Zamantungwa (Zama) Mkosi was today appointed the CEO of the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa (NFVF). Mkosi, an admitted high court attorney, has a long and illustrious career in the media and entertainment industry, and her mixture of commercial, legal and media astuteness will carry the NFVF into a new era.
"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," said Chairman of the NFVF Council, Mmabatho Ramagoshi. Ramagoshi said that the NFVF chose Mkosi, based on proof of her effective leadership, excellent project management, sound interpersonal skills, prescient vision and strategic planning.
"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 South African film and television industry," said Mkosi.
Mkosi, worked as the senior legal advisor to the media and motion pictures business unit at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). During her five year stint, she advised the IDC on the viability of its potential investments in the media and entertainment industries.
She was seconded by the IDC to train with a law firm called Entertainment Law Group in Los Angeles, which 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.
She was thus listed by the Hollywood Reporter as one of the "most influential young women in the media in Africa."
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, Hague, Stockholm and Harare at respective patent offices.
Mkosi has served on various media boards: Film Resource Unit (an African film distribution organisation), AVEA (Audio Visual Training Institution),Heartlines and on the NFVF Council (where she was the deputy chairperson).
