WHO WE ARE
WHO WE ARE
And why it matters
Media City Academy (MCA) nurtures the next generation of filmmakers, producers, writers, and media innovators – creatives who don’t just want to work in the industry, but shape it. Our industry-integrated education ensures graduates confidently step into real roles, productions, and opportunities. And with a hybrid model that blends theory, hands-on training, and experience at Media City Studios (formerly the iconic Studios on Harley), you’re not just learning – you’re doing.
So whether you want you have Grade 11, Grade 12, or you just want to level up in the industry part-time, MEDIA CITY ACADEMY is where your career in the creative industries begins.
Meet our faculty
Learn From the Best
Zenobia Simelane
Head of School, Media City Academy
Zenobia Simelane is a highly respected educator and creative industry executive with over 20 years of experience designing accredited skills development programmes that align directly with market demand. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Film and Technology and has led pioneering work across Africa’s media and education landscape, partnering with broadcasters such as M-Net, SABC, eTV and Canal Plus, and delivering content for brands like Discovery Bank, KFC and L’Oréal.
Zenobia is recognised for her bold leadership and strategic insight. Her work consistently challenges traditional learning models by embedding real-world application into every programme she develops. What distinguishes her is her steadfast dedication to helping young people flourish, not only academically but also professionally.
At Media City Academy, Zenobia has shaped a curriculum that bridges the gap between theory and practice. Under her guidance, the school is redefining creative education by combining classroom learning with immersive experience on real productions. Students are trained in a fully operational studio environment with state-of-the-art equipment and mentorship from working professionals.
But it goes further than that. Zenobia has built a structured career guidance framework into the DNA of the school. Every student is supported in understanding the wide range of career pathways available in the creative sector, from directing and producing, to editing, sound, post-production and beyond. This includes mentorship, exposure to live job sites, and guidance on building a CV that reflects real, marketable experience. Through Media City Academy’s industry partnerships, learners gain access to productions that can launch their careers before graduation.
Zenobia fosters a safe, inclusive, and aspirational learning environment where every student is seen and supported. Her leadership is rooted in purpose,s equipping learners with both the confidence and capability to take ownership of their creative futures.
Chinaka Iwunze
Facilitator – Narrative and Factual Writing
Chinaka Iwunze is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker and educator with extensive experience in both African and international television and film industries. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Film from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a globally ranked institution. She was recognised with the Jack Nicholson Screenwriting Award and the Ron Baham Memorial Fellowship in Comedy, honours reserved for the most exceptional talent in screenwriting.
Chinaka has written for primetime scripted content across major networks including Netflix, e.tv, Mzansi Magic and SABC, where her work has contributed to top-performing series and long-form narratives. Her creative output has reached millions of viewers across Africa and beyond. Her expertise in structured storytelling, world-building and television writing is grounded in years of high-level industry experience.
She was selected for the African Creative TV Residency, a joint initiative between the US State Department and the University of Southern California, designed to prepare top African creatives to lead in global content development.
At Media City Academy, Chinaka leads the Narrative and Factual Writing stream. She equips the next generation of writers with the theoretical foundation and practical tools needed to succeed in today’s content markets. Her industry insight and teaching credentials make her a credible and trusted guide for students pursuing careers in writing for film, television and digital platforms.
Kamscilla Naidoo
Facilitator – Production & Business of the Creative Industries
Kamscilla Naidoo is a highly decorated South African media professional with over three decades of experience and a global portfolio that speaks to her authority in the field. As a BBC-trained creative and an award-winning producer, Kamscilla brings a rare combination of international insight and local impact into the classroom.
She holds the distinction of producing content for major broadcasters including the BBC, Channel 4 and the SABC, and has been recognised with several prestigious awards for her work in storytelling, social impact, and production excellence. As a former Head of Local Commissioned Content at the SABC, she helped steer policy reform and opened doors for women and emerging talent across the creative industry.
Kamscilla is a sought-after strategist and consultant in the film and television space and has served as a juror for international film awards. Her reputation as a thought leader and mentor is built on a track record of helping new talent transition successfully into the world of professional content creation.
At Media City Academy, she leverages her accolades and deep industry networks to ensure students receive not just training but access to opportunity. Her expertise in both production and the business side of the creative economy prepares learners to succeed in a competitive, globalised industry.
Bastian Hoehn
Facilitator - Broadcast Format Writing
Bastian Höhn is a respected content strategist, educator and development consultant with more than 15 years of experience working across multiple markets, including South Africa, Germany, the United Kingdom and Kenya. His creative expertise spans broadcast formats, reality television, docuseries, and scripted content, and he has played an instrumental role in shaping content strategies for leading international broadcasters including ITV, SABC, eTV, Viacom, and M-Net.
Fluent in German and English, Bastian holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy and African Studies and combines academic depth with real-world understanding of global storytelling and commissioning trends. His work has supported hundreds of writers and producers through practical training, development labs and market preparation workshops, with a strong emphasis on making content that is both locally resonant and globally competitive.
Bastian’s teaching style is analytical, rigorous and empowering. He is passionate about equipping the next generation of writers with the tools to build original ideas from concept through to pitch and production, and to confidently navigate the collaborative world of professional television writing.
At Media City Academy, Bastian brings a global perspective to content development, helping learners understand audience psychology, platform-specific formats and the rapidly evolving demands of the creative economy. His goal is not just to teach storytelling, but to cultivate adaptable creative thinkers who are ready for the realities of industry.
Anton Swart
Facilitator – Broadcast Journalism and Production
Anton Swart brings over four decades of experience in frontline journalism and international broadcast production. He holds diplomas in Mechanical Engineering and Marine Engineering from Peninsula Technikon, is a certified drone pilot, a qualified Master Scuba Diver Trainer, and a registered Secular Marriage Officer through the Department of Home Affairs. His technical credentials are matched by a career rooted in high-stakes reporting and content production across Southern Africa.
Currently a senior producer at ARD German TV’s Southern Africa Bureau, Anton has worked across sound, camera, editing and field production, contributing to major global broadcasters including the BBC, ITN, CBS, ABC, Reuters and APTN. His work spans war reporting, natural disasters, peacebuilding efforts and human interest stories, making him an invaluable resource for students seeking practical, real-world insight into the creative and broadcast industries.
His journalism career began in 1981 as a photojournalist covering the anti-apartheid movement. By 1985, he transitioned into international broadcast work, later relocating to Johannesburg in 1987 where he continued to produce regional content with global resonance. He has produced in-depth coverage of pivotal moments such as the release of Nelson Mandela, Namibia’s independence, and South Africa’s democratic transition.
At Media City Academy, Anton is focused on shaping the next generation of broadcast professionals. His teaching combines technical mastery with a deep understanding of storytelling, production logistics and editorial integrity. Students benefit from his lived experience in the field, gaining insight that goes beyond textbooks and into the heart of media production. He equips students with the skills and mindset required to navigate and contribute meaningfully to today’s fast-evolving broadcast and media landscape.
WHY WE’RE HERE
WHY WE’RE HERE
AND WHY YOU SHOULD BE TOO
- Empowering Future Creatives: From classic craft to AI-assisted workflows.
- Merging Tech & the Creative Arts: Virtual production, digital effects, and beyond.
- Fuelling Innovation: Exploring the new: from AI-generated scripts to interactive narratives.
- Connecting to Industry: Real relationships with real professionals.
- Building Responsibly: Promoting sustainability and ethical AI in production.
- Bridging the Gap: Between education and industry, theory and action.
