There is fresh blood at ROMANCE. Nthato Mokgata has stepped into commercial filmmaking, joining ROMANCE’s diverse lineup of directing talent. But, calling Nthato a director barely scratches the surface. From pioneering Pan African electronic music as Spoek Mathambo, to winning an Annie Award with his Disney short ‘Surf Sangoma’, and releasing his debut novel ‘Ghost in the Drum’, his work has always defied borders. Now he’s applying that distinctive voice to the world of advertising, opening new possibilities for South African creatives.

“We didn’t bring Nthato on as a Romance director because he fits a mould; we brought him on because he breaks it.”

Nthato is arriving at ROMANCE with more than just a director’s reel, he’s bringing a full creative universe with him. If you’re looking for a crafted story with cultural resonance, humour, and a truly original point of view, there’s a new name you need to brief. “I take what’s raw and real, then stretch it into something fresh, unexpected, and globally resonant. Now I’m ready to do that for brands,” says Nthato.

Nthato Mokgata. Photo Credits: Kent Andreasen (Left); Studio LeGrange (Right)

Executive Producers Helena Woodfine + Rozanne Rocha Gray say, “At Romance, we’ve always believed that the future of compelling commercial work lies in voices that challenge the status quo, and that’s exactly what Nthato brings. His ability to draw from such a rich creative spectrum, from music to film to literature, means he will bring a fresh lens to every brief. In a landscape that often leans on formulas, his instinct to experiment, to subvert, to reimagine, is exactly what brands need right now. We’re thrilled to be part of the next chapter in his evolution, and excited for what that means for the work.”

Screengrabs from Nthato’s award-winning documentary ‘Mutant’

Nthato has directed documentaries (‘Mutant’, ‘Future Sounds of Mzansi’), international features (‘Burkinabe’), and most recently, the Amazon/MGM-backed rom-com ‘A Scam Called Love’.

It was that last project that gave him his gateway into commercials. “After working on ‘A Scam Called Love’, which was so much about timing, culture, and humour, I realised how those instincts translate into commercial storytelling,” he says. “I love the idea of commercials as short, high-end films, where you can pack so much into a contained story.”

Screengrabs from South Africa’s first Amazon/MGM-backed film, directed by Nthato ‘A Scam Called Love’.

While his résumé spans continents and mediums, Nthato is clear about what excites him most in advertising: comedy. “I love comedy as a tool of therapy, but I’m especially passionate about doing comedy right, technically,” he says. “It’s about pace, layers, timing, and casting. South Africans have the best sense of humour, I think in the world, but in comedic filmmaking I think sometimes we can push the craft further.” 

This passion for precision pairs with his love of collaboration. Having worked across music, writing, animation, and production design, he sees commercials as a space to bring multiple disciplines together. “I love good communication with the art team, the music team, the production team. I’ve been on the other sides, so I know how valuable collaboration is.”

Screengrabs from Nthato’s ‘Surf Sangoma’ directed for Disney

For Nthato, joining ROMANCE is about reimagining what advertising in South Africa could be. He credits his long friendship and creative mentorship with director Terence Neale as a key influence, shaping how he thinks about commercials. “Terence has always pushed me to see what’s possible in terms of style and bravery, to break creative ceilings and do the kind of work that makes the whole industry look twice,” he says. At the same time, he says of ROMANCE’s Greg Gray, “the way Greg can tell deeply human stories with levity and humour is something I really admire.” Between the two influences, Nthato sees a path for himself that combines originality, emotion, and a willingness to push creative culture.

With Nthato on board, ROMANCE offers a unique perspective for telling local brand stories, and we’re watching!  

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