Home | Entertainment | KWENU - TALENTED CELEBRITY CINEMATOGRAPHER

KWENU - TALENTED CELEBRITY CINEMATOGRAPHER

14/12/2019 00:56:00 BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA

Font size:

If you spot a posh and nicely shot music video of an artist or their lovely pictures, it is probably Direktor Kwenu.

The ever humble talent who is one of the best cinematographers in the country, has done amazing work for many A-listers in the country.
An example of his amazing works is Symphony. He has been doing amazing pictures for her that she has been using for her music career all year round.
Kwenu let GCWALA into his world.

Who is Kwenu?

My name is Mzwandile Kunene aka Direktor Kwenu. I was born and raised in Mbabane, Nkwalini Zone 2. I obtained my primary education at St Francis and All Saints Primary schools, and later went to St Francis High School. I studied and obtained a Civil Engineering Degree at the Eswatini College of Technology (ECOT) in 2012. I currently reside in Dalriach East, Mbabane.

Photography... How did that become your career?
Growing up poor in Nkwalini Zone 2, I had a friend (Banele Nhlabatsi) who was ‘mad crazy’ with computers and owned one. When we were in high school, he had a good phone (model of that time) which we would use to take pictures of anyone and anything then edit them on his computer. We decided to start charging people small amounts of money for every photo shot and edited. His brother, who studied at UNESWA at the time, bought him a small Canon digital camera and that was a game changer for the both of us. We shot pictures every day for people, of ourselves and everything we came across. Fast forward to 2012, when I graduated, I then started a company with him (Banele), it didn’t work very well, we separated then I continued the journey and here I am today.

I have shot and directed numerous music videos since then. Seven of them were nominated and three won;
l     Tihlabani Awards (2013) - Mijo, UngaJumpisi
l     MTN SWAMA Awards (2018) - Lyrikal Busta, Dance For Mi
l     MTN SWAMA awards (2019) - Lyrikal Busta, iNumber

Cinematography (video taking)... How did that all come about in your life? Please tell us in full.
In 2008, I was just playing around with a new camera that I had in college. A friend of mine asked me to shoot a mini music video for him I was clearly an amateur at that time but I agreed. That video to my surprise was played on Eswatini TV and from that day on I was never the same. I did every research and studying I could find relating to film, videos, editing, I mean everything. When I watch that video today I always laugh at myself how crazy I was to believe in such but it made a difference such that now I am celebrated everywhere.

How have you made sure that you develop your skills such that they enhance and/or promote the entertainment industry in the country?
I am always comparing myself with other international industry game changers to merge my work with. That is why when I release a project, it is of international standard, and another thing, I make sure I do mine in a different Eswatini way.

Which artists have you worked with and what value have you added in their lives?
I have worked with a lot of artists in the country and outside the country, if I may start counting everyone the list will be long. I can say most of the artists in the kingdom have worked with me. Some, their projects have not yet been released and some already have.

Maybe just to include a few; Symphony, LCBizzy, Lyrikal Busta, EimsoflY, Popzin, Miss Trophy, Mr Kangaroo, Flameboy Universe, Mala Triggerson, Khole, Lomasoul, Msimisi, Linda Dlamini, Sifiso M, KrTC, Nomalungelo, Linda M, Sasha, Makhush (SA), Jay Spitter (SA), Harmony (SA), Make Shelangubo (SA), Slang G (SA), King B (SA), Kay Kay (SA), Mpumi Mhlanga (SA), Thulas Mtshali (SA), Larry (SA), Carrie (SA), etc.

When it comes to image and branding, my company and I have added so much value to all the artists and they are really happy.

Currently, which project you have done that you are most proud of?
I’m proud of all projects especially because I took my time and passion doing them so I can’t specifically say which one I am more proud of. If it is a Motion Skies Pictures’ project just know I’m proud of that one.

Direktor Kwenu, Motion Skies... What clicks in your mind when you hear those names? What future do you have for them?
When I hear those names in my mind I see a game changer, the visions and plans that I have will change the industry in the country forever.. In the future I see people coming from all over Africa for production in the kingdom.

Besides cinematography, what are your other unknown talents?
Playing football, I used to play soccer full-time. I left it when I was playing under the B Division in Mbabane, I played it my entire tertiary life.

If you were not in this field, what would you have opted for?
Being an architect, I love structures and I know how to design buildings too.