A boarding school is not just about extravagance; it is about immersing oneself in a newfound sense of freedom and carving out a home away from home in the name of education. This was the case for Nkeke Funani, for whom boarding school was an opportunity to flourish while pursuing knowledge.
By Noko Mashilo
From the young age of three, Nkeke Funani, now 42, was already immersed in the structured environment of a boarding school, where care and guidance were provided by her caregiver and teacher, Mma Benson.
Mma Benson played a pivotal role in shaping Nkeke’s character and instilling a sense of discipline that would serve her well throughout her academic journey. Despite the challenges of being away from home at such a young age, Nkeke thrived in the boarding school environment, learning to navigate the complexities of communal living and academic rigour.
This early experience laid the foundation for her future success and independence, proving that boarding schools can offer more than just luxury – they can provide invaluable life lessons and opportunities for personal growth.
“I used to be a lead singer in school musical performances and also enjoyed drawing and painting. I started attending boarding school at Mma Benson’s nursery when I was three years old and stayed there until I was eight, before transferring to another boarding school,” explained Nkeke, who hails from Medigen village in Kgapane, Limpopo.
Nkeke said that she lived in a boarding school until she reached grade 9: “In grade 10, I began attending a day school and commuting from home. However, living in a boarding school environment taught me independence. I learned to rely on myself for tasks like painting rooms, fixing lights, and changing bulbs. If something needed fixing, I would take care of it.”
After completing grade 12, she studied fine art and graphic design at Johannesburg Art Foundation and College Campus. She later joined Multichoice as a customer services for two years followed by Nedbank where she worked as a consultant in the retention department.
“The two positions were focused on product-related tasks; however, I gained a deeper understanding of customer relations, a skill set that exceeded the company’s initial expectations for the role.”
She moved from working at Nedbank to becoming a project manager at Moyeni Maintenance, a construction company in Mafikeng, North West. In her role, she oversaw building construction projects and gained important skills in project planning, budgeting, and implementation during her one-year tenure.
With her experience at Moyeni under her belt, Nkeke was ready to take on a new challenge at the SABC. She was determined to bring her skills and knowledge to the renowned broadcasting company and make a positive impact in the industry. Her time at Moyeni had prepared her well for this next step in her career.
“I recognised the importance of assisting individuals in the entertainment industry who are unable to help themselves. I observed their struggles and how some, despite being expected to be well-off, were facing challenges with basic life issues. They were unprepared for the challenges they encountered.
“In my view, SABC’s role was to educate and provide support, as they can bring about change. I aspired to be a part of this change, initially aiming to do so through artist management. I believed that by working at SABC, I would have the opportunity to empower artists to handle fame and success, enabling them to lead better lives.”
Despite facing initial setbacks in her pursuit of a career at SABC, her determination led her to enrol at Intec College in 2008 to study television production. This decision marked the beginning of her journey towards achieving her goal and paved the way for future opportunities in the industry.
“This was the moment when I had the chance to participate in an in-house training program at the SABC. During my internship, I focused on various aspects of production such as writing, operating cameras, studio vision mixing, sound, assisting in production, and editing.
“Following my internship, I was offered a contract as a vision mixer for sports. In addition to my role as a vision mixer, I also volunteered for sports programming on shows like Soccer Zone, Soccer411, and live soccer matches for four months. This experience allowed me to gain insight into the intricacies of sports programming.”
Her dedication and hard work in the sports department did not go unnoticed, and as a result, she was offered a job.
“I transitioned from my role as a vision mixer to a new position where I handled bookings for presenters, cameras, DOPs, catering, drivers, and hotel accommodations for nine months. I then moved on to my current permanent role as a Project Executive in sports sales in 2011. In this role, I oversee sponsorship for sports shows on both Radio and TV at SABC.
“I ensure that all projects, such as advertisements and contracts, are in line with SABC’s goals, vision, and values, and that they meet quality, scope, budget, and time expectations. Additionally, I liaise with stakeholders to confirm that a specific client will be featured on air at a designated time.”
When Nkeke is not overseeing sponsorships at SABC, she oversees Imba Films, a production company she co-founded with her husband, Wandile Funani. Together, their goal is to provide opportunities for individuals from marginalized communities to break into the entertainment industry.
“Our objective is to support individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry by addressing the challenges they may face. Our organisation serves as a bridge for aspiring talents, offering crucial guidance and information needed for success in this competitive field. To better assist them, we have established separate divisions focusing on music, television, and radio respectively.”
Furthermore, she mentioned that their music department has recorded artists hailing from underprivileged regions, such as World music/Afro Soul vocalist Skhalo, with internally sourced funding. These artists are meticulously curated, and their music is prepared for distribution across broadcast and digital platforms, facilitating broader access to their musical works.
“We ensure that our artists’ music is played on different radio stations, providing them with exposure. My husband, who is a concept creator and music composer, oversees the television productions. While he used to handle writing, editing, and producing, we have delegated these tasks to others to train them in these skills. This allows them to create finished products that are engaging and watchable. In addition to television, we also work on dramas, movies, and documentaries.”
For radio, they develop ideas and host them. Therefore, it’s not unexpected to find out that Nkeke hosted Building Africa with Love on Channel Africa for five years until the contract concluded in 2022. The show aired every Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. to empower and inspire African children. Nkeke said, “We aimed to educate African children about their heritage.”
Nkeke established Imbanyana Fashions within Imba Films, marking a new chapter in the company’s history. The fashion division came to life in November 2023, arising from Nkeke’s decision to purchase a sewing machine for her 11-year-old daughter, Likuwe. From this simple act, a creative and inspiring venture was born.
“Likuwe is a talented artist who enjoys drawing and designing. To support her passion, I purchased a sewing machine for her so she could create the things she loves. Together, we started making bags, which led us to showcase our work at the Proudly SA Summit in March with the support of ABSA.
“Our bags are designed to suit every season – summer, winter, autumn, and spring. Each bag is unique and artistic, like a canvas, with colours ranging from black, yellow, and green. Black illustrates people, green represents the land, and yellow signifies wealth. The creativity and quality of our bags have attracted numerous orders since January. Our aim is for every household to own one of our creations.”
Nkeke, with her natural musical abilities and love for Afro Jazz and Afro Soul, released a beautiful 13-track album called Versatile in 2018. The album features heartfelt lyrics in IsiXhosa and English, highlighting her diverse singing talents and impressive songwriting skills.
Despite obstacles during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nkeke is committed to sharing her music through radio airplay on different SABC stations and live shows with her band. The rhythmic tunes of Versatile still connect with audiences, adding a soulful element to each performance.
She also mentioned that her music centres on African identity. The first track, Mzontsundu/Blackman, emphasizes self-awareness and empowerment, urging listeners to recognize their greatness as descendants of strong ancestors. Another song, African God on Libya, serves as a lament. Nkeke believes that there is a suitable song for every situation, such as a birth, each with its own significance. Her voice carries emotional depth, evoking a spiritual connection that draws listeners in.