol Fugard, directed by Dorothy Ann Gould.
Radebe also appeared in several international films such as Queen of Katwe and also the series Liberty.
He has been involved as a content researcher for Brothers for Life PSA and a production coordinator for a dance show on SABC 1 called StreetCred.
Plans for his career
In 2019 he initiated his production company called @Mzukulu Ka Masesi Entertainment Ark (MKMEA) and what he described as the first-ever online vision channel called SA Emerging Talent.
MKMEA shot its first film, Umemulo, followed by online TV show I am Dakar Magazine and a documentary called I’skhathi Se’Artist.
He is building his own company called 3rd Generation Media.
They have a feature film in development and will be shooting a documentary called Finding A Friend in and around Kathorus.
“We are trying to stay in our lane as a production company and pride ourselves in telling our own stories.
“Should the industry open doors for us, I hope to make enough money to take my son and his mother to Disneyland and travel the world. But first, let me put in the work,” he said.
