Behind the scenes

DUSCHANKA HITZEROTH

A LADDER of adversities to climb proved to be no challenge for determined Ntuthuko Mtshali (30) of eSikhawini, now a prominent television director in Johannesburg.

Awarded by the South African Film and Television Academy for his work on Khumbul’Ekhaya alongside a Channel O Award in 2008 with DJ Cleo, Ntuthuko has recently been nominated for ‘Most Gifted Video’ on Channel O with DJ Tira.

Assisting on the internationally acclaimed film ‘District 9’, he is now directing the second season of Kabelo’s Boot Camp, aired every Wednesday on Mzansi Magic Channel 161.

The show aimed at weight loss and holistically changing the lifestyles of people, recruits 10 contestants and follows their journey through the challenge. Every week someone is eliminated and 13 weeks later a winner is crowned.

Born and raised in a single parent home, Ntuthuko matriculated from Tisand Technical High and enrolled at Boston Media House in Sandton Johannesburg. Owing to financial difficulties Ntuthuko dropped out in his second year and started waiting tables at a local restaurant.

‘One day my friend Zolani Phakade hooked me up with job as a personal assistant on eTV’s Scandal. I was good at what I did and got promoted to second assistant director, soon enough I became first assistant director,’ he said.

Working as an assistant director for dramas like Tshatsha, Hard Copy and countless music videos, Ntuthuko fast became the talk of the town and was scooped up by Urban Brew as the as director of various SABC shows.

Passionate about his career, Ntuthuko owes his love for the film industry to his church back home, Covenant Fellowship.

‘As a teenage member of the church, we participated in a lot of entertainment events and our teacher Khetsa Dlamini introduced us to different career paths in the industry, I happened to fall in love with film,’ he said.

However, the only time ‘success’ comes before ‘work’ is in the dictionary.

‘My job has challenges. Such as running at 5am six days a week,’ he said.

‘It is very challenging directing a reality show because you never know how people are going to respond to your direction. Despite being the director, you have to take on the role of psychologist, friend, motivator and mentor in a way,’ he added.

Ntuthuko is in the process of establishing his company ‘Yothela Films’ and plans to ‘pay it forward’ by working with local talent.

‘I miss home. People are very friendly and have Ubuntu KwaZulu unlike Jozi,’ he said.

‘It is unbelievable that I now buy avos, mangos, paw-paws and bananas when I used to pick those from trees on my way to school,’ he added.