National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa (NFVF) Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

By Ogova Ondego
Published February 19, 2012

The National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa (NFVF) has appointed Zamantungwa Mkosi as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Mkosi, a lawyer with a long career in the media and entertainment industry, succeeds the long serving Eddie Mbalo at the helm of the government agency that handles audiovisual media matters in the Republic of South Africa. The flamboyant Mbalo, who was viewed by many as the embodiment of the NFVF, stepped down in March 2011.

A media release from the NFVF says its board of directors believes Mkosi’s ‘mixture of commercial, legal and media astuteness will carry the NFVF into a new era.’

The board chair, Mmabatho Ramagoshi, says,”We have followed Zama’s career closely and are pleased that such a well-rounded person with incredible intellectual and commercial rigour is our new CEO. We chose Zama based on proof of her effective leadership, excellent project management, sound interpersonal skills, prescient vision and strategic planning.”

During her five-year stint, as senior legal advisor to the media and motion pictures business unit at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Mkosi advised the IDC on the viability of its potential investments in the media and entertainment industries.

The IDC seconded her to Entertainment Law Group, a Los Angeles (USA)-based law firm where she conducted training;Â Entertainment Law Group specialises in the media and film industry in Hollywood and most of the United States. During this time she expanded her specialist knowledge working with various entertainment industry stakeholders, including studio executives, independent production houses, agents (literary and artist) as well as equity investors.

Mkosi also worked as the executive producer for Heartlines , a television series that addressed social issues in South Africa. She has had extensive training in Intellectual
Property Law, working in Geneva, The Hague, Stockholm and Harare at respective patent offices.

Mkosi has served on various media boards: the Film Resource Unit (an African film distribution organisation), AVEA (Audio Visual Training Institution), the Heartlines NGO and on the NFVF council (where she was the deputy chairperson).

Says Mkosi, whose appointment was announced on February 14, 2012, : “My legal experience coupled with my work as a producer in the film and television industry enables me to lead the NFVF into the future. I am keen to tackle the challenges facing the industry and harness the many opportunities present in the sector.”