TOP LIST: 10 Most Powerful Women In Film & Television

The month of March, known as international women's month in honor of international women's day that falls on the 8th, is sadly coming to an end. To usher out this legendary period that celebrates the amazing female figure, I have compiled this post that highlights the industry's top figures and ranks the most powerful women in film and television globally; executives, reps, producers, showrunners and stars — all who make an impact in the industry.

Dubbed the "Queen of All Media", Oprah Winfrey is ranked the richest African-American of the 20th century, the greatest black philanthropist in American history, and is currently North America's first and only multi-billionaire black person. She was the first black female pioneer of daytime television and paved way for many people of color in the media industry. As little girls we all grew up looking up to her and dreamt of one day becoming versions of Oprah. She currently owns her "OWN" network and continues to be a great influence in the global TV sector.

Shonda Rhimes is a television producer and writer. She is the creator, head writer, executive producer and showrunner of some of the most loved TV shows in America and internationally, including the medical drama series "Grey's Anatomy", it's spin-off "Private Practice", the political thriller series "Scandal", "How To Get Away With Murder" and the new show "The Catch". Rhimes is co-founder of her production company Shondaland. She is one of the most admired TV producers in the world is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Cheryl Boone Isaacs is an American film marketing and public relations executive. She has represented the Public Relations Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), known for its annual Academy Awards (Oscars), on the AMPAS Board of Governors for 21 years. On July 30, 2013 she was elected as the 35th president of AMPAS. Boone Isaacs is the first African American to hold this office, and the third woman after Bette Davis and Fay Kanin.

Debra Lee is an American businesswoman. She is currently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BET, the parent company of Black Entertainment Television. The mother of two, has sat on the board of directors for a number of companies/organizations, including the National Cable & Telecommunications association the Ad Council, and the National Cable Television Association. Debra Lee was named one of the "100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment" by The Hollywood Reporter due to her many achievements in her 25-plus year career at BET, and we will forever love her even more.

Genevieve Hofmeyer is one of South Africa's most respected and sought after producers. She is the co-founder and Managing Director at Moonlighting Films, the best film production company in Africa. She has worked on numerous great productions locally and internationally; and she is mostly known for her amazing work on South African/international co-productions such as "Avengers: Age Of Ultron", "Invictus", "Safe House", "Mad Max: Fury Road", "Eye in the Sky" and many more. She has taken up roles as Executive Producer, Line Producer, Production Manager, and Supervising Producer; making her very powerful in the industry indeed.

Chioma Ude is the founder and executive director of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and an ardent film lover. She produced the 2008 Africa Movie Academy Awards and the institution of a brainchild of hers called the AMAA Charity Benefit evoked an intense passion in her for the film industry. She enjoys fund-raising for filmmakers and has produced premieres for some of the best films in Nigeria, an art that has set her on the right path for her role as founder of AFRICA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (AFRIFF). The 5 day event features several activities that included workshops, screenings, film premiere, awards night & a fashion show. Chioma is highly respected by many in the African film industry and has a big influence in the Nigerian circles.

Kathryn Bigalow is an American film writer and director. Her films include "Near Dark", "Point Break", "Strange Days", "The Weight of Water", "K-19: The Widowmaker", the war film "The Hurt Locker", action thriller war film "Zero Dark Thirty", and the short film Last Days of Ivory. "The Hurt Locker" won the 2009 Academy Award for Best Picture, BAFTA Award for Best Film ; and was nominated for the 2009 Golden Globe Award for Best Drama. Bigelow became the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director, the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing, the BAFTA Award for Best Direction, and the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Director. In April 2010, she was named on the Time 100 list of most influential people of the year and continues to thrive successfully in the industry.

Bonang Matheba is a South African television host, radio personality and business woman. She is most recognized for having presented the popular SABC 1 music show Live Amp, previously known as "Live", and SABC 3's Top Billing. She currently is a presenter on magazine show "Afternoon Express" and is also a radio host presenting the show "The Front Row" on SABC 's radio station Metro FM. Her success in the TV industry at a young age has made her a very admirable and influential figure among the youth. She has broken a number of records such as being the first African personality to be face of global beauty brand, Revlon, as well as getting her very own insert on E! The Queen B has consistently climbed the ladder of success and even after all that she has achieved, we look forward to see do more.

Sara Blecher is a co-founder of CINGA, a South African-based production company that has made a number of award-winning features, documentaries and drama series. An honors graduate of NYU, Blecher has directed some outstanding and noteworthy films including "Bay of Plenty", "Surfing Soweto", "Otelo Burning", "Ayanda", and "Dis Ek, Anna". She recently walked away with a Golden Horn Award for Best Achievement in Directing in a Feature Film at the SAFTAs and has won several festival awards for her films. She is by far the best female director in the continent at the moment.

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In 2009 Helen Kuun left the corporate world and started Indigenous Film Distribution, a company that focuses on South African and African content; helping the continent’s filmmakers to get their movies watched on a variety of platforms, including cinemas, DVD and television. Indigenous Film Production is one of the best distribution companies in Africa and it came at a time when it was clear that there was a growing need for a film distributor that could tap into Africa's growing industry and new potential. Helen is currently one of the most powerful women, not only in the distribution sector, but the industry as a whole.

TV REVIEW: Umlilo S03E02

Last week's episode ended off with Mnqobi staggering through the corridors at Palesa Thlali's work place, drunkenly inviting her for a drink. I expressed my surprise by this because they had just met and she seemed like a strictly professional person for a client (yes, even Mnqobi) to think of ever paying her a social visit in that state of sobriety. This week we start off the episode with Mnqobi continuing with his drinking spree, this time in a more appropriate place with a more appropriate person (a friend of his whom he narrates his embarrassing encounter with Palesa to). However, this is really just the least exciting scene in this week's episode; and believe me, things do get heated!

See a recap of episode 1 here.

Thembi gets involved in her first fight in jail, and it is not pretty at all. One of the inmates provokes a snake laying quietly in its hole when she comes and hustles Thembi. The two argue for a while and it was when Nancy threw the first punch that gates really opened up for Nomzamo's character. She throws back one defensive jab and what followed after that was like a reign of terror over that poor girl who really never saw it coming. Thembi smashes her head on the metal bed stands and bashes her face with closed fists until she was a total mess, covered in blood and most probably unrecognizable. It was a shock and a thrill to watch Thembi in her physically strongest yet, and while we have known her to be prime evil, let's all admit how we didn't quite think that she had this much in her. She pulled Nancy apart like she was beating up an animal, with absolutely no remorse or hesitation at all. It is almost like she had been in worse situations and done worse before. Watching that scene, we wouldn't put it past her. However, you will remember that last week I did say that I thought she was now more of herself than she ever was playing Khwezi. And I mentioned that I saw Thembi as more of a hood girl than the suburban snob that Khwezi was.

When Vuyo Vilakazi comes back to see Thembi in jail, he agrees to take up her case. Even after much deliberation, I highly doubt that he truly knows what he is getting himself into. Thembi tells him that she needs for him to believe her as his lawyer, but we can see that he is still in a bit of doubt. It is only after Thembi tells him about how it was Mnqobi who shot Dumile and not her that Vuyo's confidence picks. He cannot wait to delve into the case and prove this theory right to everyone, setting his client off the charge (but like I said, he doesn't know what he is in for).

When Mnqobi pays a visit to Palesa to sign some documents for the case against Thembi, Palesa handles the situation very professionally even after last week's incident. She doesn't bring it up at all or act any awkward. But Mnqobi still manages to feel judged. That is when we see Palesa pretty much sympathizing with him. For the first time, we see a much softer side of her, which really lingered throughout this whole episode. When Mnqobi tells her about his financial struggles she is quick to assist with a contact for a work contract. At that very moment, I start questioning things about this situation because when we met Palesa last week she didn't strike me as one to get emotionally involved in a clients' business, especially with personal issues. Could she be more softer than we thought or is Mnqobi's charm that strong?

