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TSELEMAJAHA: THE SKY IS THE LIMIT

07/04/2018 11:15:00 BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA

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Two weeks ago, Swazi born Ntobeko Tselemajaha Dlamini made Swaziland proud by being the first Swazi to win at the South African Film and Television Awards under the category Best Achievement in Cinematography for South African series known as Ring of Lies where he is employed as a cinematographer.

A golden opportunity flew by GCWALA when the man of the moment agreed to sit on an interview where we got to know him and what he is about.

WHO IS TSELEMAJAHA?
My full names are Ntobeko Mfundo Dlamini...Lekubutseka ngingu Tselemajaha. I was born in Mbabane on October 15 in 1978. My mother is Busisiwe Twana Mafu and she worked as a civil servant for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
My father is Mphikeleli Nehemiah Dlamini and he worked as an Electrician for the Swaziland Electricity Company.

My siblings are Mtholaphi Dlamini, Zbonele Dlamini, Sifiso Zwane, Duduzile Dlamini, Mangaliso Dlamini and Phendulile Dlamini. I started preschool at the Mbabane Government Crèche close to the Mbabane Government Hospital in 1983. I finished my preschool at the National Baptist Pre-School in 1984. In 1985 I then went on to do my Primary School at St Francis Primary School in Mbabane. In 1992 I started my Secondary schooling at St Francis High School.
In 1994 my mother was transferred to The Swaziland Consulate in Johannesburg, hence I finished my High school at Park Town Boys in 1997. In 1998 I went on to do Cambridge A-levels at Midrand Campus.

IF I WAS NOT A FILMER
I WOULD BE...
In 1998 I aspired to become an Advertising Practitioner. The advertising choice was hugely influenced by my brother, Mangaliso Dlamini, who is now the Creative Director of S’buko Sesive Creative Agency. At the time, Mangaliso was making waves in the South African advertising industry with his involvement in adverting campaigns for the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations,
The South African National Lottery and numerous award winning campaigns. In 1999, I was accepted at the newly opened Vega Advertising School in Johannesburg. I went to the Ministry of Education to apply for a Scholarship. At the Ministry, I dealt with this one lady who told me, government did not recognise the Vega School of Advertising.

She put the nail in the coffin when she told me there was no ways she would accept my application because I had dreadlocks at the time. She even went on to say next time I bring an application to her ‘Ngibokama la enhloko’ (comb my hair). As a result I sat at home for the whole of 1999.

ON ENTERING THE WORLD
OF FILMING
Sitting at home in 1999 gave me time to reflect and introspect; it also gave me time to watch movies. My favourite movie at the time was Malcolm X, directed by Spike Lee.
I really admired Malcolm X as a character so I watched the film over and over again and then I had a light bulb moment, I wanted to study film. From then on I watched more Spike Lee movies; I also started enjoying movies by Quentin Tarantino and Ridley Scott. One of the biggest influences in my life at the time was the music of Bob Marley, the music somewhat encouraged me not to give up on my dreams. To this day Bob Marley is still my favourite musician and when I need to lift up my spirit I listen to his music.

In the year 2000 I enrolled at the South African School of Motion Picture and Dramatic Arts-AFDA. I had no funds to pay for my tuition once again, but nonetheless I attended classes. Two months into my first year one of the owners of the school Deon Opperman, walked into the lecture hall during a lecture and he called me to his office. I walked into his office and without mincing his words he said “This is not a free restaurant, get the f**k out of my school”.
I left the school gates and went to deliver the news to my mother who couldn’t afford to pay for my school fees. I couldn’t go to the Swaziland Ministry of Education because the ministry did not provide scholarships for Film Studies.

So once again I found myself sitting at home. I used the time to apply for bursaries from South African Government institutions, The National Arts Council and The National Film and Video Foundation. At the end of the year I received good news from both institutions and they were both willing to fund my Film Studies. In 2003 I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Motion Picture Majoring in Cinematography.

At the beginning of 2004, I got a phone call from Garth Holmes one of the owners of AFDA Film School, he offered me a scholarship from the school to study for an Honours Degree.
During my Honours year I was nominated for Best Achievement in Cinematography at the AFDA awards. At the awards evening I was awarded the M-Net Best Student Award. I graduated in 2005, that same year I was offered a lecturing position at the school and I lectured first and second year students on Cinematography.

