For more than two decades, filmmaker and social activist Nceba Mqolomba has been proving that creativity is not just about culture, it is about business, jobs, and economic growth. Born in Uitenhage and raised in Mthatha, he has carried the stories of the Eastern Cape into South Africa’s mainstream entertainment industry while fighting to ensure that local voices are the ones telling them. “Our province is underserved, yet most of the stories come from here,” he reflects.
His career is a mirror of South Africa’s evolving creative economy. From producing reality TV staples like Khumbul’ekhaya and All You Need Is Love, to working on music videos for icons such as Ringo Madlingozi and Zonke, to staging cultural showcases like Joy of Jazz and Africa Day, Mqolomba has shown that storytelling can be both deeply personal and highly commercial. Each project, he says, is a reminder that passion and purpose must be matched with discipline, planning, and strong networks.
In an industry often mistaken for glamour, he insists on professionalism. “This is not a hobby. It is a commercial undertaking that can sustain us,” he explains. That philosophy has helped him navigate across genres television, music, film, and live events , always with the understanding that behind every production lies a value chain that fuels local economies.
Recognition has followed his work, though he argues that South Africa still undervalues awards compared to international markets. “Elsewhere, awards translate into value rising. In South Africa, we are still taken for granted,” he says. Yet his collaborations with global production houses on projects such as The Last King of Scotland and The Amazing Race have reaffirmed his belief that African stories have global appeal, if they are told authentically. “Who can best tell the story, except the people who experienced it and can tell it in their own language?”
This conviction underpins his work as founder of the Eastern Cape Film Festival. Beyond showcasing films, the festival has been a vehicle for unlocking local opportunities. Every production, Mqolomba argues, has ripple effects across catering, hospitality, transport, and security. His recent EC Skills 10 programme, which trained 250 emerging filmmakers and created 320 jobs, left behind a skilled base that will serve the province long after the credits rolled. “The long-term return on investment is the talent left in the province. This is about building a sustainable industry, not just one-off projects,” he says.
Partnerships are central to his vision. He calls on both government and business to recognise the creative sector as a driver of the economy. “Can you imagine a life with no music, no films, no theatre, no art? By supporting the creative sector, we grow the economy and society at the same time. It is a win-win.”
Looking ahead, Mqolomba envisions the Eastern Cape as a recognised hub for film and television by 2035, equipped with local studios, production houses, and a pipeline of professionals who no longer must leave home to build careers. “We wanted the Eastern Cape to be a film destination. Ten years later, that vision has been realised. Now we look to 2035, when the province will not only host productions but lead them.” For Nceba Mqolomba, the work is far from over. His journey shows that when creativity is treated as serious business, it can uplift communities, inspire nations, and build industries. The Eastern Cape’s stories are ready to be told , and under his vision, they will be told by those who live them.
