Inspired by true events, The Ward Councilor takes audiences on a journey into the events of the fall and death of protagonist politician John Phakhathi, the ward councilor who wants to sit for a second term.
The announcement by his mentor and old acquaintance, General Stanley Nkabinde, to run as a candidate as well for the same position of ward councilor sees Phakathi on a dark quest of acquiring more power for a second term.
The councilor is drawn into a relationship with Dubulamanzi, his witchdoctor, who forces him to believe that things are wrong in his life because his ancestors have turned their backs on him. Persuaded into a journey to the dark side, the boundaries between African beliefs and reality become indistinct as he begins to live in a gradual state of greed, dominated by his desire for power and leadership and motivated by his loss of support in the community.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Writer: Nyalungu Promise
Director: Nefale Pfano
Sound: Morifi Malapi
D.O.P: Mulweli Mudau
Featuring artists from the Struu Artzz Incubator
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
PROMISE NYALUNGU: WRITER
Promise Nyalungu is an entrepreneur, actor, writer, researcher, and art activist who holds a BA Degree in International Relations from the University of Venda, South Africa and a Certificate in International Business Administration and Leadership from Baden- Württemberg Cooperative State University, Germany. Promise is one of the 40 students selected to participate in the Next Generation Leaders Program organized by the Talloires Network of Universities and will be participating at the Global Leaders Conference (TNLC2021) hosted by Tufts University and Harvard University. He enjoys managing different rural and township development projects.
‘I want to train young creatives in media, graphic design and other creative information technology fields while helping them make a living, notwithstanding the pandemic’ Promise Nyalungu.
He has been writing professionally since 2014 and has written 2 professional theatre plays which were showcased at the 2016 National Arts Festival. Promise was announced as the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Intervarsity Competition winner in the Existing Business with a Social Impact Category as well as being
awarded as the South African Student Entrepreneur of the year 2020 for Founding Struu Artzz Entertainment, a Media and Entertainment Company that focuses on giving opportunities to rural and township-based creatives.
Promise is part of the Cultural Producers Programme (CPP) presented by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), Common Purpose South Africa (CPSA) and Manchester International Festival (MIF), supported by the British Council Creative Economy Programme.
MALAPI MORIFI: SOUND DIRECTOR
Malapi Kwena Morifi is an entrepreneur, art extraordinaire through acting, dance and poetry collectively as performance arts. He is also an exceptional content curator and creator, creative writer and communications practitioner. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Media Studies from the University of Venda, South Africa and a Certificate of participation in the Student Entrepreneurship Program facilitated by the Leuphana University in Germany through Linkages, Partnerships and Internationalisation at the University. He has been an artist professionally since 2016 and has assisted in the editing and writing of 4 professional theatre plays which were showcased at the 2016 and 2019 National Arts Festival.
Through his creative writing, he has written numerous articles for the university of Venda through the office of Linkages, partnerships and internationalisation University of Venda since 2019, as well as assisting in the creation and facilitation of programs that promote social cohesion between international and local students which also incorporates the learning of diverse cultures between the two groups. Since 2016, Malapi has been working on developing audiences for ICT and the Cultural and Creative Industries in Limpopo, South Africa. After founding Struu Artzz Entertainment, Malapi spent three years as an assistant director and coordinator for University of Venda drama club and the University of Venda Arts society. After a successful career as a Performer and creative, Malapi now helps with facilitating business linkages between student business organization in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs), as well as creating a platform for aspiring creatives in the media and communications industry with his high level of expertise in the media industry and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the corporate world, through his newly established digital platform Woke Culture. Woke Culture aims to implement an innovative and inclusive digital platform which will promote diversity, entrepreneurship and talent. Malapi enjoys trying new methods of using
technology to improve the arts and managing different development projects. And formulating new ways of communication for a better establishment of the craft.
PFANO NEFALE: ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Pfano Nefale is an entrepreneur, actor, writer, content creator and art activist, currently doing the final year in Bachelor of science in Recreation and Leisure studies at the University of Venda, South Africa. Nefale is a professional playwright and has written 2 professional theatre plays which were showcased at the 2019 National Arts Festival. Pfano has been part of Thulamela Arts Culture doing drama since 2012. and has also been in workshops with the likes of McDonald Ndou “KK” together with Hebron Sigwavhulimu. In 2018 he got a Radio drama contract with PHALAPHALA FM. In 2019 he started his own travel and tourism company, Exhibit Tourism and Recreation Agency. This was influenced by a school project proposed to the Centre of Recreation, Biokinetics and Sports Science. Pfano
spent two terms as a director and writer for University of Venda drama club and University of Venda Arts society.
After a successful career as a director and creative, Pfano now helps in developing other Creatives on a project called ACT Incubator with Struu Artzz Entertainment. Struu Artzz entertainment aims to develop all creatives and artists and inclusive of those in digital platform which will promote diversity, entrepreneurship and talent. Pfano is willing to try new methods of using technology to improve the recreation, arts and managing different development projects.
MULWELI MUDAU: DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Mulweli Mudau is a creative genius, programmer, photographer, and entrepreneur from Thohoyandou, Limpopo, South Africa. Mulweli Mudau is BCOM in Information Technology student at the University of Venda, South Africa and was awarded a certificate of participation in the student entrepreneurship program facilitated by the Leuphana university in Germany through partnership and internationalization by the universities. He has made numerous contributions to the development and art (Photography and visual art) since 2015 directing artists and musicians with the likes of Mass the Difference (a University of Venda Alumni). Mulweli has been tutoring creatives to understand the importance of creating meaningful content and the importance of information systems in art and recreation for the people residing in Limpopo. Before joining Struu Artzz Entertainment, Mulweli has been working as Freelance Photographer operating under a business called World of Abstract. The main objective of World of Abstract is to give the best quality product in the creative space, which formally deals with creative photography, and music videos.
THE ACT INCUBATOR CLASS OF 2022
PERFORMERS
Our Artist Creatives and Tech Incubator (ACT-Incubator) is a seasonal gathering of rural and township performers to share ideas and create an amazing theatre/ film/ documentary project this is also a place for growth and learning. A space by creatives for creatives.