EC scriptwriter going places

EL programme got the ball rolling

BUDDING writer Zolisa Sigwanda is making a name for himself in the television industry, thanks to a screenwriting programme that ran in East London last year.

Sigwanda, a graduate of the Sediba Spark screenwriting programme, has landed a job as a screenwriter at Urban Brew on upcoming telenovela Gold Diggers, which is set to air on e.tv this month.

The National Film and Video Foundation’s (NFVF) screenwriting programme, in partnership with the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council (ECPACC) and the Eastern Cape Film Office, ran between late 2013 and early last year in East London where Sigwanda and a group of young writers were instructed in feature film storytelling by seasoned professionals.

Speaking to the Daily Dispatch last week, Sigwanda said he could not divulge information about Gold Diggers but said the story was about a family of miners who find themselves involved in illegal mining.

However, this is not the 23-yearold’s first gig.

Shortly after graduating last year, he worked as a storyliner for the SABC 1 hit telenovela uZalo.

About his inspiration and sourcing of material, Sigwanda said: “I take stories and lessons from experiences – mine and the people around me – but mostly I get my best material from topical issues, things that sort of push their way into your midst and you cannot ignore.”

Sigwanda said he owed his success to the programme as he always wanted to be a writer but did not know how to get into the industry.

“After matriculating in 2008, I was accepted into the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s BSc Construction Management programme where I continued writing in my spare time.

“Before registering for my final year, I realised my chosen field of study was not for me, so I opted to pursue my passion for writing.”

He said without a clear plan and formal education, he found breaking into the industry extremely hard, particularly in Port Elizabeth.

Sigwanda credits his success to hard work, talent and the faith his mentor, Loyiso Maqoma, and family have in him.

“It’s hard enough to have a strong support base at home when you have nothing to show for your ambitions, but to get that same kind of support from outside is something unheard of.

“People like Loyiso have made a lasting impression on me in how passionately they fight for establishing an industry in the Eastern Cape and how willingly they share their vast knowledge and experience”. —