THIS IS OUR STORY THIS IS OUR STORY
MESSAGE
FROM OUR FOUND
“Hi, my name is Ziyanda Bam! Thank you for taking the time to read through our profile.
Linah Productions is about igniting dreams, honing talent and opening doors for everyone! Our goal is to provide a platform for those passionate about the TV & filmmaking industry, regardless of their background. We aim to offer tools and resources to help them achieve their dreams right where they are!
There is a lot of talent out there waiting to be discovered, and we ’ re here to offer support. We firmly believe that someone shouldn’t be excluded due to financial constraints, lack of resources, limited opportunities, age or even their ethnicity.
If someone has the drive, passion and determination, they deserve the chance to tell their story, THEIR own way!
I hope you'll have the opportunity to witness Linah Productions and the diverse voices it represents.”
DISCOVER OUR STORY
What started in 2017 as a passion project, ‘ULwazi’, a 5-episode telenovela airing on Bay TV (Mpuma Kapa TV), featured a team of 3 actors: Sinalo Bam Dayile (wife), Mawande (Lwazi), and Kelebegile (Mistress).
It was filmed by a single crew member, Ndodana Pumba, a self-taught videographer and editor from Motherwell, Gqeberha, using one camera and DIY equipment built in his backyard.
This project sparked the beginning of a journey to unravel the talent in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan.
By the end of the season, the series had an astounding viewership of over 500,000 per episode and a team of 15 people ranging from the ages of 14 to 35 years with no prior acting or production experience.
We aim to reignite their passion and drive by providing tools, resources, and opportunities to help participants achieve their dreams
ABOUT US
WHO ARE WE?
Linah Productions is a registered NPO that’s committed to igniting dreams, honing talent and creating opportunities for the unemployed youth and people looking to get into the TV & film industry.
We acknowledge the immense talent in Nelson Mandela Bay, yet we recognize the numerous challenges faced by the youth, including unemployment, drug use, and limited opportunities, which may dim many people's aspirations.
WHY DOES OUR WORK MATTER?
Living in a province with a population of 7 2 million and an unemployment rate of 42.1%, with youth (ages 15-34) comprising 58.9% - 70.6%, can be challenging
This situation becomes even more difficult when there are insufficient opportunities for individuals passionate about TV and filmmaking
We aim to harness the incredible talent in Nelson Mandela Bay by providing training workshops, mentorship from experienced professionals, and real-life opportunities such as producing their own work or participating in ongoing productions.
These opportunities not only allow participants to pursue their passion but also provide a means to earn income.
WHAT IS PERFORMING ARTS (ACTING) WORKSHOPS
OUR IMPACT SOLUTION?
FILMMAKING TRAINING PROGRAMMES
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMMES
REALLIFE EXPERIENCES (PAID GIGS & PRODUCTIONS)
OUR IMPACT PROJECTS
ACTING WORKSHOPS
This programme is tailored for unemployed individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, aspiring to join the performing arts or acting industry, particularly those interested in on-camera work.
It aims to prepare participants for the ever-changing digital and performing arts scene. The programme blends practical elements of live and digital performance with a solid theoretical base in Acting, Camera Acting, Voice, Movement, and Physical Theatre.
THE FILMMAKER IN ME
The Filmmaker In Me is a six-week training programme focused on film and video production
It is designed to prepare individuals aspiring to create, produce, film, and edit projects in the TV and film industry
The programme covers both theoretical and practical aspects of operating cameras and editing software
It is ideal for young people from 18 - 35 years who are interested in producing short films, music videos, documentaries, corporate films, and other multimedia projects.
OUR AMBASSADORS
ACTING FEATURES
OUR AMBASSADORS
FILM PRODUCTION: ULWAZI
OUR AMBASSADORS
"I would like to say thank you so much to Linah Productions for the opportunities they bring to the hoods because they are moving us away from doing bad stuff.
I would also like to say thank you for changing my life because today people won't see me the way they used to because of television."
TANDOLWETHU TWANI 30 YEARS ABOUT ME
“I am 30 years old and I'm from Eastern Cape (Gqeberha) in Motherwell. I'm currently unemployed, just playing football, and I'm single.”
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE ONSET?
“It was an amazing feeling that I've never experienced before because this is what I've always prayed for: to be on national television and do what I love one day.
It was awesome because I got to meet the stars that I watch on TV face to face, and they were so sweet I enjoyed every part of it, and although the cameras made me nervous, in the end, everything was productive.”
WHAT COULD YOU DO BETTER NEXT TIME?
“I would like to be more confident and always keep in mind that this is my craft.”
OUR AMBASSADORS
MILANI
JIJANA
18 YEARS
ABOUT ME
“I grew up in a rural area in Ngqushwa, specifically Emazizini in Prudhoe location I am the first child of both my parents. Due to our circumstances, my parents moved to Gqeberha, specifically New Brighton I am currently in Grade 12 at Ithembelihle Technical High School.“
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE ONSET?
“My acting journey started last year in September 2023. I attended a workshop hosted by Linah Productions, led by Andile Nebza Nebulane and Pearl Noxolo Monama Oh, I learned a lot about acting in that workshop; I learned many things in just one day When I heard that I was chosen, I was so happy, extremely excited, but at the same time, I was so scared.
