Zanele Mthembu

Zanele is an Executive Producer, former Broadcast Executive, lecturer, mentor and advocate for women and youth empowerment. She boasts 30 years of experience in television and film production and broadcasting. She brings a robust understanding of the business of broadcasting, production and distribution gained through her work in local, regional and international markets She served as Executive Head of Channel of Newzroom Afrika, Group Head of Content at eMedia Group. Prior to returning to South she spent nine years at Discovery Communications in the USA, working across multiple business units with responsibility for projects and external producers across all Discovery Communications networks. She is owner and Executive Producer at Brown Panther Films with a primary focus on producing content in the arts, music, and sports. Zanele’s vision is to develop a pipeline of content and industry talent through her company. She served as Chair of the board of Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT) and as board member of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) Council. Zanele was appointed as a juror for the International Emmy Awards, Wildscreen Panda Awards, Guangzhou International Documentary Festival Awards and the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs).