MEDIA RELEASE: STERKSPRUIT FILMMAKER SHINES AT FAME WEEK AFRICA, SET TO PREMIERE HERITAGE FILM IN OCTOBER

01 September 2025

Fresh from placing third in the MIP Africa pitching sessions for his film, Born to Silence, at Fame Week Africa at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 1 – 6 September, Sterkspruit film producer Lukhanyo Manyangezi (26) is turning his attention to the first screening of his new film, King Maqoma, which shines a spotlight on the rich history of our province for the global stage this heritage month.

Audiences will get a chance to view the first screening of King Maqoma on 11 October 2025 which celebrates the legacy of King Maqoma. King Maqoma was one of the greatest Xhosa military commanders and played a major role in the Sixth and Eighth Xhosa Frontier Wars during the early and mid-1800s. He was the son of Ngqika, King of the Rharhabe people.

Manyangezi was one of five Eastern Cape creatives supported by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) to participate at MIP Africa, Africa's leading Business to Business market for film, television, digital content distribution and co-production business in Sub-Saharan Africa. MIP Africa is held at Fame Week Africa which is an essential destination for African and global creative professionals and features content sessions, music showcases, film screenings, exhibitions and a variety of networking opportunities.

“King Maqoma is more than just cinema, it’s a way to reclaim local history and a chance to shine a spotlight on the rich history of our province for the global stage, like the story of Shaka Zulu. When I discovered the legacy of King Maqoma, it dawned on me that this story needs to be told by the people of the Eastern Cape for the world. 

“This production comes just after my recent trip to Fame Week Africa in Cape Town where I pitched the film, Born to Silence, which explores the lived experiences of victims of Gender Based Violence in the Eastern Cape. I am happy that we got the opportunity to pitch the film at Fame Week Africa’s MIP Africa and our pitch was placed third overall,” says Manyangezi.

Manyangezi who produced the thrilling drama, The Accused, which was screened on Amazon Prime in 2024, says Fame Week Africa provided an opportunity for him to connect with actors, producers, and tv channels such as eTV with whom he is exploring potential collaborations.

ECDC Arts and Crafts Coordinator Athenkosi Baliso says the creative industry is an integral part of the Eastern Cape economy and its heritage. He says the Corporation has provided intentional support to creative enterprises for the last 15 years. 

Over the years, the ECDC has provided market access opportunities to Eastern Cape creatives to participate in promotional platforms such as annual consumer and trade shows such as Decorex Cape Town and Johannesburg, National Arts Festival, Mandela Bay Arts Festival, Rand Eastern Show, Buffalo City Municipality Fashion Fair, All Fashion Sourcing, Fame Week Africa, Lithuba Lakho Visual Arts and Craft Competition and Exhibition, and the Johannesburg Art Fair among others.

“The ECDC’s support for the creative economy, which is also a cultural and heritage expression, is based on building capacity for sustainable creative enterprises to boost their global competitiveness. Our support includes market access initiatives to increase the sales of creative enterprises, providing access to local and international markets, and improved value chain relations. For example, the ECDC manages the East London-based Eastern Cape Craft Collection Shop which displays and sells the creative works of 97 creative enterprises from throughout the province, providing a crucial market access opportunity” says Baliso.