Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Dr Shadrack Bokaba
Dr Bokaba is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), where he leads South Africa’s statutory agency dedicated to the growth, transformation, and global positioning of local film and video industry. His appointment in October 2026 reflects a career defined by visionary leadership, cultural innovation, and a deep commitment to advancing the creative economy.
With more than 25 years of executive experience, Dr Bokaba has held senior roles across the arts and culture sector. He previously served as Acting CEO of the NFVF (2018-2019), where he oversaw groundbreaking initiatives including the BRICS Film Festival in Durban, the establishment of the East London Film Hub, and the signing of South Africa’s Co-Production Treaty with Brazil. His leadership extended to the music sector as Managing Director of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and CEO of the South African Music Education Trust.
An academic and cultural policy scholar, Dr Bokaba, holds a PhD in Cultural Policy and Management from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), and an MBA from the Henley Business School. He is a former Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellow at Wits.
Named Arts and Culture Administrator of the Year at the 2004 Arts and Culture Trust awards, Dr Bokaba is widely respected for his ability to combine strategic vision with operational excellence. At the NFVF, he is committed to strengthening governance, fostering collaboration with filmmakers and industry partners, and positioning South Africa’s film sector as a competitive force on the global stage.
INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
Yolanda Ncokotwana
Yolanda Ncokotwana is the Head of Department (HOD): Industry Development at the NFVF.
Ncokotwana is a TV and film professional. Her experience spans across live productions, documentaries, and scripted content. She began her television career in broadcasting where she worked her way up from the production department to becoming a Commissioning Editor. As a story consultant, she has worked on over 30 titles including multiple award-winning films. As a Development and Production Manager she was responsible for overseeing funding on documentary projects like Buddha in Africa, The Sound of Mask, Skulls of my People, How to Steal a Country, Influence, etc. Ncokotwana is responsible for managing the co-development incentives and has recently spearheaded the Netherland/SA co-development fund and the NFVF/Netflix coproduction initiative.
Ncokotwana is a solid Project Manager who has organised finance forums on behalf of the NFVF and has previously been part of a team that led SABC content strategies for various flagship programmes and international sporting events such as the 2014 FIFA, World Cup, the 2015 Cricket World Cup, 2011/2015 Rugby World Cup and the 2016 RIO Olympic Games.
Ncokotwana holds a BTech degree in Film & Television Production from the Tshwane University of Technology and is currently pursuing a BA in Creative Writing. She has done short courses in Project Management and Customer Service and is an alumnus of the Sediba Producers’ Programme and has participated in many panels locally and internationally including Berlinale and Cannes.
Department focus areas: Production & Development Funding; Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation & Documentary; Skills Development & Training Funding; Co-Production Funding
OPERATIONS
Onke Dumeko
Onke Dumeko is the Head of Department (HOD): Operations at the NFVF.
Armed with more than 10 years’ experience in FMCG, retail, media, publishing and the public sector, Dumeko has cemented her valuable contribution made within diverse industries, as reflected in her uniquely eclectic experience.
As a multi award-winning media maven, her strategic approach to marketing, communications, publishing, partnerships, and production has culminated in her success to-date in her career at organisations such as Colgate Palmolive, Brand South Africa, African Sales, Ndalo Media and The Barleader TV where she serves as the founding editor of the film & tv archive platform, thebar. Magazine. As such, her accolades include being listed in the 2017 Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans and receiving the 2018 Gauteng Government Film & Media Excellence Award.
As a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society, Dumeko holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Economic Science and Marketing and an Honours degree in Marketing from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Aligned with her passion for production and content, she has been serving as the Partnerships & Distribution Manager at the National Film & Video Foundation since January 2021 and was recently appointed as the Head Of Department: Operations.
Department focus areas: Marketing & Distribution Funding, Marketing & Communications, Events, Partnerships, Research, Legal, Policy & Compliance.
