Thandiwe Mlauli is a creative with big dreams. The producer, director, writer & illustrator is focused on developing animated stories for African audiences. She is passionate about equalising the playing field for black creatives on the continent and in the world.

One of her many dreams has been realized with the creation of Studio Yezi, an animation studio. It marks Mlauli as the first black woman to build an animation studio in South Africa.

Mlauli’s goal has been years in the making. She graduated with a BFA in Producing for Film & TV from the New York Film Academy. Thandiwe then spent time in Los Angeles studying the international animation industry, and attending influential workshops including the Black Women Animate Bootcamp in 2018, the first of its kind.

”Yezi” is short for “inkanyezi” which means “star” in isiZulu. As a company, we intend to be a symbol of hope and light; we intend to serve the world with our storytelling,” says Thandiwe on the name of her studio.

Thandiwe’s goal is to see Studio Yezi focus on heart-warming local stories, diverse narratives and character representations, as well as nurture and develop fresh talent. 

Their current project includes “Sola”, about the adventures of a young girl who discovers she’s a magician in a world where it’s not safe to be one. On her quest to find the truth, Sola is tracked down by magician hunters and has to learn to use her magic in order to survive this dangerous and deadly world.