I had the incredible honour of delivering a motivational talk at the AFDA PE Alumni Reunion on Thursday evening. It was inspiring to share the evening with fellow alumni, and to see Diaan Lawrenson, CEO of AFDA, and Simon Pienaar, Dean of AFDA, in the audience.
The goal of my talk was simple: to inspire, to remind everyone of the value of perseverance, and to reflect on how our journey continues long after institutional life. I wanted to provoke thought about the small but meaningful actions we take every day to build our creative and professional lives.
The Domino Metaphor
I opened by holding a box of dominoes and sharing a metaphor that has become central to how I view my journey:
“The creative economy often feels like a massive mountain to climb. We don’t always know how to start, or how to keep going. But it’s not about overnight success. It’s about the little things — the dominoes we set up every single day.”
I lined up a few dominoes and toppled them, showing how small, carefully stacked actions create momentum. Each domino represents character, perseverance, and opportunity — without them, the bigger vision cannot stand.
My Domino Story
I shared six “dominoes” that have shaped my journey:
- The Degree (RPL at AFDA) – After being rejected by other universities, AFDA opened the door. Lesson: sometimes the right domino is placed when others fall away.
- First Film & Sacambaya Films – Making my first short film and registering my company. Choosing a thesis topic close to my heart on authentic Deaf characters. Lesson: passion and structure create credibility.
- NFVF Grant – Submitting multiple concepts and seeing one succeed, which led to the creation of ThisAbility. Lesson: persistence and strategy pay off.
- Jeffrey’s Bay Connection – Media exposure, meeting the mayor, and discovering Red Creative Collaboration, tying into the prophetic vision of JBay as the “Hollywood of South Africa.” Lesson: relationships matter more than ideas alone.
- Academic Doors – Presenting at the SACO conference and Netflix Symposium, demonstrating that research and purpose can open doors as wide as creative work itself.
- Shooting the Film in JBay – Collaborating with AFDA alumni (Gemma, Xabi, Lara). Lesson: filmmaking is never a solo act; teamwork builds momentum.
Throughout, I reflected on the detours I’ve taken — from journalism to writing books and columns — and the various roles I wear as director, producer, and actress. It’s taken 15 years of laying foundations to reach this season of my career.
Reflection & Takeaway
I shared a quote from FAME Week that resonates deeply with me:
“Don’t pitch ideas, build relationships.”
I connected it back to the domino metaphor — relationships are the glue that allows momentum to build. My story is not an overnight success; it’s been 15 years of stacking dominoes, day by day, patiently and faithfully.
Prophetic & Interactive Closing
To close, I held up the box of dominoes and invited alumni to take one as a physical reminder:
“Every small step matters. Every relationship, every act of faith, every moment of perseverance is another domino. Stack them daily. Build them faithfully. Watch them fall in the right season.”
I left the audience with a reflective question:
“What domino are you setting up today for your tomorrow?”
It was an unforgettable evening, sharing my journey and connecting with fellow creatives who understand the climb, the dominoes, and the rewards of persistence in the creative economy.
