A Conversation with Nosipho Maketo van den Bragt: A Visionary Leader Shaping the Future of African Creativity

When I sat down with Nosipho Maketo van den Bragt, it was clear from the outset that this would be no ordinary interview. A CEO, a creative powerhouse, and a trailblazer in the animation and film industry, Nosipho is one of those rare individuals whose presence demands attention, not because she seeks it, but because of the depth of her insights and the strength of her vision.

What started as a quick chat quickly turned into an hour-long, free-flowing exchange on everything from leadership to creativity, self-doubt, and the power of African storytelling. Nosipho’s candidness, warmth, and the rawness with which she shared her journey made the conversation feel like a discussion with a friend. One that you’d want to have for hours, unburdened by time.

Before I even meet her, I meet two of her newest PR hires. They’re beaming with admiration, protective to the point of playful warnings: “Don’t crucify her,” one says, only half-joking. They insist on being present during the interview, not out of obligation, but because they genuinely want to support her. It’s not often that new hires speak of their leader with this kind of reverence. But then again, Nosipho isn’t a typical leader. Their adoration, loyalty, and enthusiasm reflect the kind of work environment she cultivates; one where people feel seen, valued, and inspired to show up fully.

We were meant to talk for under 30 minutes, but time had other plans. With Nosipho Maketo van den Bragt, it’s almost impossible to wrap things up, every answer opens another door, and you find yourself peeking inside just to see how far the corridors stretch.

Nosipho is the kind of woman whose presence lingers; confident, assured, playful, but also rooted in a deep well of wisdom. One moment we’re talking about hairstyles (mine, and even her son’s), the next we’re knee-deep in a conversation about what it means to lead with purpose, adapt with intention, and exist in a creative world shaped by AI and courage.

By the time we wrap, she’s prepping for a photoshoot, a space she’s still getting used to, she tells me, but watching her in action, you wouldn’t guess it. She’s composed, commanding, and graceful, as if the camera were simply a mirror reflecting everything she already knows about herself. Power, softness, leadership, motherhood, it’s all there, in frame.

Before Chocolate Tribe became one of the most respected names in local animation and visual effects, Nosipho Maketo van den Bragt was deep in a different world entirely. A world of case law, courtrooms, and legal frameworks. And yet, creativity was never far behind.

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“I was always interested in creativity,” she tells me. “I used to write, you know, many poems and design clothes. I would act, you know, whenever there were school plays.” These weren’t just childhood hobbies, they were early signs of a personality rooted in imagination. “There was always a very close synergy between creativity, my personality, but also my aspirations of being a lawyer,” she says. Then, with a grin: “A lot of people say lawyers are actually failed actors.”

For Nosipho, the leap from law to animation wasn’t about leaving one identity behind but rather expanding on what had always been there. “I always saw lawyers as creative thinkers, just in a different setting or in a different format.”

Still, stepping away from a stable, well-regarded profession came with resistance. “Even my family, some of them were confused. Why would you leave something with such a great deal of status, with money, with security, and go somewhere where it's a bit unstable?” There were whispers. Concerned calls. “People thought I was crazy. They were like, are you having a mental breakdown? What’s wrong with you? You know, you need therapy.”

But where others saw madness, Nosipho saw opportunity. “A space that’s not been tapped in, a space where a lot of people didn’t know about it.” In an industry with limited representation, her presence alone was radical. And while the outside world questioned her pivot, she focused on building a vision.

“In some instances, people didn’t take me seriously,” she admits. “Until they realised the vision that I had for the company, and also the strategies I was putting in place, those were what would sustain the company even through difficult times.”

Did she think Chocolate Tribe would become what it is today? “If I’m being honest, and I’ve come to know myself over the years, I’m a very ambitious woman,” she says without hesitation. “So I think in my head I’ve always aimed for the best… But sometimes I still walk into a room and people are like, ‘Is that woman from, you know, Chocolate Tribe?’ And it still catches me.”

