S2 30 Ntokozo Mlaba on “The Passage”
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Show notes
Our first in-studio guest for 2025. In this week's offering, after chasing him for months, Gino finally gets a one on one with Ntokozo Mlaba, acclaimed film director, social activist and cultural curator of multiple artistic disciplines, and gets the lowdown on the short film The Passage.
“The Passage is not just a film. It’s a mirror, a reckoning, and a call to action,” says Ntokozo. “I wanted to confront the layered struggles of the hood, not from a voyeuristic perspective, but through the eyes of those who live it—particularly young men navigating the treacherous terrain of loyalty, survival, and morality. The township is a paradox—it breaks you down and builds you up.”
With a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a passion for social justice, Ntokozo uses storytelling to address critical societal issues. His award-winning films have been celebrated both locally and internationally, cementing his status as one of South Africa’s most exciting young voices in cinema.
And before you ask how a BCom is of any use to a filmmaker and creative, ask yourself how Ntokozo has managed to get big corporate funding for his projects. You see...
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