Time really does fly when you’re having fun

Where do I even begin? My time at the Paulet House for the Longhope TV Writing residency was absolutely wonderful. I learned so much about storytelling, and the experience truly deepened my passion for writing, especially for television.

My mentor, Tina, is an exceptional leader and storyteller. Her patience and deep love for the craft inspired me to develop a stronger connection to storytelling. We had a refreshing morning routine where we would start by journaling our thoughts, allowing us to clear our minds before diving into the writing process. Even after the program ended, I’ve continued to journal each morning – it’s become a therapeutic ritual I now cherish.

My other mentor, Muneera Sallies, has a profound love for stories. She helped me unpack the complexities of my television series concept in such a thoughtful and effortless way.

And let’s not forget Gilbert! He’s an amazing chef. The food he prepared was not only delicious but also made us feel so welcome. I still find myself missing those meals!

Theo, too, was incredible – he gave us such a warm welcome at the airport and made us feel right at home from the start.

During the residency, I had the pleasure of meeting some truly inspiring individuals: Clarissa, Siyabonga, Manhlwa and Santhea. Their stories and energy continue to inspire me every day.

On our second-to-last day, we even made a short film together, which was such a fun and rewarding experience.

The two weeks flew by in what felt like the blink of an eye. It’s true what they say: time really does fly when you’re having fun.

Mpho Nkoana

Mpho Nkoana 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. He is currently registered for an advanced diploma in motion picture production with a focus on screenwriting, also at TUT. Having worked in production and screenwriting for different companies, such as Ponelopele Pictures and Eyes on Lens Films, Mpho is eager to hone his writing skills through the Longhope TV Writing programme presented by the Jakes Gerwel Foundation and M-Net Channels. He is looking forward to collaborating with fellow creatives and aims to become one of South Africa’s leading showrunners, bringing compelling stories to life on screen.

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