And yet, behind that recognition is the same woman who once doubted herself. “In the early beginning of my transition, I was also still unsure of myself. I was very nervous… And I had three kids, I had a mortgage, car payments… I wondered, was it the right decision at that point?”

It’s a story not just about changing careers, but about betting on yourself when no one else will.

AVIJOZI, for Nosipho, was born out of frustration. "I kept hearing people in the industry—whenever I went to festivals or meet-ups—saying, ‘Oh, we’ve got nothing here in Johannesburg that represents the film, animation, and visual effects space,'" she recalls. "Everyone was just moaning about it." But instead of joining the chorus of complaints, Nosipho took matters into her own hands. "I was like, what's so difficult about just putting together a group of people? Especially because it seems like everyone wants this."

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After several successful productions with Netflix, Nosipho decided to act. "I just sent them an email and said, look, I’ve put together a pitch about a festival and event that I want to stage in Johannesburg because Johannesburg is not as well represented in creativity as Cape Town. I want to do this event here in Joburg." That was the spark that ignited AVIJOZI.

For Nosipho, it's been about more than just creating an event, it's about breaking down barriers. "It's the only free access event in Africa of its kind," she says, emphasizing how crucial it is for people who might otherwise not be able to attend. "I don't know, maybe even globally. Most events you have to pay for, especially one with the high production value that AVIJOZI has. It was intentional. We wanted to make sure anyone with a dream to be in the creative space could come, no matter the fees."

But the event’s significance goes deeper. "There are people who were forced into careers because their parents or communities told them to. People who wanted to create but were held back by their socio-economic circumstances or their own fear," she adds. For Nosipho, AVIJOZI is about providing an outlet for those voices. "The reason why I’m doing what I’m doing and speaking out is because there might be people who’ve always wanted to create but couldn’t."

Looking towards the future, she believes the creative industry needs to adapt. "Our theme this year is Heart of Steel. We need to upscale, pivot, and diversify our skills because AI is not going anywhere. It’s a freight train coming at us, and instead of running away, let’s run towards it and use it as a tool to create more opportunities for others."

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Nosipho’s vision for AVIJOZI is clear; it's not just about inspiring people but also creating tangible results. "In the past three years, we’ve had teams produce shows from AVIJOZI, get hired from AVIJOZI, meet other producers and funders there, and be invited to other festivals around the world," she proudly shares. For Nosipho, AVIJOZI is part of a broader movement. "We’re not waiting for anyone. We’re doing it ourselves, and we’re going for it. We are our own knights in shining armour, changing the narrative as Africans, the way we want to."

Nosipho’s approach to AI is one of optimism and curiosity. She doesn’t view the rise of AI as a threat but as an opportunity to enhance human creativity. In her view, technology has always evolved to create better ways of doing things, and AI is no different.

“I definitely think that AI is there to enhance our creativity,” she begins, her voice steady with conviction. “There are some who are sensitive to how it may impact jobs, but honestly, I feel like it's the same sort of revolution when the guy who would ride a horse to deliver messages to the next village, and then the car came along. You didn’t lose your job; it just opened up new ways of doing the same thing.”

For Nosipho, AI is not something to fear but to embrace. “It may take away certain jobs,” she admits, “but new jobs will form, and new ideas will emerge.”

What excites her most is the potential that AI offers to think differently and push the boundaries of innovation. “It gives me an opportunity to think and process things in new ways,” she says with enthusiasm, hinting at the untapped potential of this technology for shaping the future of creativity.

As our conversation came to a close, I couldn’t help but feel liberated. Spending time with Nosipho felt like walking away from the room with an entire toolkit of knowledge, ready to take on the world. She is the type of person you want to have around, not only for her expertise and leadership but for the refreshing perspective she brings to everything she touches.

Through it all, Nosipho’s leadership style stood out. Her team adores her, and it’s clear that she’s earned their respect not just as a CEO but as a leader who isn’t afraid to be herself. It’s this authenticity that has made her journey so inspiring. As she herself mentioned during our chat, her story isn't one of perfection but one of continual growth; learning greatness, embracing challenges, and pushing through the uncertainty.