Please could you describe what you do in a sentence and why. 

My name is Sizwe Mbiza, I am a filmmaker, photographer, storyteller and a fashion enthusiast. I do what I do because I love seeing beautiful things. I love creating things that will feed people’s imagination.

 

When did the creative bug bite?

As far as I can remember I’ve always been into the arts. With every new school year I looked forward to having fresh colouring pencils because I really enjoyed drawing. In high school I took on Design as a subject and it has been love ever since.

 

Did you always want to do, what you currently do?

Of course! I’ve always known that I would be in the arts one way or another. I’ve always had a different perspective and taste to my peers and that kind of led me into the path that I am in now. 

 

What is the best thing about your work?

The Best thing about my work is that it’s always personal. It’s either personal to me or the subject. I always try to make the work relatable in one way or the other.

 

Explain the concept/inspiration behind your favorite project?

Wonderverse (e) is a visual project discussing and dissecting the duality of wisdom and wonder. A wonderverse is a consciousness where wonder and wisdom coalesce to imagine. To ultra-imagine.

 

What is the motto you live by?

“Its not that deep.”

 

What makes you happy?

Love makes me happy. Love from friends, family and romantic relationship. Like Chance The Rapper said, “There ain’t nothing better than falling in love.”

 

Where do you currently live and work?

I am born and raised in Johannesburg and still live and work here as a content creator for an online publication.

 

Describe how you got to your current position?

I can’t really say much on this but I’d like to think that I worked smart to and stayed true to myself and my beliefs.

 

Describe how you were chosen as one of the Emerging Creatives at the Design Indaba. Why exactly do you think you were chosen?

Design Indaba has a program where they choose 40 different creatives around the country and they choose these creatives according to what they do. So all the creatives are unique in their own right. I’m not quite sure why I was chosen but I’d like to believe that my work is the reason why I was part of the amazing 40 creatives.

 

Where do you live and work?

Add answer here

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Explain/Describe your Creative Process

It varies with each process but the first step is inspiration. Before I work with someone I have to be cool with them. A personal connection and vibe goes a long way when creating content, so there always has to be a good vibe with the people I create with. I don’t have a rigorous process whenever I create.

 

Could you please list some of your biggest achievements? 

Being able to exhibit my work in Cape Town has been my highlight so far.

 

What are your thoughts on the Afrikan Creative Industry? 

Its growing exponentially. I like the fact that there is a new African aesthetic that is worldly and more true to who we’ve become as Africans. The Wax printed material representation is outdated. I really like the fact that we are now redefining the industry for ourselves and not waiting for any gate keeper’s co-sign.

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Do you think that Afrikan Creatives have a lot to offer in terms of the Global Creative Market?

Yes. We have a unique story and history that influences our work and creative process so we definitely have a lot to offer.

 

How are you contributing to the Afrikan Creative Industry?

By creating true and honest content.

 

Are there any Afrikan Creatives that influence your work? If so please name and state why they influence you as a creative. 

Rich Mnisi, Didintle Ntshudisane and Miya Twala are my many inspirations.  

 

Has social media made an influence on the success of your work? If so how? 

Yeah social media is where I publish my work. It has made it so much easier for people to consume what I do. It’s instant, the results are immediate. However, this also means that the life span of the work is shorter because the internet is saturated and there are so many things happening at once.

 

How can people connect with you if they would like to?

Website: www.sizembiza.com

Instagram:@sizembiza

Twitter:@SizeMbiza

Facebook:Size Mbiza

LinkedIn:Sizwe Mbiza