Deaf film producer and author leads new internship programme
- Wits University
Personal and community experiences inform the work of this multi-talented Deaf culture advocate.
Nenio Mbazima, a video producer at the Centre for Deaf Studies at Wits University, is the project lead of the groundbreaking Film Production Internship for Deaf youth. Launched in September, the internship programme will train 15 Deaf youth thus contributing to the artistic expression of the Deaf community.
Mbazima has 23 years in film production and is a three times literature award-winning author of Strong Winds, a book based on his life from birth, contracting meningitis at the age of 10 years which left him deaf. The book is full of suspense, humour and drama.
Wits Communications spoke to him about his journey and the new Film Production Internship for Deaf youth.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
My full names are Nenio Makhosini Mbazima. The name Nenio is Spanish derived from El Niño whichmeans “theboy”, and refers to Christ the Child, because El Niño usually happens around Christmas. ElNiño causes strong winds, also my book title. Makhosini is a Swazi name originally used to refer to ‘The Mountains where Kings are buried’. I was named after my maternal grandfather from Ntfonjeni in Swaziland. I am one of eight children, seven boys and one girl.
You contracted meningitis at 10 years and lost your hearing, how did this impact your life?
You will find it strange that I’m glad that I became deaf. Most people die from meningitis but I didn’t. I was given a second chance in life and I grabbed it with both hands. It wasn’t always easy – I was angry initially, but I embraced my deafness.
My early schooling years were a challenge as I was not provided with a sign language interpreter in class, which wasn’t surprising given that I was the only Deaf learner in a mainstream school. It was challenging—when teachers gave instructions, I often missed out on a lot. However, my classmates were incredibly supportive. They let me copy their notes and welcomed me into their study groups. Over time, they even learned how to communicate with me, which made a huge difference.
Through the encouragement of friends, I later earned a certificate in TV productions and theory at Wits.
Please tell us more about your work at the Centre and the impact?
As a video producer, I am responsible for conceptualising content that needs to be transformed into videos. This includes creating educational material, translating resources into South African Sign Language, and ensuring that Deaf individuals have equal access to information and education. My work involves collaborating with educators, linguists, and Deaf community members to ensure that the content is accurate, engaging, and culturally relevant. The impact has been profound, as these resources help bridge communication gaps, promote inclusivity, and empower Deaf individuals by providing them with accessible learning tools and media content in their own language.
What are your thoughts on Deaf Art?
Deaf Art is a powerful and unique expression of Deaf culture and identity. It allows Deaf artists to communicate their experiences, emotions, and perspectives in a visual language that transcends spoken words. Through their art, they can challenge societal perceptions, celebrate Deaf pride, and raise awareness about the beauty and richness of sign language and Deaf culture.
Deaf Art also serves as a means of advocacy, breaking down barriers and fostering greater understanding between Deaf and hearing communities.
You are parenting a girl-child. Are there unique challenges in your journey?
When I was a single parent raising my daughter, there were definitely challenges—especially when it came to teaching her about things specific to being a girl. Google became my go-to resource, and I often asked my sister to give her advice. One memory that stands out is when she was around 3 or 4 years old (she’s 15 now). There were times when she would get frustrated because I couldn't hear her, and after asking her to repeat herself a few times, she’d lose her patience and kick or slap me! I found it amusing at the time, though, because it was her way of dealing with the frustration. Eventually, she realised that daddy couldn’t hear, and that’s when she began to develop her own version of sign language to communicate with me. That’s when we truly began to understand each other better.
Anything else that you would like to add?
The internship will culminate in a short-film which will premiere at the Deaf Film and Art Festival scheduled for March 2025 hosted by the Centre with support from a grant by the National Lotteries Commission.
The Festival will celebrate the unique nature of Deaf art, theatre, literature and humour through an array of live exhibitions, short films and hands-on presentations and workshops by national and international Deaf experts.
I am also hopeful that by the end of this project, the 15 Deaf youth will return to their communities and establish their own small businesses as video producers, offering services to film events like weddings, parties, and other special occasions. My goal is for them to not only gain entrepreneurial skills but also be able to find employment in video production companies, where their Deafness will not be seen as a limitation, but rather as an asset. Through this project, I want them to have the confidence and skills to thrive in the media industry and contribute to greater inclusivity in the workforce.