Maria Nepembe, The Director

Maria Nepembe wants to put Namibia on the map.

This desire motivates her as she pours herself into visual projects.

Nepembe is now a director.

After beginning her career as a model and video vixen, she has since evolved into so many other things. From her stint in the ‘Big Brother Africa’ house to being a businesswoman, designer, PR practitioner and MC, the all-round brand powerhouse is now making her mark in the local music scene as a music video director.

Her most successful project so far is ‘Hangover’ by BlvcBoxx – a music video she conceptualised, styled and directed in 2018. On YouTube, it currently has 442 000 views. She also took full charge of the reins on Dillish Mathews’ ‘Lights’ shoot and KP Illest’s latest drop, ‘Jealousy’, off his new album.

She worked behind the scenes on PDK’s ‘Dirty Kandeshi’ video, KP Illest’s ‘Okay Okay’, Zambian artist Chanda Mbao’s ‘Selfish’ and Dice’s ‘Second Guessing’.

“I’m a storyteller,” she says.

“Most of my videos are going to have storylines and will be very movie-like.”

To create the perfect video, Nepembe says she listens to a particular song many times until an idea pops into her mind. Once she has a complete concept, she pitches it to the artist, makes the necessary adjustments and starts planning the logistics.

Though the whole process is exciting, she has come across some obstacles on her journey, such as a lack of funding.

Nepembe says she has big dreams to direct film and to transform the local TV industry. In the coming weeks she will be dropping her first short film titled ‘Cousin Kauna’, which she starred in and directed during a brief stint in London last year.

The 12-minute drama is about the family dynamics of a young, successful couple with a four-year-old son, and will premiere on YouTube.

She says she loved working with a Namibian cast and learned a lot from the London crew.

“I want to tell the world Namibian and African stories. We need to be on the same level as Nigeria and South Africa in terms of cinema, with our films on Africa Magic, Netflix and DStv. I’d like to one day say I helped bring the film industry to where it will be.”

Having worked in front of the camera for a good few years herself, Nepembe says having seen it all is what pushed her in this direction.

“I would be at so many music videos and I’d realise some things could be done better. I was like, you know what, maybe I should try directing. I seem to have quite an eye for this.

“Behind the camera, you are responsible for everything from pre- to post-production, including the talent, set and styling. There’s so much more on your plate,” she says.

For now the jet-setter is based in Namibia as the global coronavirus pandemic curtails most travelling.

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