| Let integrity lead.
| Let integrity lead.
Desiree Markgraaff is a shareholder and managing director at The Bomb Shelter Productions. She has been at the forefront of producing some of South Africa’s most successful television content, including Yizo Yizo, Zone 14, Jacobs Cross, Isibaya, Ayeye and many more. Her content has been celebrated around the world: Amandla-A Revolution in 4 Part Harmony won the coveted Sundance Audience award, Yizo Yizo garnering awards worldwide such as the Japan Prize, as well as an exclusive screening at the Venice Film Festival, Jacobs Cross for creative achievement at the Pan African Film Festival and 3 nominations at the Monte Carlo Festival. Isibaya has scooped up awards three years in a row at the SAFTA’s and achieves the TVR’s (viewership) on the Mzansi Magic platform. Desiree and her partners Angus Gibson and Teboho Mahlatsi are committed to producing world class African content, nurturing local talent and telling South African stories with authenticity and heart. Dating back to 1997 her commitment to social impact content has been seen in Yizo Yizo as well as her multi-award winning television campaign, I’m Addicted to Life, the only South African project invited to the United Nations media conference on drugs. Desiree is a co-founder of Filmmakers against Racism responding to the xenophobic violence with a moving tribute to Ernesto Nhamauve, known as The Burning Man. She has produced over 70 video exhibitions installed at the Apartheid Museum and Liliesleaf Museum, as well as many for the Hector Peterson Museum. She is a council member of the NFVF (National Film and Video Foundation) and Chairperson of the NFVF Fiction committee. She is a Fellow of the third class of the Africa Leadership Initiative-South Africa and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
Thanks to our valued partners and to all the Fellows who continue to contribute in many ways.
