High Commissioner of Rwanda to South Africa, H.E. Emmanuel Hategeka, hosted South African filmmaker Mandla Dube and Meron Demisse, Founder and CEO of Africa Culture Group, at the Rwandan High Commission on 20 August 2026.
The engagement focused on opportunities to strengthen collaboration between the Rwandan and South African film industries, with discussions exploring areas including film screenings, cultural exchange and capacity-building initiatives.
Film as a Platform for Cultural Exchange
The meeting highlighted the important role of film and storytelling in strengthening cultural connections between African countries while creating platforms for audiences to engage with shared histories, experiences and heritage.
Through greater cooperation between Rwanda and South Africa, filmmakers and cultural practitioners have an opportunity to facilitate knowledge exchange, develop creative networks and expand opportunities for African stories to reach wider audiences.
A key focus of the engagement was the upcoming film The Battle of Bisesero, directed by Mandla Dube. The film recounts the courage and resistance of the Tutsi people in Bisesero during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The project represents the significance of film in documenting historical experiences and ensuring that stories of courage, resilience and survival continue to be remembered and shared with future generations.
Strengthening Rwanda–South Africa Creative Cooperation
The discussions also explored practical opportunities for cooperation between the two countries’ creative industries, including film screenings, cultural exchange programmes and capacity-building initiatives.
Such initiatives can contribute to strengthening professional networks while providing filmmakers, producers and other creative practitioners with opportunities to share expertise and experiences.
The engagement further underscored the potential of cultural diplomacy and creative industries to deepen relations between Rwanda and South Africa.
Preserving African Heritage Through Storytelling
The meeting demonstrated how film can serve not only as an entertainment medium but also as a powerful tool for preserving culture, heritage and historical memory.
As Rwanda and South Africa continue to explore opportunities for collaboration in the creative sector, film and storytelling can provide an important platform for promoting greater understanding, cultural exchange and people-to-people connections across the continent.
The engagement between the Rwandan High Commission, Mandla Dube and Africa Culture Group reflects a broader opportunity to use the creative industries to strengthen Rwanda–South Africa relations and amplify African stories through African voices.
