Shows
Press Start MzansiEp 8 – Identity, Creativity and Building Games from the Heart of Africa with Homolang “Nathi” MaruleEp 8 – Identity, Creativity and Building Games from the Heart of Africa with Homolang “Nathi” MaruleIn this episode of Press Start Mzansi, we sit down with Homolang “Nathi” Marule, founder and CEO of Atrybute Studios, to explore how imagination, spirituality, and technology intersect in African game development.From drawing robots and sharks in preschool to leading a creative studio today, Nathi’s story is one of perseverance, curiosity, and deep reflection. He describes himself as a modern African child — someone navigating tradition, spirituality, global culture, and innovation. His games and creative philosophy blend the ancestral and the futuristi...
2025-11-2651 minPress Start MzansiEp 7 – Mobility, Storytelling and Innovation in the Digital Age with Albi ModiseIn this episode of Press Start Mzansi, we sit down with Albi Modise, Senior Executive Manager for Communication and Marketing at the Gautrain Management Agency. With more than two decades of experience across journalism, media, and government communication, Albi has shaped some of South Africa’s most important public narratives.From his early days in radio and journalism to his current work leading communication strategy for one of Africa’s most recognised mobility brands, Albi shares insights into how storytelling, branding, and innovation come together in the digital age.Hosted by Bandile Phuthuma and Kieran Reid, this c...
2025-11-1245 minPress Start MzansiEp 6 – Made in Africa: Building Bold Games with Ben Myres of NyamakopIn this episode of Press Start Mzansi, we speak with Ben Myres, the creative force behind Nyamakop, one of South Africa’s most acclaimed independent game studios. From Semblance, the first African-developed title released on a Nintendo platform, to his latest project Relooted, Ben’s work continues to shape how the world sees African creativity.Relooted is a heist game with a purpose. Built around recovering seventy real African artefacts currently held in Western museums, the game blends stealth, strategy, and storytelling in a powerful narrative about repatriation, cultural justice, and African futurism.Hosted by Band...
2025-11-1037 minPress Start MzansiEp 5 - Building a Game Development Ecosystem from the Ground Up - Raymond LedwabaBuilding a Game Development Ecosystem from the Ground Up with Raymond LedwabaIn this episode of Press Start Mzansi, we sit down with Raymond Ledwaba, CEO of ITTHYNK Gaming, to explore what it really takes to build South Africa’s game development ecosystem from the ground up.From finance to gaming, Raymond’s journey is one of vision, grit, and purpose. He is not just creating games, he is helping to build the pipeline of African talent, companies, and intellectual property that will define the continent’s digital future.Hosted by Bandile Phuthu...
2025-10-2032 minPress Start MzansiEp 4 - Moving People, Moving Futures with Gautrain CEO Tshepo KgobeMoving People, Moving Futures with Gautrain CEO Tshepo KgobeIn this episode of Press Start Mzansi, we sit down with Tshepo Kgobe, Chief Executive Officer of the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA), to explore how mobility, innovation, and gaming intersect in shaping South Africa’s future.From building one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure projects to imagining what the next decade of smart mobility could look like, Mr Kgobe shares insights on leadership, technology, and the role of creativity in moving people — and moving futures.We unpack how transport isn’t just about gettin...
2025-10-0254 minPress Start MzansiEp 3 - Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele - Telling South Africa’s Digital StoryTelling South Africa’s Digital Story with Deputy Minister Mondli GungubeleIn this episode of Press Start Mzansi, we sit down with Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele from the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) to talk about South Africa’s place in the global digital economy — and how games can play a role.The Deputy Minister reflects on the importance of skills development, digital inclusion, and youth empowerment in shaping South Africa’s future. We discuss what it takes for government, industry, and creators to work together to build opportunities, and how games and play are...
2025-09-1939 minPress Start MzansiEp2 - Barba Gaoganediwe - Telling Gauteng’s Story Through Gaming and Digital TourismTelling Gauteng’s Story Through Gaming and Digital TourismIn this episode of Press Start Mzansi, we sit down with Barba Gaoganediwe, Head of Marketing at the Gauteng Tourism Authority, to explore how gaming can help tell the story of place, identity, and culture in South Africa.Barba shares why tourism must embrace digital platforms and immersive experiences, how township and heritage stories can find new life through play, and what it means to position Gauteng as both a destination and a narrative. From AFROPUNK Joburg to digital tourism campaigns, this conversation sh...
2025-09-0134 minPress Start MzansiEp1 - How the Jobs Fund is Supporting SA's Gaming EcosystemIn our very first episode, we speak to Zaid Motala, Legal Advisor at the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund, about why the Fund is investing in South Africa’s gaming industry — and what that means for the future of work, youth employment, and creative innovation.Zaid shares insights into how public policy is shifting to include non-traditional sectors, what legal and governance challenges exist in creative partnerships, and why games might be one of the most exciting opportunities for inclusive growth in the country.Hosted by Bandile Phuthuma with co-host Khumo Moerane, this conversation goes beyond...
2025-08-1126 min