He has an award-winning career as a creative director in advertising, and as a director of music videos and TV series. Now Mpumi Mbele’s documentary about Ladysmith Black Mambazo is making headlines  

Soweto-born film director Mpumi Mbele is unlikely to forget the year 2023. His  documentary Music Is My Life, about the late Joseph Shabalala, founder and frontman of the Grammy-winning isicathamiya acapella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, had been screened to acclaim all over the world at international film festivals.   

In October last year, Mpumi made history when his film was selected as South Africa’s official submission for this year’s Academy Awards – in the category of Best International Feature (the same category Tsotsi won in 2006, then called ‘Foreign Language Film’). It was a milestone because the NFVF (National Film & Video Foundation) had never before submitted a documentary for Oscar consideration.   

Legend in the making

Music Is My Life made it to the shortlist, which features only 15 nominees selected out of 100 entries from around the world. Although it did not make it to the final five nominees, Mpumi is still thrilled.   

“I’m still grasping the feeling about our submission being approved… I was telling a friend the other day that I feel partly like Siya Kolisi, who just led our country to the Rugby World Cup,” he told SowetanLIVE. “This moment is one of those you just have to let sink in.”  

He admitted that, considering the musical calibre of Mambazo and Bab’Shabalala, the nod was really to be expected. “I mean, we’re talking about a musical group that scooped multiple awards; they used to fill Madison Square Garden [in New York] back in the day… they were sensational trailblazers.”  

Did you know?
In addition to his filmmaking, Mpumi is also an advocate for youth empowerment and equality.

‘Supa’ stories 

Mpumi, affectionately known as ‘Supa’ in the film and advertising industry, is no stranger to accolades and is already an award-winning director.  

Through his agency, Nine To Five, he has directed commercials for Converse, MTV Base and Channel O, Legit, Nikon and DStv, and music videos for Thandiswa Mazwai and hip-hop act Tumi and the Volume, garnering SAMA, Channel O and Loerie Awards along the way. He also directed episodes for local TV shows Hard Copy (2005), The Lab (2006), Jacob’s Cross (2007) and Isibaya (2013).  

Raised in Pimville, Soweto, Mpumi initially had his sights set on a career in advertising and attended the AAA School in Joburg, and later the Chelsea College of Art & Design’s industrial design course at the New York Film Academy to hone his craft.  

Mpumi says he’s always had a passion for storytelling and has always wanted to work on a project that focused on a great black South African personality.  

He was inspired to focus on Joseph Shabalala by the late Bra Hugh Masekela, who he would often speak to. His nine-year-old son came up with the idea of a film after they both watched Ladysmith Black Mambazo perform live at the Joburg Theatre.  

The success of Music Is My Life is all the sweeter as it was the first documentary Mpumi has directed (he is also credited as executive producer and writer). It took five years to make and “takes viewers on his [Shabalala’s] spiritual and emotional journey”  

“If we’re not telling our stories, we will constantly be stuck in this blame mindset, pity mindset and negative image of ourselves,” Mpumi says.  

“Shabalala rose above the toughest odds, and if he managed to succeed and leave that kind of legacy, not only for his family but the nation, then nothing should stop you from making your dreams a reality.”  

We look forward to seeing ‘Supa’ share more African stories that resonate with us on a deep level, and help move society in the right direction.  

Fast facts

• Mpumi ‘Supa’ Mbele is known for his innovative storytelling.
  
• He first gained widespread recognition for his work on the award-winning short film The Hangman (2017), which explores themes of justice and forgiveness.
  
• His filmmaking style often incorporates elements of magical realism and social commentary, offering unique perspectives on contemporary issues.
  
• Throughout his career, he has collaborated with various artists and organisations to amplify marginalised voices and promote social change through the medium of film.

Words by: Thando Pato
Photography: Supplied