Lights….Camera….Action.….Focuses on African Youth - Michael T Hlatshwayo ( Winner - Media Hero of the Year)

        

The increase in population of Africa’s youth is so rapid. Nearly one in three people living in the region, or about 657 million, is between the ages of 10 and 24. By 2050, that age group is projected to nearly double to about 561 million or thereabout, according to PRB's The World's Youth 2013 Data Sheet.
    

           Youth unemployment remains a barrier to the region's development. So therefore, Africa’s youth have devised means to break this frightening barrier.
I've learned that fear limits you and your vision. It serves as blinders to what may be just a few steps down the road for you. The journey is valuable, but believing in your talents, your abilities, and your self-worth can empower you to walk down an even brighter path. Transforming fear into freedom - how great is that?

            

That leads me to “Michael T Hlatshwayo”, Producer Black and White Productions one of the great young minds to have come out of Africa.  Mike is a goal oriented, high achiever with strong analytical, interpersonal and team working abilities above all a filmmaker and entrepreneur in the high pressure motion picture industry. He has recently been awarded the Social Media Hero Of The Year In AFRICA Award in Lagos where he was nominated with some of Africa's giants in social media such as Strive Masiyiwa from Zimbabwe and Chris Kirubi from Kenya . 
Mike is driven and passionate about all things Film and Television. 

        Someone who through his social media presence has strive to make a difference in young people's lives by sharing briefs that help young and upcoming creatives within the industry and Africa secure job opportunities, collaborate on projects and raise funding for winning projects collectively as creatives . Through his skill acquisition initiatives he has helped youth in Africa develop the  right attitude towards labour, build their individual esteem, reduce poverty, influence the society positively,  and have given them a good mindset of not to depend on white collar jobs.

Mike knows the value of getting mentorship and role it can play in developing a creative and business person. His willingness to share his knowledge has extended to a number of projects, and also saw him working with Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini of Swaziland and Swaziland’s Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology, where he contributed to the policy making forum drafting the Kingdom’s film and new media policy.

       

  With a long list of achievements to his name, including most recently making the 200 list of Mail & Guardian’s Young South Africans for 2015 , ( Up and coming talent in Mzansi )  and making the SMAA Finalists list  and winning the title of Social Media Hero of the Year in Africa in Lagos this year, Hlatshwayo is not resting on his laurels.

Some of his accolades include : 

- Recently nominated by the Executive Chairperson of NYDA to attend the outstanding Young Persons Program to be held in Japan in September 2015 .

- Nominated to be featured as one of Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans for 2015 :  a publication that recognizes up and coming talent.

-  Producing a winning documentary for Her Royal Highness of Swaziland : Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini which is in the Editing and Post Production Phase About the Kingdom of Swaziland

-  A Recipient of the Social Media Hero Of The Year In Africa Award in Lagos, Nigeria

- Entrepreneur - start up production company : Black and White productions www.blackandwhiteproductions.co.za

-  Produced a high profile Music video for HRH Princess Sikhanyiso of Swaziland

-  Featured on Award winning business Magazine “Entrepreneur Magazine” Article titled : A well oiled machine

- Featured on Mzansi insider (SABC 1) – Young achievers insert Twice .

-  Called by the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology to work with a team of creatives in the implementation of the film and new media policy and heading one of the 6 stations at  International trade fair. He headed the editing and post production station.


-  He was profiled  on May 1's issue of DRUM magazine .

- Featured on STVA's "whats the buzz " as a young hero motivating and encouraging young people to keep dreaming because dreams do come true if they are fueled by hard work and determination . He shared input and insight as a young person on an entrepreneurial journey.

           With his quite envious and astonishing career one can easily tell that the sky is only a stepping stone for those who believe in Creativity, those who believe in Skills and Talents.

          It is high time we African youth wake up from our slumber, lets take the lead, let us rule and make a difference to our world.

          We are black and white, we are strong, we are focused and we never relent.

Let’s stop the Crimes, Killings, Kidnapping, Rape, and Drugs.  It is time for us to take the lead role.

“The Time is now” 

 

Written By:  Teniola Adedotun Michael