Women of Wonder: The Beauty and Brains Behind Netflix Hit Shows Like ‘Blood & Water’

• Netflix is celebrating Women's Month by spotlighting talented women like Jayan Moodley, Nosipho Dumisa, and Layla Swart behind hit South African productions
• Bongiwe Selane, Rethabile Ramaphakela, and Layla Swart have also made significant contributions to Netflix with productions like Kandasamys: The Wedding
• Briefly News caught up with Jayan Moodley, Bongiwe Selane and Rethabile Ramaphakela to chat about being a woman in the film-making industry

Streaming giant Netflix is celebrating Women's Month by spotlighting talented women who are the brains behind top productions like Seriously Single, Kandasamys: The Wedding, Happiness Ever After, and Blood & Water.

Spotlighting the talented women behind popular Netflix shows

Netflix has become the biggest streaming platform in South Africa and the world. Several South African productions are dominating the platform. Behind the scenes, several producers work diligently to orchestrate the product experience, and among those film-makers are some women who work tirelessly to bring Mzansi the content they enjoy.

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Briefly News looks at five film producers who have worked on popular TV shows and films.

1. Blood & Water producer Nosipho Dumisa

Blood & Water is undoubtedly one of the best South African TV shows ever produced. Its suspense and drama keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Created and directed by Nosipho Dumisa, the series features top SA stars, including Ama Qamata, Khosi Ngema, and Gail Mabalane.

2. Bongiwe Selane's high-grossing feature film

Bongiwe Selane's storytelling is as diverse as South Africa itself. Whether she's producing a reality TV show, a poignant short film, or a crowd-pleasing feature like Happiness Ever After featuring powerhouses like Khanyi Mbau, Nambitha Ben-Mazwi and Renate Stuurman. The feature film also made history by becoming the highest-grossing local film in 2016. Briefly News spoke to Bongiwe about overcoming the hurdles in the film industry. She said:

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"Navigating the film industry as a female filmmaker certainly comes with its challenges, many of which stem from a lingering patriarchal mindset that still exist today. It’s common for me to enter rooms dominated by men who hold the decision-making power, whether it's about funding my projects or evaluating the worthiness of my films. On set, the predominance of male technical crew members can sometimes lead to a lack of respect, even when I’m leading the project as a producer and financing their work.

"Despite these hurdles, I try to stay true to myself- embracing my identity as a strong Black woman who knows what she wants and stays true to her vision. I’ve learned to truly harness the unique power of female energy, which can be both nurturing and calming, often creating a bridge where barriers once stood. I just try and be authentic, be me and leverage this inherent strength, and this helps me navigate challenges, hopefully doing it with confidence and grace."

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Speaking about women's voices and perspectives being represented in the industry, Selane said:

"I’ve witnessed significant progress in how women's voices and perspectives are portrayed in the film industry, and it's inspiring to see this evolution. Filmmakers today are increasingly committed to showcasing women in all their complexity—depicting them as strong, beautiful, flawed, diverse, and fearless. This shift reflects a deeper, more authentic representation that resonates with audiences across the globe."

3. Jayan Moodley on female representation

When it comes to females who have a knack for creating stories that feel like home, Jayan Moodley stands out. With her directorial debut, Kandasamys: The Wedding. She also produced Trippin' with the Kandasamys, which became a hit among Netflix viewers. Speaking to Briefly News, Moodley opened up about some of the challenges she faced as a woman in the industry:

"This industry is a tough and demanding one. The biggest challenge for me is the amount of time that is required that pulls you away from your family. Without a strong support system and a tribe to see you through making a film, life can be pretty gloomy."

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Jayan went on to share how she has overcome these challenges:

"I've realised that life is never about balance, because I'm then playing a balancing act and will never feel quite at equilibrium. I've learnt to prioritise, ask for help when I need it, speak to other women in the industry and support each other, take time out when I need it and then come back, refuelled, recharged and ready for the next project."

The film-maker believes that the female voice has been ignored for too long in the industry:

"There is finally increased visibility, more diverse stories being told, and through the lens of the female gaze. This feels like we need to celebrate!!"

4. Rethabile Ramaphakela: The Rom-Com Connoisseur

Burnt Onion Productions director Rethabile Ramaphakela is the creative mind behind some of the most famous rom-coms in Mzansi. Rethabile has produced Seriously Single, starring Fulu Mugovhani, Tumi Morake and Bohang Moeko and How To Ruin Christmas, which features the late Busi Lurayi, Thando Thabethe and Clementine Mosimane. Speaking to Briefly News, Rethabile addressed how she has made it in the male-dominated industry.

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"Sometimes it often feels like you have to work ten times harder than your male counterparts to prove your worth. But the trick is to just do the work and silence the voices, even the ones in your head. Also, look at the opportunities where you can create for yourself. Keep writing, keep creating."

Rethabile also spoke about what inspired her to pursue film-making. She said:

"The magic of storytelling. That we can create a whole world and characters and bring them to life and they can make people feel things. You can make people laugh or cry or even tell stories that make a social impact. For that 30 minutes or an hour, people can forget about their own lives and engage in the lives of others. That is real magic."

5. Layla Swart: The Champion of Local Talent

Layla Swart is not just a leading producer and editor; she’s a trailblazer in the future of South African cinema. Through her production company, Yellowbone Entertainment, and her post-production facility, The Post Office, Layla creates award-winning films while also cultivating the next generation of filmmakers. Her work has captivated audiences at international festivals, showcasing the power and the potential of South African stories on the global stage.

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Pearl Modiadie bags new lead role on Showmax series Law, Love and Betrayal

In more news about women winning, Briefly News reported that the South African media personality Pearl Modiadie is back with a bang, and fans can look forward to seeing her again on screen.

The talented radio presenter and actress Pearl Modiadie have made headlines on social media once again after she flaunted her baecation with her bae in New York, America.

Source: Briefly News