Odirile Mekwa Acquires A Stake In TV Production Company, Quizzical Pictures
Odirile Mekwa Acquires A Stake In TV Production Company, Quizzical Pictures. Quizzical Pictures, one of South Africa’s most celebrated film and television production companies is on the move. The company is now 71% black owned, with Odirile Mekwa buying into the company and taking over as Managing Director.
Odirile Mekwa, a chartered accountant by training, has worked with Quizzical on and off for many years as the financial director of the company. He will now run the company, and come on board as a director and shareholder. Odirile stepped back in when the company sadly lost its previous COO and Financial Manager to COVID-19, and he has helped steady the company through the pandemic. He is well placed to lead the company into the future.
“These are most exciting times for African content producers. There is a growing appetite for our stories,” says Mekwa. Chairman of the Board and majority shareholder in Quizzical Pictures is Andile Khumalo who acquired MSG Afrika’s shareholding in Quizzical Pictures back in 2020. Andile is a seasoned Entrepreneur, and Chairman of Brave Group, Immersion Group, Ince, and the founder of I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR. As a former shareholder and director of MSG, he has been associated with Quizzical Pictures for over fifteen years.
The balance of the company is owned by founders Harriet Gavshon and David Jammy who owns a small strategic stake. Harriet Gavshon, who has run the company for 28 years will take on a new role as Creative Director. This will allow her more time to focus on the quality of the work as it becomes more complex. It also means that she can produce some of their larger projects. “I am excited about our upcoming slate of co-productions and projects and delighted to have the space to give them the attention they deserve.” says Gavshon. Quizzical has several international and local drama production and co-productions in pre-production and more down the pipeline.
Mekwa goes on to say: “The last few years have seen Quizzical Pictures, and our peers integrate into an increasingly global television and film marketplace. This development is transforming our industry and business practices at a fast pace. This growth makes us very excited for the future as it affords us the opportunity to share our ever-improving expertise and storytelling with our traditional customer base, and now also with business partners from across borders and continents.” The balance of the excellent management team consists of JP Potgieter as Senior Producer and Nimrod Geva who is Head of Development and is joined by Kwena Ngoasheng as Financial Manager.
