EDDIE MBALO - FOUNDER OF KHALIPHA CONSULTING

Khalipha Eddie Mbalo served as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), a statutory body within the Ministry of Arts and Culture (2001 – 2011), where he was responsible for the development of South African cinema. During this period he delivered unqualified audits for every year he was in charge.He began his media career in the early 80’s as a young student activist and later set up his own production company (1984), servicing high-profile foreign agencies such as ABC News and World Wide Television News (WTN).Mbalo trained as a television engineer at the NHK Institute in Japan. He had his popular documentaries shown by the SABC and produced Top Level, which later became The Felicia Mabuza Suttle Show for the SABC.In 1998, Eddie joined e.TV as its first Head of Current Affairs and is best known for his Current Affairs show, e.Files. He became involved in industry governance, playing a critical role in drafting the Broadcasting Act as well as shaping the content development arena in South Africa.His dedication to the film industry has been recognized by the Avanti Awards, the US-based Genesis Awards, and the Newtown Film and Television School. At the 64th Cannes International Film Festival in 2011, Mbalo received an African Vision Award by the Hollywood Reporter in association with Agoralumiere International, for his dedication as a creative defender of African Cinema alongside LUMUMBA star Eriq Ebouaney and journalist Marie- Roger Biloa.Mbalo is currently the Executive Chair of Forefront Media Group and Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer at On Digital Media, the operator of Top TV.