Propella Business Incubator and the Kouga Wind Farm Community Development Trust (KWFCDT) have partnered to launch the Multi-Media Creators Programme targeting the KWFCDT beneficiary communities: Umzamowethu/Oyster Bay, Sea Vista, KwaNomzamo, and Kruisfontein.
This interactive programme is a DigiTech initiative designed to equip aspiring multi-media creators with essential skills covering digital training, business incubation, connecting creators with the multi-media industry within the Eastern Cape, and connecting creators to Development Funding Institutions (DFIs) to thrive in the fast-evolving media landscape.
On the 6th of March 2025, the Multi-Media Programme officially onboarded 30 participants, joined by Siyabulela Zondani, Projects Operations Officer at the Kouga Windfarm Community Development Trust (KWFCDT), and Sinovuyo Shoco, Economic Development Officer at Kouga Municipality.
Propella’s Masa Mlamla welcomed participants with an overview of the programme, emphasising the importance of bridging digital gaps in the multimedia industry to unlock more development opportunities within KWFCDT communities.
KFCDT’s Siya Zondani highlighted that the recent expansion of wind turbines across wind farms has created a growing demand for creatives in drone operation, photography, videography, digital content creation, and other multi-media services — paving the way for more inclusive economic participation.
Kouga Municipality’s Sinovuyo Shoco further cemented the municipality’s commitment to supporting local businesses, urging creators to utilise the opportunities and platforms offered by the Local Economic Development Office to formalise and grow their businesses.
Addressing the Digital Shift
With the recent TikTok ban in the United States, over 170 million accounts were restricted, leaving many American digital content creators devastated as their primary source of income was disrupted overnight. This sudden shift, which led to the restriction of over 170 million accounts in the United States, has served as a stark reality check for South Africa’s digital creation industry, highlighting the urgent need for creators to re-evaluate how they protect and take ownership of their digital content.
There is an urgent need to nurture and formalise the multi-media industry, ensuring that creators have full ownership of their craft, which will not only empower individual creators but also elevate the industry standards and foster innovation. PwC’s Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook 2024–2028 outlines the overview of the Entertainment and Media industry as it rapidly increases with a projection on the South African E&M industry stating that the “E&M revenues in all three markets are expected to rise ahead of the global average of a 3.9% CAGR. E&M revenue in South Africa will increase from R295.3bn (US$16.1bn) to R363.2bn (US$19.8bn).” This highlights the immense growth potential in the industry, presenting significant opportunities for creators to establish and scale their careers.
Commitment to Digital Inclusion and Economic Empowerment
The partnership between Propella Business Incubator and KWFCDT highlights the commitment of both organisations to fostering digital inclusion and economic empowerment in Umzamowethu, Sea Vista, KwaNomzamo, and Kruisfontein.
Propella brings a structured approach to equipping participants with business acumen, ensuring they can turn their creative skills into viable enterprises. To enhance the technical aspect of the programme, Propella has partnered with Nanotek, an ICT entrepreneur and a Propella ICT alumnus, Jonathan Kettledas, who was incubated by Propella in 2020.
Programme Structure and Impact
Throughout the 8-month programme, participants will gain foundational coding skills (low-code to no-code), develop entrepreneurial confidence through business training, and receive DigiTech training to bridge information gaps. Additionally, participants will be connected to industry opportunities to market their services and grow their creative ventures. “Our goal is to not only equip young creatives with the necessary technical skills but also to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset that allows them to build sustainable careers in multimedia,” said Propella Business Incubation Manager, Masa Mlamla. “With KWFCDT’s community-driven vision and Nanotek’s expertise, we are excited to bridge the gap between creativity, technology, and business in the KWFCDT beneficiary communities.”
Building Sustainable Opportunities
KWFCDT has long been a driving force in community upliftment, investing in programmes that create sustainable opportunities. The Multi-Media Creators Programme builds on this legacy by offering young creatives the tools to tell impactful stories through photography, videography, developing professional digital content, and exploring entrepreneurship in the digital space. “The Kouga Windfarm Community Development Trust is excited about the partnership with Propella Business Incubator in the Multimedia Creators Programme and its envisaged intent to promote an entrepreneurial mindset among the creatives in our priority communities. The Enterprise Development Pillar of the KWFCDT aims to accelerate and support local enterprises to generate revenue, create, and sustain gainful employment opportunities,” says Kouga Windfarm Community Development Trust’s Projects Operations Officer.
At its core, the partnership between Propella Business Incubator and KWFCDT aims to empower the youth of Umzamowethu, Sea Vista, KwaNomzamo, and Kruisfontein to become self-sufficient digital entrepreneurs. By merging creativity, technology, and business skills, the Multi-Media Creators Programme will not only catalyse economic transformation but also empower young creators to secure sustainable livelihoods and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
