Kariega storyteller lands dream job on set
Intent on telling the stories of the misrepresented, an Eastern Cape woman took the plunge this week when she started her new job as an assistant producer for the movie, Miss Fortune, to be shown on Netflix.
Lusanda Payiya, 24, who grew up in a rural village near East London before moving to Kariega, was studying towards an analytical chemistry degree when she dropped out in 2022 as she could no longer ignore the voice calling her to be a storyteller.
Now, studying towards obtaining her NQF level five qualification in TV and Film Production from the National Electronic Media Institute of SA, she is finally following her dream.
She had taken the chance and entered her work with the Eastern Cape Film Festival Film Hub, founded by Kariega filmmaker Nceba Mqolomba, who was at the time looking for scriptwriters.
Though her script was not selected, she was chosen to be trained as an assistant producer.
Payiya said she was particularly grateful for the opportunity as she was one of only a few women selected.
“I am grateful to the Film Festival Film Hub because most of the time, when artists leave the Eastern Cape for Johannesburg in search of greener pastures, they arrive there emptyhanded. They then end up returning home with nothing to show.
“For me, to arrive in Gauteng with a job waiting for me, that is something special.”
She said she was grateful to Mqolomba and award-winning director and producer Zuko Nodada for believing in her.
She previously worked as an assistant producer for the movie, uXolo.
That project concluded on April 14 and will be shown on DStv’s Mzansi Magic.
Though she cannot give too much away yet, she said some of the big names who were part of Miss Fortune included Ntando Duma, Kay Sibiya, Mnqobi Yazo, Mpumelelo Mpama and Zinhle Mabena.
She said one of her goals was to contribute towards the growth of more women in the business of storytelling.
“Coming from a rural village, I felt I was better suited to represent stories from that community, but I do not see many women behind the camera,” Payiya said.
Nodada, who chose Payiya to work with him on Miss Fortune, said he had noted her work ethic when he assisted Mqolomba with workshops.
“I told Mqolomba I wanted to see who the people were with the potential we could help develop.
“I worked closely with Lusanda when I arrived in Kariega.
“She was talented and not only doing this for the money.
“I said such a person deserves to be developed further,” he said, adding that he saw a younger version of himself in her.
Mqolomba said an assistant director basically ran the set, ensuring everything was done according to schedule.