Africa has always had a strong tradition of storytelling, but today stories need to harness the power of all types of media, both traditional and digital, to reach and connect with every type of audience. The talented South African media entrepreneur, BusaBuntu Roaring, founder of BusaBuntu Pictures, knows and understands this dynamic all too well and is leveraging her extensive knowledge and experience of all aspects of the media to tell powerful stories that resonate.
LoA met with the inspirational BusaBuntu this month to find out more about this passionate storyteller and her vision for her company.
What does your company do?
BusaBuntu Pictures (Pty) Ltd. is a London and Jozi based media company that aims to share the African perspective through diverse, disruptive and innovative storytelling models. We develop our content through the mediums of film, television and theatre to produce high-quality material at an affordable cost. We also have a special interest in youth-driven projects, social development, women-inspired narratives and the ever-changing entrepreneurial community.
"BusaBuntu Pictures (Pty) Ltd. is a London and Jozi based media company that aims to share the African perspective through diverse, disruptive and innovative storytelling models."
What inspired you to start your company?
I have always loved stories and the creative world in general and I knew at a very young age that I was destined to be a Storyteller of sorts. Navigating my way through this realisation has been testing to say the least, mainly owing to the challenges of an entrepreneurial journey, but more so because I believe that our education structure and educators seldom empower us as creatives with the entrepreneurial knowledge we need in the media industry.
So it would be fair to say that BusaBuntu Pictures (Pty) Ltd. was inspired by my natural desire to create my own stories and share my perspective as an artist but also as a means of developing models that could empower other creative entrepreneurs and just break down a few of the barriers that I still face today as a female creative entrepreneur. I'm hoping to make the road ahead a little bit easier for the next generation and at this point in my life, where I feel I have somewhat of a balance between my entrepreneurial spirit and my creative spirit, I just want to collaborate with other inspired people and develop stories that are socially engaging, innovative and create spaces of connectivity between our communities.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We offer a rich and diverse perspective on storytelling and always strive to approach every project, whether it be a film, a theatre piece or a television series with a fresh and inquisitive mind. We believe that our product is on-trend with the digital epoch that has its tentacles in every industry - this is most evident in our speedy turn-around time, affordable service delivery, and investment in disruptive, innovative and high-quality content.
We work for the story. ©
L-R: Carmel Nayanah, Line Moller-Christensen, Funeka Peppeta, Anna Neher
"I use a diverse set of creative skills to develop stories and socially impactful platforms that share and connect with multi-cultural audiences, innovate the processes and outcomes of storytelling, and make the seemingly impossible visibly possible."
Tell us a little about your team
Our team is led by myself - SuperGeek, BusaBuntu - I am a Creative Chieftan of Zulu decent. I use a diverse set of creative skills to develop stories and socially impactful platforms that share and connect with multi-cultural audiences, innovate the processes and outcomes of storytelling, and make the seemingly impossible visibly possible. The other Chieftans in the clan are accomplished South African Producer, Carmel Nayanah; precise Swiss Archivist, Anna Neher; motivated South African Business Developer, Funeka Peppeta; and resilient Norwegian Social Engagement Developer, Line Møller-Christensen. We also have partners in London, Macau, Thailand, Colombia, Shanghai, Beijing, Berlin, Cologne, Namibia...
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
After I completed my undergraduate degree at The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA) in Jozi and started working in the media industry, I encountered a number of barriers of entry for young people, particularly young women. Obviously this proved to be exceptionally frustrating for my determined and disruptive spirit, and nothing was as upsetting as the lack of mentorship and sharing of knowledge within the sector, which I believe contributes to innovation in the workspace. I quickly realised this was not an isolated incident and sought out the means to empower myself by reading a double-major MA in Filmmaking and The Creative Economy at Kingston University in the UK, and by so doing empower myself as a disruptive entrepreneur, share new knowledge with other creative entrepreneurs who wanted to develop content, and also have a steady flow of income. I truly believe that BusaBuntu Pictures (Pty) Ltd. has the potential to progressively shift the media landscape on the African continent and beyond. Like I always say, #StartSmallDreamBig © because impossible is just a state of mind.
"I truly believe that BusaBuntu Pictures has the potential to progressively shift the media landscape on the African continent and beyond. Like I always say, #StartSmallDreamBig © because impossible is just a state of mind."
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
We are currently working on moving more of our work across the African continent and hope to collaborate, share and engage with more African creative entrepreneurs. We are also excited to finalise the commissioning of a television series and complete our first feature film in 2016.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Seeing the idea that was in my head come to life. It serves as a realisation of my dreams.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
#StartSmallDreamBig ©
Contact or follow BusaBuntu Pictures
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL info@busabuntupics.com
Why LoA loves it….
There is a current fascination with harnessing the power of storytelling to get people talking and make real positive change happen in the world, and as a result, the world needs more creative forces such as talented mediapreneur, BusaBuntu. Her vision, her passion for telling a story in the most powerful way that connects with her audiences, and her enthusiastic approach to collaboration, all add up to a real game-changer for Africa in the media space. She is a name and a company to watch out for in the months and years to come! --- Melanie Hawken, founder and CEO of Lionesses of Africa