AFDA alumnus Mandla N reaps rewards at SAFTAs

AFDA alumnus and founder of Black Brain Pictures Mandla N’s contribution to the South African entertainment industry is paying off big time. Mzanzi Magic’s “DiepCity” produced by Black Brain Pictures and directed by Mandla N had a great run at the SAFTAs winning the Best achievement in directing telenovela award, Best Telenovela award, Most Popular Telenovela award as well as the Best Achievement in Make-Up & Hairstyling, TV Soap/Telenovela and Best Achievement in Art Direction, TV Soap/Telenovela.

Mandla N and Black Brain also picked up the Best Made For TV Movie award for the film “Boxing Day”

Black Brain Pictures, founded by Mandla N in 2004 after graduating from AFDA has now won over 30 Golden Horn awards at the SAFTAs.

Black Brain have produced a number of television shows which include “Abo Mzala”, “Thandeka’s Diary”, “City Sis Las”, “Ses Top La”, “Lockdown”, “DiepCity” “Side Dish” and “The Black Door”.

Mandla N is also known for starring as Themba Khumalo in the SABC sitcom “City Ses’la” and its spinoff series “Ses’Top La” as well as being a member of the band Gang of Instrumentals. 

In an interview with Drum earlier this year Mandla N gave some great advice to young creatives entering the entertainment industry. “When I look at how far I have come, I also want to encourage the young creatives that want to break into the industry or that are still starting out. Your dreams are valid, they are not too farfetched. In life the more you learn, the more you realise how little you know, so as you get into the industry, start now and never stop learning because that is what will sustain you going forward,”.