The main goal was to empower an individual with knowledge and hands-on experience, so that they develop their own platform from which to be able to effectively enter the commercial sector.
First to make the huge leap was Tshepo Moropa, Soweto TV's wardrobe stylist. As a designer, Moropa was involved with Fashion Week and various fashion shows, including the launch of the Hector Peterson brand. Later he decided to take a sabbatical and when Soweto TV received its broadcasting licence for 2007, he approached the channel and offered his services; this was his platform to get back into the industry and to learn more about television.
While working at the station he approached One Gospel and the rest, as they say, is history. Moropa is now One Gospel's wardrobe stylist and this talented young man also does styling for YOTV and Countdown 2010.
Next to make it into the commercial sector was Azul Banzi, who started out at Soweto TV in 2005 when the channel received a one-month broadcasting licence. In December 2006, during Soweto TV's second 30-day special event broadcast, he was back at the channel. Last year, when Soweto TV was granted an extended broadcasting licence, Banzi was once again on board where he produced a music show called Open Door Policy. Later he was asked to assist with Ziyamporoma, a lifestyle show.
In November 2007, Banzi was approached by Urban Brew Studios and was asked to assist in the production of SABC1's premiere music show - Live. He has been doing such a phenomenal job that he has been asked to assist as a producer on Real Gobhoza, SABC1's gossip and celebrity show.
Then there's Gugulethu Masina, who started out as a graphic designer at Short Left Advertising at Herdbouys Mccann Erickson, of which she was a co-founder. She enjoyed advertising but found that she wanted to explore other interests. That is when broadcasting came into the scheme of plans. She then heard about Soweto TV, she volunteered to produce Mbokodo and was lucky to be accepted into the six month Urban Brew training programme.
After successfully producing the women's show, Masina then made her way to Urban Brew Studios, where she has been working for five months as a content producer for SABC1's Shift.
Last but definitely not least is Tshepo Thobane. He started out has a presenter on Soweto TV's sport show Dipapadi. He also had the opportunity to enter the training programme, which he says was a truly great experience that helped him hone into his skills in the TV industry.
During his six months at Soweto TV, Thobane won an award from SAFA Soweto which recognised him for the great work he was doing in the development of sport, particularly in Soweto. Thobane then applied for a post on e.tv's Sunrise Breakfast Show for a Sotho news reader. It wasn't long before he received the good news about landing the job and now he does not only read the news but is also the sports producer.
