Rapid Blue has appointed Mmabatho Kau as the head of its new scripted division as the South African production company that has mostly focused on format reality series has ambitions to expand its TV genre offering especially as video streaming companies like Netflix and MultiChoice's Showmax are increasing production budget spend across the African continent.
Mmabatho Kau will now lead Rapid Blue's development in scripted content creation in this newly created role.
Rapid Blue in a statement says that Mmabato Kau will "develop and drive Rapid Blue's ambitions in scripted content, from sourcing new
business opportunities in response to the growing demand for high-quality local intellectual property to the delivery of compelling content for local and international platforms
and clients".
Rapid Blue is known for working with BBC Studios to produce reality competition format shows in South Africa and lately also Kenya for the BBC's pay-TV channels like Come Dine With Me SA, as well as shows like The Bachelor SA, The Bachelorette SA, Strictly Come Dancing SA and Love Island SA for M-Net (DStv 101), Celebrity Game Night for NBCUniversal's E! (DStv 124) and Family Feud SA for e.tv.
Mmabatho Kau has over 20 years experience as a
producer and development executive and produced the 12th season of Soul City for SABC1 and was a script consultant on Netflix South Africa's Happiness is a Four Letter Word sequel film Happiness Ever After.
According to Rapid Blue Mmabatho Kau managed an unnamed entertainment TV channel and also worked at the shutter pay-TV operator Kwese, and mentored in writing labs in Australia, Poland, Uganda and Ethiopia.
"I'm thrilled to join the talented
team at Rapid Blue to develop the scripted slate and unlock opportunities to
bring compelling stories and unforgettable characters to audiences in South
Africa and around the world," says Mmabatho Kau.
Ziyanda Ngcaba, Rapid Blue managing director, says "Following more than 30 years of producing
award-winning unscripted content for African audiences, Mmabatho Kau is an
important hire to fulfil our ambition for growth in scripted".
"Rapid Blue has
already seen success in scripted production, having produced two seasons of Is’thunzi
for Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), with Thuso Mbedu, who received two iEmmy nominations for best actress".
"I am confident that with Mmabatho Kau's varied experiences and
ability to craft and produce African stories that resonate globally, she will carve
a new path for Rapid Blue."
