Meet the Mentors

A multidisciplinary artist and cultural producer, Amogelang Pila Ditlhale explores the intersections of material culture, storytelling, and Afrocentric aesthetics through visual arts, craft, and mixed media. With over eight years in the creative industry, she has led initiatives such as Healer of the World Female Arts Programme and Made4You Artist Residency, nurturing emerging artists and empowering communities through dialogue, access, and creative agency.

Founder and Creative Director of Salt & Sand Creative and President of Women in Film and Television (WIFT) South Africa, Athi Petela is a filmmaker and cultural architect shaping Africa’s creative narrative. Her multidisciplinary production house bridges film, television, and brand storytelling, while her advocacy work champions access, equality, and mentorship across the continent’s screen industries.

Mandla Mlangeni is an award-winning trumpeter, composer, and bandleader celebrated for using music as a bridge between artistry and social impact. Named the 2019 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz, he leads acclaimed ensembles such as the Amandla Freedom Ensemble and Tune Recreation Committee, earning international recognition for his innovative and culturally resonant work. As a mentor and collaborator with Wits University’s Cultural Policy and Management programme, Mlangeni continues to nurture young creatives, blending academic insight, artistic excellence, and community engagement to inspire a new generation of cultural changemakers. 

An award-winning writer and performer, Modise Sekgothe has spent over a decade exploring the intersections of poetry, performance, music, and visual art. Recipient of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Poetry (2025), his work challenges spiritual, political, and philosophical ideas through the power of words. Dedicated to nurturing experimental voices, he mentors emerging literary artists in creative depth, collaboration, and sustainability.

Siwa Mgoboza is an artist, curator, and cultural practitioner whose practice bridges contemporary art, community engagement, and cultural leadership. With exhibitions across South Africa, Europe, and North America, his work champions inclusion and critical thinking within creative ecosystems. As a mentor, he focuses on helping artists refine their visual language, navigate the art world, and build resilient, future-oriented practices.

Nqobile Sipamla is a dynamic creative practitioner, educator, and founder of SirenzQ (Pty) Ltd, a company dedicated to celebrating South African languages, culture, and identity through interactive, community-driven content. A graduate of the National School of the Arts and AFDA Film School, Nqobile’s career spans performance, facilitation, and creative production. Her work includes collaborations with Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), Conté Magazine, and Jozihub, as well as teaching roles at AFDA and Movietech Film & Television School. Passionate about storytelling and social development, she continues to create spaces where art, education, and empowerment intersect to inspire positive change.