Mnqobi pays a visit to Dumile in hospital. I am not quite sure why he still does this when she has made it clear that she is pretty much leaving him for Spikiri. Does he feel guilty for shooting her or is he keeping an eye on her not to tell the police the real story about who shot her? As usual Dumile acts very hostile towards him and chases him out of the room. But during their verbal argument, Andile who is waiting outside with Phindile and barges in to break up the fight, is able to pick up that Mnqobi shot Dumile.

Andile then goes to visit Thembi in jail to ask for help in changing her surname in attempt to distance herself from the Simelanes (yes, now we know why she goes by "Bhengu" at school). In my previous review, I mentioned that Andile's character seems to be maturing this season with a much stronger storyline. But is she mature enough for the road she seems to be rushing onto; changing her identity illegally, scheming up with Thembi, pretending to be in good terms with Dumile when she is really working to defy the family. I have a feeling that this might all catch up with her soon and she will find herself in a tight corner that she might not know how to escape. As Thembi gives her a contact for a person that will assist her with changing her identity and where to find him, Andile takes notes like a school girl. It almost seems like Thembi is in training with her young protégé, polluting Andile's naïve little mind to become like what she is.

Mnqobi is at his lowest and darkest point of his career and financial life. He is so desperate, he is willing to do anything. I guess that is why he goes to see TK for a loan request. Just like I probably would, TK laughs at his face for this. You will remember that Mnqobi betrayed TK who was his business partner in season 2 and almost got him arrested. Mnqobi is then "forced" to take up an offer from his cousin to smuggle Rhino Horns to Zimbabwe in his truck while transporting food for the new client that he got through Palesa. My guess is that this is not only his path to financial freedom but Mnqobi could be turning back to exactly how he was in the past - right back to square one - with his wishes to change and do things legally this time going right down the drain.

Andile barges into her lecturer's office to question the low mark he gave to her for her assignment, only to walk away with a coffee date. I'll admit that when the storyline about how Andile would date her lecturer was revealed to us, I didn't think it would happen so soon into the season or so awkwardly either. Andile was just there as an ordinary student looking for her mark to be adjusted, and it was only their second encounter yet so unusually, Mr. Ntuli just said he wouldn't alter her mark but would like to take her out for coffee. Just like that? Really??? What shocked even more was that Andile said she would think about it! If my lecturer asked me for a date in that manner, I think I would be too shocked to even act mature about it. I would probably rush out of there like a 10 year old, not knowing what to say at all. But that's just me being me.

After doing his research and confronting everyone that Thembi knew with his theory of Mnqobi shooting Dumile, Vuyo comes back with even more doubts and expresses this to a Thembi who doesn't take too well to it. She wants him to believe her, but he doesn't believe her. She is hurt and angered by this, and chases him out; firing him as her lawyer. For the first time we see her get in touch with her emotions. She cries hysterically over this and it could have really hurt her feelings. But why is Thembi so desperate for someone to believe her? Is it because no one ever has and she yearns for that feeling of having someone believe her or is it just one of the manipulative tactics. Vuyo won't leave when Thembi tells him to, but instead changes his statement, telling him that he believes her (make up your mind Vuyo, do you believe her or nah?). When Thembi gets closer to Vuyo and pretty much seduces him, leaving us with an intimate cliff hanger; we are immediately reminded of her twisted ways and how we can never believe her display of emotions to ever be sincere.

What are your thoughts? Comment below or tweet me @NoncedoDlamini

[REPOST] FEATURE: Creating a Sustainable Film and TV Industry in Swaziland

I posted this article some weeks ago, but I just felt that it is an interesting read and I would love to share it with my new readers; so I decided to repost it.

The motion picture industry is a multi-billion-dollar business with significant profit revenue and global influence. It is a vehicle for culture and a major driver of economic growth, contributing billions to the world’s economy. Developed countries have recognized film and television industries as vital economic sectors for years now and have worked to develop sustainable and profitable local motion picture industries for themselves. Industries that have contributed to GDP and gave them status power globally. Creative industries in the US added $698 Billion to the US economy by the beginning of 2015 while British creative industries contributed £84.1bn to the UK economy as at January 2016.

