Williams, to assume her role in February, will oversee the creation and development of African original films and series. She will report to Ben Amadasun, Netflix’s vice president for Middle East and Africa Content.

With over 16 years of experience in South Africa’s film and television industry, Kaye-Ann Williams brings a wealth of experience to Netflix. Her career includes roles such as head of Scripted Series and Movies at Prime Video/Amazon Studios, where she focused on South African productions, and vice president of Content at Primedia Studios. 

Williams also previously worked with MultiChoice, where she took part in commissioning and producing local films and series.

Speaking on Williams’ appointment, Amadasun commended her contributions to African television: “Kaye-Ann is a true champion of world-class storytelling and has worked with the best creative talent in South Africa, helping them to create some of the most ambitious projects on African television. I’m delighted to welcome Kaye-Ann to the team as we strengthen our long-term commitment to African storytelling.”

Williams steps into this role following the exit of Tendeka Matatu, who served as Netflix’s director of Local Language Films for Africa for three years. Matatu’s work included productions such as Heart of the Hunter and Kandasamys: The Baby. While his next move is not yet known, Netflix has shown gratitude for his contributions.

Netflix’s leadership change comes as the company reiterates its focus on African content, even in the midst of presumption about the sustainability of international investments in the region. 

Earlier this year, Amazon scaled back its African operations, leading to talks that other streaming platforms might follow suit. However, Netflix has dismissed these fears, stating it is “strengthening its investment in African storytelling,” with Williams’ appointment stressing this position.

Since debuting its first African original series, Queen Sono, in 2020, Netflix has expanded its portfolio. The platform has partnered with notable filmmakers such as Mandla Dube (Silverton Siege), the Ramaphakela siblings (How to Ruin Christmas), and Jayan Moodley (The Kandasamys franchise). 

At the recent MIP Africa event in Cape Town, Netflix unveiled upcoming projects, including a new series titled Blood Legacy from Blood & Water producer Gambit Films, and a reality show, Love Never Lies: South Africa.

Netflix’s focus on African storytelling aligns with its goal to deliver culturally diverse content to its global audience. 

The scholarship fund forms part of Netflix’s global Netflix Creative Equity Fund launched in 2021 to be allocated to various initiatives over the next 5 years.

With a goal to develop a strong, diverse pipeline of creatives around the world, the scholarship fund will cover the costs for tuition, accommodation, study materials and living expenses at institutions where beneficiaries have gained admission to pursue a course of study in the TV & film disciplines in the 2022 academic year.

The Netflix CESF is targeted for rollout across the region in the academic year commencing in 2022, starting with an open call for applications in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, in partnership with social investment fund management and advisory firm Tshikululu Social Investments as implementing partner/fund administrator in Southern Africa. 

Fund administration partners for East Africa and the West and Central Africa regions will be announced in due course.

“Netflix is excited by the potential of the next generation of storytellers and we’re committed to investing in the future of African storytelling in the long-term,” says Ben Amadasun, Netflix director of content, Africa. 

“We believe there are great stories to be told from Africa and we want to play our part by supporting students who are passionate about the film and TV industry so they too, can ultimately contribute to the creative ecosystem by bringing more unique voices and diverse perspectives to African storytelling that our global audiences find appealing.”

Benefits

The Netflix CESF is designed to provide financial assistance, through full scholarships, at partner higher educational institutions (HEI) in South Africa to support the formal qualification and training of aspiring creatives from a SADC region country that wish to study in South Africa, and are able to obtain the necessary permissions to do so. 

Eligibility 

The following countries will be eligible: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In the SADC region, the fund will be available to students who have obtained admission to study in various film & TV-focused disciplines, for the 2022 academic year, at the following partner institutions:

• AACA Film and Acting School 
• AFDA
• Boston Media House 
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) 
• City Varsity 
• Durban University of Technology (DUT) 
• Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
• University of Cape Town (UCT) 
• University of Johannesburg (UJ) 
• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) 
• University of Pretoria (UP) 
• University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) 

Students interested in applying for scholarships for the 2022 academic year will be able to find additional information, application criteria, a list of partner higher education institutions (HEI) and will be able to apply online on the programme’s fund manager and advisory partner, Tshikululu’s website. Applications are now open until Friday, February 4, 2022.

The Netflix CESF will also benefit students from other parts of Africa – particularly East Africa as well as West and Central Africa. Fund administration partners for East Africa and the West and Central Africa regions will be announced, along with the calls for applications, in due course.