Meet Deborah Samukele Khumalo-Dludla | The Film Producer, Director and Music Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deborah Samukele Khumalo-Dludla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deborah Samukele, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
I want people to remember me as groundbreaking, a trendsetter and the most brilliant and black talented woman who has ever lived from Africa. I want my legacy to be change and impact to everyone I have crossed paths with. I see myself as a cat with many lives. I am an artist, a producer, a film director, a writer, music composer, a vocalist, an academic , a human and civil rights activist. In all these fields I have done fairly well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Film Director and Producer. I have created winning films which carry messages about reality and challenges of people from disadvantaged backgrounds. I become the voice of the voiceless through arts. My films are unique as most of them are inspired by true events. The style of execution is different as it will make you reflect on realities. Unfortunately I was not fortunate to study film, I am a self taught writer, composer, producer, film director, music composer and vocalist. Because of my background I was not fortunate to have it easy as I always have to prove myself three to five times more to prove my talent. However I am a professional gender practitioner who hold a Masters Degree and currently a PhD candidate with University of Pretoria in South Africa.

It was very hard to get where i am today. This craft requires a lot of funding, and with talent alone you do not go anywhere. I have broken those boundaries and created films that are world class recognized. The biggest challenge is funding. Funding for women in Film worse, we have to work three times harder to prove our worth and skill.

I have a dream that one day I will hold an Oscar with my hand. I want the world to know that I am a very rare talent. It is very rare to find someone in one production who is an excellent story teller, a writer, director and producer being able to act on screen, compose music, sing and edit their work. Such a package is very rare. I do wish to be invited to work with big names/artists and producers in LA or United States and collaborate in their projects. I want the world to give me other bigger opportunities in Film and Music. Zenande Films is the next big brand in Africa. One day I wish to own a virtual studio in Africa to tell more stories the best way we know how to and maybe get partnerships to grow our brand in LA and US as well whole.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well as a Tourist in the City, I do not know much but surely I would like to visit the World Trade Centre, the biggest Jazz Festival at the Bowl and maybe get a chance to perfom in one of their stages. I think LA is beautiful . I would welcome invites to learn so much more about the city on my city tour 17-20 June 2024.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a Shout Out to Africa USA Festival saw me winning my first international award for the Best Short Film in 2023. This year, the film festival will take place in Los Angeles at World Trade Centre from 17-20 June 2024. I want to thank my team in South Africa who is behind me and visit to LA in June as I have been nominated for the Best Feature Film in 2024. To all the people living with disabilities – epilepsy, this film is for you. The main character in the film lives with Disability but has excelled.

I give a shout out to my colleagues in the industry who work day in and day out to create magic through storytelling all over the world, keep pushing until you are recognized. I give a shout out to all those women from the Motherland, Africa who have pushed through all odds, the world is your oyster.

I want to give a shout out to my family and friends for all the support, a special thanks to MMPR Group, KZN Film Commission, NFVF, Videovision, fellow artists, jazz vocalists, Zenande Films and everyone who make sure that they support creatives to reach their dreams.

Linkedin: Deborah Samukele Khumalo-Dludla

Facebook: Samke MkDkt Khumalo-Dludla

Other: IMBDI PRO ACCOUNT : DEBORAH SAMUKELE KHUMALO DLUDLA

Image Credits
Samukele Khumalo-Dludla