The Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme 5 (PESP 5) allocates funds to seven arts disciplines namely; music, literature, visual arts, crafts, theatre, dance and multidiscipline. They aim to provide economic stimulation to support initiatives that are likely to create jobs in the creative and cultural sectors. This process kicks off with an open call for proposals.
Recently the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) released the list of successful applicants who will receive PESP 5 funding this year. We are happy to celebrate with three of our writers (Mpho Nkoana, Jane Mpholo-Mehlape and Deidré Jantjies) for receiving funding for their creative projects.
Mpho Nkoana
Mpho Nkoana, participant in the Longhope TV writing residency in 2024, is a passionate writer and an emerging talent in the film industry. During his three-year diploma in motion picture production at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), he wrote a short thriller called Final Girl, which earned him the distinction of Best Achievement in Scriptwriting at the TUT Film Awards. Last year (2024) he received his second TUT film award; this time with recognition for Best Performance in Production. Nkoana shared that this award is especially meaningful for him as he aspires to venture into the role of commissioning editor.
Nkoana was recently selected by the PESP 5 to receive funds for his web series, Banyaneng.
Banyaneng is a passion project that celebrates the resilience, humour, and ambition of young South African women. Set in Atteridgeville, the web series follows four friends—Reitumetse, Grace, Lele, and Nthabi—who find themselves on the brink of eviction. As they fight to keep their home, they navigate friendships, love, and personal ambitions in a world that constantly challenges them. With a mix of comedy and drama, Banyaneng reflects the struggles and triumphs of contemporary youth, all while capturing the unique energy of township life.
Thanks to the NFVF PESP5 funding, we’re bringing this story to life with a talented team of creatives. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to share Banyaneng with audiences who will see themselves in these characters.
Mpho Nkoana
Jane Mpholo–Mehlape
Jane Mpholo-Mehlape, participant in the NATi Rising Stars project in 2021, is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, entrepreneur, and changemaker from Botshabelo, South Africa. As CEO of Jane Mpholo Pty Ltd, she is pioneering work in theatre, film, and site-specific performance art. Recently, Mpholo-Mehlape captivated audiences with her solo performance, Fragmented, at the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS). Her work uses art as a powerful tool for raising awareness, provoking conversations, and driving change, especially around social justice issues.
Mpholo-Mehlape has received funding from the PESP 5 for her debut documentary short film, Under the Spotlight: Harnessing Theatre for Healing (working title).
This deeply personal and inspiring project celebrates her transformative career, showcasing theatre’s power as a tool for self- and communal healing. The documentary will create 30 job opportunities, prioritizing Free State filmmakers from previously marginalized communities.
Mpholo-Mehlape joins forces with the brilliant Sara de Gouveia, a SAFTA-winning and internationally acclaimed filmmaker based in Cape Town. Their creative synergy, first sparked at the Tankwa Artscape Residency in 2024, has led to multiple collaborations—including Echoes of the Land, a film they shot at the Bhodi Khaya Artists Residency in late 2024. With De Gouveia’s vision and Mpholo-Mehlape’s commanding presence, the film will have its highly anticipated premiere at Vrystaat Kunstefees in July 2025.
Stay tuned to witness how Under the Spotlight illuminates the power of theatre to heal and transform.
Deidré Jantjies
Deidré Jantjies, participants in the Jakes Gerwel Foundation’s Bosberg Book Writing mentorship progamme in 2020, is a cultural activist passionate about the historical stories of women. She is the founder of Na Aap Productions and the author of the illustrated children’s book Stories in die Wind (2022), which is written in Nama and Afrikaans. An animated web series accompanies the book. Jantjies was also awarded the Children’s Literature Award for her novel, Stories in die wind.
Jantjies has received funding from the PESP 5 for her 90-minute mystery drama feature film called Venus.
A story about a young woman who receives a calling from her indigenous ancestor to right the wrongs of the past.
Congratulations once again to Mpho, Jane and Deidré! We look forward to seeing your projects come to life.
