- Thabang Moleya has worked on acclaimed projects like Gomora and Soon Comes Night.
- As a co-founder of Seriti Films, he has helped develop the careers of TV crew members.
- He counts his biggest achievements as mentoring young minds and the success of his first film.
- Almost 12 years sober, Thabang advocates for men's mental health.
Thabang Moleya’s directorial showreel is as impressive as it is extensive.
Kicking off his career in entertainment as a presenter on M-Net’s children’s platform K-TV, the filmmaker has risen in the television ranks to directing and producing major series like Netflix's Soon Comes Night and the upcoming Code 13 starring Lunathi Mampofu and box office films Mzansi has fallen in love with.
From long-running drama series like Jacob’s Cross to films Happiness Is a Four-Letter Word and its sequel Happiness Ever After, Thabang’s journey took him from the humble township of Tembisa, Gauteng, to founding arguably one of the country’s most successful production studios.
Thabang established Seriti Films alongside executive creative director Kutlwano Ditsele and executive producer Leanne Kumalo in 2017, bringing to South Africa a host of award-winning adverts, television series and film productions.
A career in television more than 20 years in the making
Before joining forces and building their production company, Thabang began his career in showbusiness studying film and television production techniques at City Varsity in Cape Town.
Speaking to TRUELOVE, he tells us more about his journey in television.
“So, I’ve been in the industry just over 20 years. I started off in front of the camera as a presenter and then over the time I’ve moved behind the camera. I’ve worked on amazing shows [like] Jacob’s Cross, Zone 14, Jozi-H, Sokhulu and Partners. And then I got to a point in my life where I realised that it’s time to take a leap of faith and to open up my own production house.”
Thabang prides himself and Seriti Films as figures championing the telling of local stories and developing young creatives.
“We’ve grown immensely over the time. We’ve given a platform for undiscovered new talent to be on the screens; opened up the doors for people that are trying to break into the industry. Also, [we've] developed a lot of people behind the scenes. Crew members who have worked their way up into different levels and positions.
“So, yeah, it’s part of what we stand for at Seriti Films. We are part of growing other people and seeing other people develop and shine and also just a company that really believes in telling very compelling South African stories for the country, for the continent, and for the world,” he shares.
Since its inception, the company has had many popular shows under its wing. Thabang explains, “Well, Seriti Films has been running for six years. In the six years we’ve done a few dramas: The Herd season one and season two, The Imposter season two. Redemption, which was a telenovela for BET and a co-production between Seriti Films and Burnt Onion.”
Sunday 14th, at 8pm only on Mzansi Magic. Tune into what I believe is my best series work to date. #Code13 #SeritiStudios pic.twitter.com/RxH2nVGe9s
— Thabang Moleya (@Teabag_Moleya) March 30, 2024
Shaping young minds and moving through lenses
His trajectory in the entertainment scene started at just 22 years old. Now at 41, Thabang has several accomplishments and distinguished nominations under his belt.
Such achievements include an International Emmy nomination for Sokhulu and Partners, directing U.S. TV series Professionals starring George of the Jungle star Brendan Fraser, as well as having the privilege of being one of the youngest directors to compete in the Africa Film Festival in Milan, Italy.
Describing his biggest achievements to date, Thabang says, “Mentoring. I’ve mentored quite a few young filmmakers. I get a lot of joy from being able to develop – or help develop – very young individuals who are very passionate about the industry.
“And also, my first movie. I think Happiness Is a Four-Letter Word was a ground-breaking movie that did exceptionally well at the box office and it exceeded expectations, and it broke the notion that Black people don’t go to cinema when we actually do.”
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With such popular films and TV shows on his radar while currently wrapping up filming of Gomora’s final season, it comes as no surprise to find out how jam packed his schedule usually is.
When it comes to a typical day in the world of Thabang Moleya, he explains, “Well, it depends. If I’m shooting, I’m up at 04:30, get picked up at around 05:30. I’m on set by 06:00, have breakfast, shoot the whole day until the sun goes down. Go to gym, look at the next day, prep for the next day and then continue that for however long the duration of the shoot is.
“If I’m not in production, then my days are a lot easier. But that means I’m looking for more stories, I’m trying to develop stories, I’m working on stories that I can pitch to streamers. And in my off time I try to spend time with my family and, most importantly, I try and rest because this is a very demanding industry, and it can really take a strain on you.”
Advocating for men's mental health
Taking breaks and caring for his mental and physical health is instrumental to Thabang, as seen with the maintenance of his almost-12-year sobriety.
11 years sober from alcohol and substances. Not a drop not a sniff. Grateful to those who fought for my life even when I didn’t feel like living. It’s a journey, one day at a time. ??????
— Thabang Moleya (@Teabag_Moleya) May 15, 2023
When it comes to mental health, he leaves us with a few words on the state of our society and cultivating an environment for men to be open about their struggles.
“I don’t think we’re in a society where men allow themselves to be vulnerable, to be open. There’s a lot of introspection that we have to do as men, to be better people, to be better partners, fathers, sons, brothers. And I think it’s definitely showing in how young men are not able to find a platform to say what’s going on for them.
“And I also think it’s also part of gender-based violence and why we have a society that is so cruel, and we have such vicious and grueling crimes towards women and children. There’s a whole ecosystem of healing that needs to happen and you can’t heal a nation without healing the home first.”
