Hello, Sawubona!
Nontobeko Yamantungwa Sibisi is an award-winning creative storyteller and broadcaster passionate about documenting and archiving arts, culture, history, heritage, and indigenous knowledge narratives in re-imagined ways. Her storytelling has energy work that carries intimacy, intention, and impact.
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Nontobeko Sibisi has been among the talented artists & audio-visual storytellers selected for The 15th Edition of Talents Berlinale Durban, A Berlin International Film Festival Initiative, part of 6 Berlinale Talents across the globe.
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She stands amongst a cohort of 14 Sub-Saharan storytellers on a DW Akademie Fellowship, an initiative by International German Broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW). Here, Nontobeko is focusing on resonating narratives shared by indigenous African communities.
Nontobeko Yamantungwa Sibisi
Nontobeko Sibisi has extensive experience in broadcast TV - conceptualizing, producing, directing, and scripting content for local and international audiences. She has recently merged her passion together with her innate curiosity and versatile skill set to bring about her brainchild, Okay Sho! Media. A creative media production & virtual solutions company specializing in storytelling & building connected virtual communities. Her work has been scheduled on various platforms such as Mzansi Magic, SABC TV & Radio, Kaya FM, The Mail & Guardian, eNCA/ETV, City Press, Standard Bank Arts, The National Arts Festival, DSTV Moja Love Channels, and BET Africa.
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Making Nontobeko a unique triple threat in her versatility is her passionate and engaging on-screen presence. Nontobeko plays a featured character called ‘Sheila’ alongside Zodwa (Sannah Mchunu) on Mzansi Magic’s much-loved show GOMORA. Before that, she was for years a prime-time TV Talk Show Host on Moja Love’s ‘Show Me Love’ alongside fellow panelists KG Moeketsi, Unathi Nkayi, and Abigail Visagi. Some might remember Nontobeko’s vivacious energy as an innovative and award-winning art and music TV journalist, where she advocated for cultural and artistic diversity on and off the screen. In 2016 one of her works was removed off-air after wearing a cultural head wrap / doek on a western news channel. Her advocacy on the matter inspired a viral cultural revolution in workplaces and artistic avenues, galvanizing many to dawn doeks using #RespekTheDoek #DoekForNonto #DoekTheNewsroom. As a result, cultural diversity and inclusivity policy changes took effect in organizations seeing the need to progressively adapt to Africa's evolving rich cultural context.
The Rhodes University Alumna kicked off her professional career working for SABC TV & Radio after she was scouted in her final year. Her extramural dedication to media whilst at university saw her scoop numerous local and international awards, scholarships, and commendations from leading institutions, developmental programs and broadcasters. These include a SABC News & Current Affairs Award, a National Arts Journalism Award - Awarded Gold for Broadcast Journalism, an International Siemens Profile Science & Technology Award (Doha), and a special commendation for excellence in Science and Technology journalism. Over a decade later, Nontobeko Sibisi still enjoys storytelling and meaningful community - mainly rooted and connected conversations. She's had the pleasure of sharing the small screen interviewing some of the world’s most loved artists including - The Legendary Dorothy Masuka, Bra Hugh Masekela, Vusi Mahlasela, Ms. Angie Stone, The Manhattans, Ms. Regina Belle, Jonas Ngwangwa, Rebecca Malope, Siya Makhuzeni, Zoë Modiga, Nomfundo Xaluva, Spha Mdlalose, Thandiswa Mazwai, Thandi Ntuli, Lupita Nyong'o , Drake, Kevin Hart, Seal, Bonang Matheba, DJ Black Coffee, George Benson, Ladysmith Black Mambazo & many more.
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Nontobeko Sibisi is an explorer at heart, her big loves include the arts, the garden, taking road trips, being in nature, and enjoying music festivals. Not so long ago, she embarked on a solo voyage across East Africa. Traveling thousands of kilometers from Johannesburg - Lilongwe - Nairobi - Mombasa - Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Collecting memories and learning invaluable lessons on the power of vulnerability and resonance. Nontobeko is a member of the Documentary Filmmakers Association (DFA) as well as The Independent Producers Organisation (IPO) currently honing her skills in documentary filmmaking - producing, scripting & directing.
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Sibonge!
Nontobeko Yamantungwa.
Contact Nontobeko Yamantungwa Sibisi
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
+27 82 265 3517‬ (WhatsApp Line)