Creative Conference Day 1
AFRI-MASTERCLASS PRESENTS: POWERING THE CREATIVE ECONOMY
25 JUNE 2025
08h00 – 16h00
AFRIMASTERCLASS HOLDING ROOM – SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER
AFRI-MASTERCLASS
UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CREATIVE, CULTURAL, AND SPORTS ECONOMY
Empowering Africa’s Creators to Compete Globally
Afri-MasterClass is a pan-African learning and empowerment platform dedicated to bridging the gap between raw talent and market readiness within the creative, cultural, and sports economies.
In 2025, Afri-MasterClass is delivering a flagship engagement series under the banner “Afri-MasterClass Mpumalanga 2025,” co-hosted with strategic partners — from local municipalities and national departments to sponsors and industry leaders.
Our mission? To accelerate the professional growth of creatives, unlock funding and investment pathways, drive community development through digital transformation, and contribute to economic growth in township and rural economies.
This event is jam-packed with Q&As and insights from powerhouses across media, government, sports, film, and finance — all focused on making the creative economy work for the people who drive it.
Topics
This event is a banger lineup of thought leaders, game changers, and creators shaping the future of Africa’s creative economy.
TIME
Title
Description
08:00 – 08:50
Arrival / Coffee / Networking
Arrival / Coffee / Networking
08:50 – 09:00
Conhill Welcome
Conhill Welcome
09:00 – 09:30
SABC Marketing Q&A
Dichaba Phalatse, Building National Brands – The Role of SABC in Commercializing SA Talent & Heritage
10:00 – 10:30
Shakes Mashaba Q&A
Shakes Mashaba, The Role of Sports in Our Society
10:30 – 11:00
MICTSeta CEO Q&A
Matome Madibana, The Role of the SETAs & Youth Opportunities
11:00 – 11:30
Gauteng Film Commission GM Q&A
Nano Mothiba, Film in Society – Can It Be a Sustainable Career?
11:30 – 12:00
Brand SA Q&A
Sithembile Ndaba, Presenting the “Play Your Part” Campaign
12:00 – 12:30
Kenako Marketing CEO Q&A
Nkosenhle Hlophe, PR & Marketing in Modern Business
12:30 – 13:00
Break / Networking
Stand Exhibit Q&A
13:30 – 14:00
Proudly SA CEO Q&A
Eustace Mashimbye, The Economic Importance of Supporting Local Talent & Productions
14:00 – 14:30
Director-General of Tourism Q&A
Director-General of Tourism, Unlocking the Tourism Economy Through Culture & Events
14:30 – 15:00
Collecting Societies Q&A
Lydia Hlongwane, The Role of Collecting Societies
15:30 – 16:00
Financial Literacy Q&A
Jason Maizen, Generational Wealth
PANELISTS & FACILITATORS
Melody Miya
Morning Programme Host
Radio & TV personality, MC of 700+ events, and youth empowerment dynamo.
Madeleine Smit
Afternoon Programme Host
TBC
Dichaba Phalatse
Marketing exec at SABC with 20+ years’ experience leading iconic campaigns and shaping SA’s entertainment landscape.
Shakes Mashaba
Legendary football coach. First SA coach to beat Brazil and mentor of future national stars.
Matome Madibana
CEO of MICT SETA. Driving digital and creative sector growth through national skills development.
Nano Mothiba
Marketing boss at Gauteng Film Commission and award-winning strategist shaping Africa’s media scene.
Sithembile Ntombela
Acting CEO of Brand South Africa. Nation branding expert and global rep for SA’s identity on the world stage.
Nkosenhle Hlophe
CEO of Kenako Marketing. Media strategist with international reach and deep branding expertise.
Eustace Mashimbye
CEO of Proudly South African. Champion of local economic empowerment and corporate governance.
Jason Maizen
Financial educator and speaker focused on building generational wealth for African communities.
Lydia Hlongwane
Industry advocate for collecting societies and creative rights.
Victor Vele
TBC
Zamani Ndimande
TBC
Linda Sibiya
TBC
Minister Pinky Kekana
Public service heavyweight and advocate for creatives in government spaces.
