At Vaal EmpowaYouth Week 2026, The SA Film Academy CEO, Lindi Ndebele-Koka, shared an honest look at how the film and creative industry really works.
The truth is, it’s not just about talent.
Yes, skills matter. They help you get your foot in the door. But what keeps you growing in the industry is access, exposure, and the relationships you build along the way.
That’s why The SA Film Academy’s approach goes beyond training.
We focus on equipping young people with practical skills and placing them in real production environments where they can learn by doing. Because some of the most valuable lessons don’t happen in a classroom; they happen on set, in production meetings, and during live projects.
Real growth happens:
* On set
* In production
* In live environments
* Through people
Every project becomes an opportunity to learn, gain experience, and build meaningful industry connections. In the creative industry, your network is often your pipeline to future opportunities.
Vaal EmpowaYouth Week 2026 was a powerful reminder that success is not only about what you know, but also about who you learn from, collaborate with, and grow alongside.
This is how we help young creatives move from learning to working.