Swaziland's film and television industry has had to deal with the complex challenge of creating a sustainable local film and television sector industry for all Swazis. Although the industry has had various discussions from all major stakeholders about the necessary action that needs to be taken, nothing tangible has really been achieved and the need for further transformation and development in the industry remains. So, how do we really create a local industry that is culturally relevant, self-sustainable, globally competitive and able to contribute significantly to the gross domestic product of the country and continental region?

Like any other industry, there are certain key elements that have to be implemented to ensure the success of the film and TV sector. As a matter of fact, it is evident that all sectors of the industry have an integral role to play to build a sustainable local film and television industry. First of all, the industry needs willing and able active participants that will directly work as part of the film and TV sector. These are creative and business minded individuals that make up the labour market of the industry. They work in different fields as filmmakers and TV professionals, whether creatively or corporately. I don't just mean writers, director and producers; but designers, marketers, distributors and many more as well. We have seen a number of these people currently present in the country, mostly working independently and freelance. This tells us that there is definitely a huge interest in the industry and a secure market for it.

We then need training and skills development for the labour market. For any industry to run effectively and efficiently, there are certain professional skills and standards that must be acquired and maintained, and that is what education and training programs provide. Swaziland currently only has one institution that provides training in film and television, while the rest of the population is left to either enrol in schools outside the country or do on the job training. Even so, this one university does not, and cannot cater for the entire industry on its own. We still don't have proper acting or costume design and make for film & TV courses in the country. The Ministry of Education together with the various training institutions need to start providing more platforms for people looking to get qualified in film and television.

Capacity, as we know, is vital for any industry to develop and become sustainable. Capacity is determined by resources, of which financial capital is a major factor. No business or industry is capable of running on a negative balance, and yet the film industry in Swaziland is expected to do so on a daily basis. There is currently no financial investment being injected into the industry and the government as well as financial institutions in the country seem reluctant to realise that the industry is a professional sector that could potentially become a major contributor to the economy. Filmmakers are forced to constantly deep into their own pockets while other industries such as Agriculture, Science, Business and Health are financially supported each and everyday. There needs to be government grants, bank loans, private instituted funds...there needs to be proper investment in order for the sector to function properly.

The industry needs to be protected and regulated by law. At the present moment, the film industry in Swaziland is running on freelance mode and no one is taking responsibility for its operations. Yes, it has been placed under the ICT ministry and there various associations formed with intent to help develop the industry and look after filmmakers' interests, but we haven't really seen much effectiveness. Where is the copyright bill? What are the terms and regulations of content distribution? What are the requirements of working on an international collaboration? What about payment and salaries of workers in the industry, who determines that? It is clear that the law in Swaziland is not created to run a sustainable film industry and there are major loopholes that still need to be addressed.

Lastly we need a secure consumer market. Entertainment has been a huge demand for a lot of individuals and households for many years. Majority people in the country, especially in the sub-urban and urban areas, spend a significant amount of their income on entertainment. So there is absolutely no doubt that the market exists. However, due to lack of local content, that revenue has mostly gone out to foreign businesses. Motion picture is a huge vehicle for culture and a major medium for information distribution. Therefore, there is no doubt that Swaziland has a significant and secure consumer market for film and TV. Local filmmakers must create quality local content and understand the needs and wants of the broader Swazi audiences.

The American industry supports 1.9 million American workers every single day – writers, costume designers, make-up artists, stuntmen, set designers, lighting technicians, as well as the  people who collect tickets and sell popcorn at local cinemas. A well built film industry comes with a lot of opportunities; from the creation of  jobs to increased gross domestic product and global influence. However, it also requires a contribution from all economic sectors of the country. The business & financial sector, the law sector, the education sector, as well as the creative media & technology sector all need to work together to ensure the creation of a relevant, sustainable, competitive and profitable film and TV industry.