Since it was my first time on a set, I didn't have any experience, but now I am happy that I have experienced a lot of things on a set. I enjoyed performing, being instructed by my coach, reading the script I was given, and doing action scenes with other artists.”
"On my next gig, I would like to be more confident, trust myself, feel free with other artists, and not be shy in front of the cameras.
I would like to say to Linah Productions, thanks a lot for trusting me and for the opportunity to represent Linah Productions and to represent myself."
OUR AMBASSADORS
MZWANDILE MAKHUNGA
33 YEARS
ABOUT ME
"Hi, I'm Mzwandile Tiga Makhunga I was born and bred in PE and graduated from PE College in 2018.
I'm 33 years old, single, and living with my child and parents. Currently, I am not working.
I'm shy at first, but I'm also quite humorous and love to laugh. I coach and play rugby and cricket, which have shaped who I am today "
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE ONSET?
"To be honest, I was panicking at first until Nontle (Siziphiwe Maqubela) told me to relax, and it went well. I am still excited about it, as many people used to watch me playing rugby on TV, but now they will also see the other side of me. ��
The feeling of interacting with celebrities makes you feel like you are one of them, even if your role is just small... such a warm feeling."
OUR AMBASSADORS
"I would like to thank Linah Productions for such an opportunity and for believing in me as an upcoming actress.
I believe I have what it takes to be out there, with Linah Production’s support."
THANDOKAZI TWANI 26 YEARS
ABOUT ME
“My name is Thandokazi Judy Twani I was born and raised in Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha, in a location called Motherwell. I was born on May 14, 1998, and I am single.”
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE ONSET?
“When I received a message early in the morning that I got the role, I was very nervous and excited at the same time Remember, I was not prepared because I didn’t get the script on time I only got it on set on the day of the shoot.
So there was so much pressure, but that made me even stronger, and at that time, I felt special when I could do what others found difficult to do.
Everything felt real on set the mood, the seriousness, and working on a film shoot can be stressful, but it is also enjoyable if you do not take the work too seriously.”
OUR AMBASSADORS
NDODANA PHUBA
28
YEARS
Ndodana Phuba is a 28-year-old born and raised in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
He lives at home with his mother, sisters, and nieces and has one child. Ndodana dropped out of school in Grade 10 due to some learning difficulties. Despite this, he has always had a flair and talent for storytelling through film and video editing. He bought a small camera, created his own DIY sound, audio, lighting equipment, and uses his desktop to edit these videos.
Ndodana spends his time filming videos for upcoming artists using his equipment. While these videos are of high quality, they often do not gain much traction. To support his family, Ndodana has taken a part-time job as an assistant contractor, helping with the building of roads.
Ndodana is very talented and passionate about filmmaking. He would love to return to pursuing his passion but due to limited opportunities, he continues to wait for available part-time work. He has played a pivotal role in Linah Production’s first TV production, Ulwazi, as a camera operator, director and video editor. Ulwazi was filmed in 2015 with one camera, DIY equipment and aired on Bay TV channel 260
DEMOGRAPHICS
PREVIOUS WORKSHOP ATTENDEES: DEMOGRAPHICS
Age Group Geographic Location
OUR PREVIOUS SPONSORS
UPCOMING PROJECT BREAKDOWNS
ACTING BOOTCAMP
We would like to host a two-day weekend bootcamp where we'd have industry experts teaching our participants about performing arts. This will include body (physical activity), vocal training, theatre acting, acting for the camera, monologues, and many more.
TARGETED AGE GROUP: All ages are welcome to participate.
NECESSITIES FOR THE PROGRAMME
Accommodation for the weekend
Meals for the participants.
Transportation to and from the venue.
Facilitator's bootcamp service fee
Accommodation, transportation, and meals for workshop facilitators.
Workshop supplies and tools - stationary, activity props etc.
UPCOMING PROJECT BREAKDOWNS
FILMMAKER IN ME
We would like to start with a six-week training programme focused on film and video production. It will be designed to prepare individuals aspiring to create, produce, film, and edit projects in the TV and film industry. The programme covers both theoretical and practical aspects of operating cameras and editing software. It is ideal for those interested in producing short films, music videos, documentaries, corporate films, and other multimedia projects
TARGETED AGE GROUP: 18 - 35 Years (Youth)
NECESSITIES FOR THE PROGRAMME
5x Canon 90D cameras - R 24,999 each
5x Godox MS 300-D 3 x 300 watt Studio Lights Kit - R 12,995 00 each
5x MacBook Air 13-inch | 256GB - R 17 999
5x Olympus DM-720 Conference Briefcase Kit - R 14,709 each
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
We are looking for people who can lend a helping hand in changing people’s lives and turning their dreams into reality!
Currently, we are seeking opportunities from production companies that can provide real-life experiences. While we greatly value these opportunities, we would highly appreciate it if they could include some form of remuneration, as most of our ambassadors are unemployed.
We also require equipment for training people in our 'The Filmmaker in Me' workshop. This includes essential tools such as cameras, microphones, lighting, and laptops for video editing.
Lastly, although we have highly talented individuals for acting roles, they still require training from industry experts. We are looking to host more acting workshops and boot camps to help them succeed in the industry.
If you would like to get involved, please consider donating $5, $10, $50 or any amount you are comfortable with by clicking on the form: [CLICK HERE]or via our bank account:
Bank: CAPITEC BANK
Account number: 1746342011
Account name: Linah Productions
