Post-democratic South Africa has seen an increasing number of young entrepreneurs infiltrating many lucrative business sectors like mining, ICT, transportation and media. These entrepreneurs who’ve come from previously disadvantaged groups might be young players in those industries for now, but they seem to have discovered success secrets that will not only make a profit for themselves, but also transform those industries and contribute to the South African economy.

Some of those entrepreneurs include Johannesburg-based serial entrepreneur, Activator and marketing scholar, Herbert Njabulo Sibanda and author, photographer and independent record label founder Menzie Mathe. The duo founded the Gauteng-based Film and Television extras casting agency, SuperNova Castings.

The four year old business, SuperNova Castings, has three full-time operational staff members and over 3000 registered artists. The company provides local drama series, soapies and films with extras and featured actors and actresses.

Sibanda and Mathe aim to bridge the gap between film and television content producers, production companies and create a sustainable direct entrance platform for local emerging film and television practitioners. “The inspiration to start an actors and extras agency was born from the struggles I faced myself while trying to break into the industry. I saw so many loopholes and opportunities that I decided to do something about it”, said Sibanda.

SuperNova Castings has worked with world renowned production companies Quizzical Pictures (which produces shows like Rhythm City, Inumber number, Umlilo, Tsha Tsha, Hopeville, Intersexions I & II) and Clive Morris Productions (which produces shows like 50/50, Ashes To Ashes etc.) and Bomb Productions which produces shows like (Isibaya, Jacobs’s cross, Zone 14, Soul Buddyz etc.).  The company also does talent photoshoots for various media and entertainment industry clients.

Revered Film and Television industry experts who have worked with SuperNova Castings have always commended the casting agency’s philosophy; deep knowledge and consistent top class work ethics standards.  

Sibanda said his film and Television entrepreneurial journey had a lot of fierce challenges. “I have faced a number of big challenges which I relish because of the lessons and strives they brought me. Some of those challenges include big productions not trusting enough that we can deliver and sometimes prominent artists not taking us seriously”, said Sibanda.

Sibanda attributes his entrepreneurship success to support of civil society organizations like the ACTIVATE! Network’s business wing training program (Switch training). Sibanda said being surrounded by like-minded young business leaders at Switch encouraged him to work even harder and assurance that there are other young entrepreneurs and organisations that will always help him whenever they can. “Being part of network like ACTIVATE! Change Drivers has helped immensely. Switch has provided me with real business world practical tools to transform my business concept into real operational profit making business”, said Sibanda.

Part of Sibanda’s bigger plans include opening branches in other cities and grow SuperNova Castings to be one of the most prominent actors and extras agencies in the African continent.

According to Sibanda, entrepreneurial opportunities for growth in film and television are great with lot of high profitable avenues to explore. He also encouraged aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs to consider getting into the film and television business sector. “Now is the perfect time for young entrepreneurs to get into the film and television industry. The only challenge, however,  is to attract and keep the top notch talent that you can supply this ever-changing industry. At SuperNova Castings we decided to use effective, efficient traditional marketing strategies (like business cards, networking sessions, recommendation letters, branded T-shirts, fliers & posters) and social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

SuperNova Castings is based at number 69 Millbourne Street, Bertrams in Johannesburg. Those who want to contact the agency can send emails to supernovacastings@gmail.com or call them at Herbert on 079 557 9284 or 074 670 0158. Alternative via the agency’s social media platforms Twitter @supernovacastings  –  Facebook – SuperNova Castings or Instagram @SuperNova Castings.

Sibanda is currently pursuing a qualification in Marketing Management. He also has printing and branding pop-up store (Dope Spirit) in the Johannesburg famous Maboneng Precinct.

Post-democratic South Africa has seen an increasing number of young entrepreneurs infiltrating many lucrative business sectors like mining, ICT, transportation and media. These entrepreneurs who’ve come from previously disadvantaged groups might be young players in those industries for now, but they seem to have discovered success secrets that will not only make a profit for themselves, but also transform those industries and contribute to the South African economy.

Some of those entrepreneurs include Johannesburg-based serial entrepreneur, Activator and marketing scholar, Herbert Njabulo Sibanda and author, photographer and independent record label founder Menzie Mathe. The duo founded the Gauteng-based Film and Television extras casting agency, SuperNova Castings.

The four year old business, SuperNova Castings, has three full-time operational staff members and over 3000 registered artists. The company provides local drama series, soapies and films with extras and featured actors and actresses.

Sibanda and Mathe aim to bridge the gap between film and television content producers, production companies and create a sustainable direct entrance platform for local emerging film and television practitioners. “The inspiration to start an actors and extras agency was born from the struggles I faced myself while trying to break into the industry. I saw so many loopholes and opportunities that I decided to do something about it”, said Sibanda.

SuperNova Castings has worked with world renowned production companies Quizzical Pictures (which produces shows like Rhythm City, Inumber number, Umlilo, Tsha Tsha, Hopeville, Intersexions I & II) and Clive Morris Productions (which produces shows like 50/50, Ashes To Ashes etc.) and Bomb Productions which produces shows like (Isibaya, Jacobs’s cross, Zone 14, Soul Buddyz etc.).  The company also does talent photoshoots for various media and entertainment industry clients.

Revered Film and Television industry experts who have worked with SuperNova Castings have always commended the casting agency’s philosophy; deep knowledge and consistent top class work ethics standards.  

Sibanda said his film and Television entrepreneurial journey had a lot of fierce challenges. “I have faced a number of big challenges which I relish because of the lessons and strives they brought me. Some of those challenges include big productions not trusting enough that we can deliver and sometimes prominent artists not taking us seriously”, said Sibanda.

Sibanda attributes his entrepreneurship success to support of civil society organizations like the ACTIVATE! Network’s business wing training program (Switch training). Sibanda said being surrounded by like-minded young business leaders at Switch encouraged him to work even harder and assurance that there are other young entrepreneurs and organisations that will always help him whenever they can. “Being part of network like ACTIVATE! Change Drivers has helped immensely. Switch has provided me with real business world practical tools to transform my business concept into real operational profit making business”, said Sibanda.

Part of Sibanda’s bigger plans include opening branches in other cities and grow SuperNova Castings to be one of the most prominent actors and extras agencies in the African continent.

According to Sibanda, entrepreneurial opportunities for growth in film and television are great with lot of high profitable avenues to explore. He also encouraged aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs to consider getting into the film and television business sector. “Now is the perfect time for young entrepreneurs to get into the film and television industry. The only challenge, however,  is to attract and keep the top notch talent that you can supply this ever-changing industry. At SuperNova Castings we decided to use effective, efficient traditional marketing strategies (like business cards, networking sessions, recommendation letters, branded T-shirts, fliers & posters) and social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

SuperNova Castings is based at number 69 Millbourne Street, Bertrams in Johannesburg. Those who want to contact the agency can send emails to supernovacastings@gmail.com or call them at Herbert on 079 557 9284 or 074 670 0158. Alternative via the agency’s social media platforms Twitter @supernovacastings  –  Facebook – SuperNova Castings or Instagram @SuperNova Castings.

Sibanda is currently pursuing a qualification in Marketing Management. He also has printing and branding pop-up store (Dope Spirit) in the Johannesburg famous Maboneng Precinct.