I lectured at AFDA for about six months and then my first professional job offer landed on my table. The offer was to work as Director of Photography of SABC 1’s Tsha Tsha season.
Over the years I’ve worked on numerous TV dramas, music videos, short films, TV adverts and documentaries. In 2013 I registered a film production company called Emakhosini Entertainment. Through Emakhosini I’ve partnered with my brother Mangaliso from S’buko Sesive Creative Agency on projects such as, the Documentary Film on the launch of The King Mswati III International Airport.

Over the past three years I’ve also had the opportunity to work on two seasons of an eTV drama called Gold Diggers under Urban Brew Studios. I started off as Director of Photography and in the second season I worked as both Director and Director of Photography. At this year’s SAFTA Awards Gold Diggers got two nominations for Best Achievement in Directing and Best Telenovela.

HOW HE GOT WORK FOR
RING OF LIES
I got to work on Ring of Lies because of my 13 year track record as a Cinematographer. I’ve also previously worked with the Ring of Lies Producers, Penguin Films on SABC’s Sokhulu and Partners Season 3. Sokhulu and Partners got a nomination for Best TV Drama at DSTV’s Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. So I have a really good relationship with the producers and they did not hesitate to call me in to be the Head of Department for Cinematography on Ring of Lies Season 2.

Working in the South African Film and Television Industry has been really amazing. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the best producers and directors in the country from whom I’ve learnt a great deal. I’ve also created some really meaningful relationships with some really inspiring fellow Swazi film makers and actors such as Sam Magagula, Fish Masuku, Tessa Twala and Lucky Khoza. On Ring of Lies I’m currently working with Black Panther Actress Connie Chiume. I’ve also worked with the likes of Mbongeni Ngema and Leleti Khumalo from Sarafina. The film industry is based on artistic talent and freshness so it challenges you to be always on your A game at all times. I’ve managed to keep myself really sharp through prayer, meditation and constantly watching good movies and TV dramas.

THE FEEL ON WINNING THE SAFTAs
I’ll refer this one to a compliment that I got from one of the Ring of Lies actors, Mangaliso Ngema. Mangaliso came up to me one day and said “Ring of Lies is the best looking show on South African TV at the moment.”
A few weeks before the SAFTA awards Darryl Fuchs one of the Directors on Ring of Lies came up to me and said “Have you prepared your acceptance speech?” and I said “I haven’t”.

In response he said “Well, you better write that speech because that award is yours. A few days before the awards I was stressing about what to wear for the ceremony. Then I had a dream, in the dream I was being dressed (ngivunuliswa). The one thing that stood out in the dream was that ngangivunuliswa umdada. In the dream a voice said “sifuna usivunelele umdada kulomcimbi loya kuwo” (we want that traditional regalia), hence I wore umdada for the awards ceremony. Coincidentally, this year Emabutfo will also be dressed in umdada for the 50/50 celebrations.

SAFTAS are judged by hundreds of judges nationwide and all of them thought I deserved the award. This award is a first for Swaziland and I was the first Swazi to be a recipient, hence I couldn’t refuse the honour yekuvunula umdada for such an occasion. The day I dreamt ngivunula umdada is the day I knew I had won the award before the actual Awards ceremony. So to answer many people’s question, YES I DESERVED TO WIN THE AWARD!!!
Winning the award has been a huge career boost and yes I’m being received differently. At the awards ceremony I was approached by many Producers and Directors and I’ve established new strategic relationships. Being the first Black person to win in the category has also been a historic. This year’s SAFTAS were quite significant as three other Black Cinematographers won in the TV drama and Comedy categories.

ASPIRATIONS
My aspirations and dreams are a secret between me and God, all I can say is the sky is the limit. My dreams are definitely part and parcel of His Majesty King Mswati III’s dream of Swaziland reaching first world status by the year 2022.
It is my dream is to one day see a fully fledged film and entertainment industry in Swaziland in this lifetime. I also hope this SAFTA win will also encourage young Swazis to dream big and reach for the stars. There is nothing stopping us from winning at the Academy Awards in the Foreign Film Category. I believe the whole world will soon be echoing ‘Incaba kaNcofula’ as Swazis continue winning on the global stage. SIYINQABA!!!