Ofentse Mwase is a distinguished South African filmmaker, director, and cinematographer, widely regarded as one of the country’s leading visual storytellers. Born on June 20, 1987, he has gained acclaim for his work on projects such as the Netflix film Collision (2022), The Girls Trip (2023), and They Were Not You 2 (2023). He is also the founder of OM Films, a highly respected black-owned production company in South Africa.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Ofentse Mwase |
| Date of Birth | June 20, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Rustenburg, North West, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Partner | Nelisiwe Mwase (married since Nov 14, 2014) |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupations | Director, Filmmaker, Cinematographer, Visual Effects Artist |
| Net Worth | Approx. $386,000 (mainly from YouTube and film projects) |
Early Life and Education
Hailing from Rustenburg in South Africa’s North West Province, Ofentse discovered his passion for filmmaking in 2005. This early fascination with cameras and visual storytelling inspired him to pursue formal training in cinematography.
He attended AFDA, the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance, where he earned an Honours Degree in Cinematography in 2011. His exceptional talent was evident during his studies, earning him early recognition.
Career
While at AFDA, Mwase’s work on the 16mm short film iGolide earned him a nomination for Best Cinematographer in 2010, and he was voted Best Cinematographer at AFDA that same year.
His 2011 short film The Hajji also garnered a cinematography nomination. Additionally, his 35mm commercial Thato received a Silver Loerie Award in the Student Commercials category.
In 2014, Ofentse co-founded OM Films, which has grown into one of South Africa’s most competitive and fully black-owned film production companies.
While officially registered in 2014, OM Films’ roots trace back to 2009, when Ofentse and his wife Nelisiwe began documenting township and rural weddings. The couple continues to lead and operate the company.
Mwase’s breakthrough came with directing the music video for Miss Pru’s Ameni in 2017, a project that won Music Video of the Year at the South African Music Awards (SAMA). The video’s concept, inspired by the Marvel universe, was created by his wife Nelisiwe.
He continued to excel in music video direction, winning additional SAMAs for works like Prince Kaybee’s Fetch Your Life and Hosh. His visual creativity has made him a sought-after director in the South African music scene.
In 2018, Mwase earned a SAFTA Golden Horn award for Best Cinematography in TV Drama for Tjovitjo, cementing his reputation in television.
His cinematography on the Netflix film Collision (2022) showcased his ability to handle complex narratives with diverse visual styles.
Together with Nelisiwe, Mwase launched the OM Films YouTube channel in 2017, initially focusing on South African comedy sketches.
The channel has evolved to include short films and YouTube Shorts, amassing over 1 million subscribers by early 2023, placing them among the top South African content creators on the platform.
Personal Life
Ofentse Mwase married Nelisiwe Mwase in November 2014, and they have three children. Nelisiwe is a creative partner in OM Films, contributing as a writer, producer, and actress.
The couple met in 2008 and share a strong bond rooted in humor and creativity. They currently live in Johannesburg after relocating from Rustenburg.
Known affectionately as “Unclescrooch,” Ofentse stands 6’2″ tall and is recognized as a prominent Black South African filmmaker.
Net Worth
Estimates suggest that OM Films’ YouTube ventures have a combined net worth of approximately $386,000, with monthly earnings fluctuating based on viewership. Their tutorial channel adds an estimated $3,000 in net worth.
These figures reflect only their online presence and do not account for income from their extensive film and music video projects.
Filmography
Cinematographer
- Tropic of Love (2024)
- The Black Keys: Beautiful People (2024, Music Video)
- The Girls Trip (2023, TV Mini Series)
- They Were Not You 2 (2023, Short Film)
- Collision (2022, Netflix Film)
- They Were Not You (2021, Short Film)
- Kusasa (2020, Sweden Unit)
- The Independent State of Nandi (2018, Short Film)
- Tjovitjo (2017, TV Series)
- The Hangman (2017, Short Film)
- The Hajji (2012, Short Film)
Director
- The Girls Trip (2023, TV Mini Series)
- They Were Not You 2 (2023, Short Film)
- They Were Not You (2021, Short Film)
- Kwesta Feat. Rick Ross: I Came I Saw (2019, Music Video)
Visual Effects Artist
- The Girls Trip (2023, TV Mini Series)
Awards and Nominations
Major Wins
- 2021 SAMA: Best Produced Music Video (Hosh by Prince Kaybee ft. Sir Trill)
- 2021 SAMA: Best Video (Mali Eningi)
- 2020 SAMA: Best Produced Music Video
- 2018 SAFTA Golden Horn: Best Cinematography – TV Drama (Tjovitjo)
- 2017 SAMA: Music Video of the Year (Ameni by Miss Pru)
- 2011 Silver Loerie Award: Student Commercials (Thato)
Notable Nominations
- 2021 SAMA: Best Video Director
- 2017 SAMA: Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Music Video (Ameni)
- 2011 AFDA Best Cinematography (The Hajji)
- 2010 AFDA Best Cinematographer (iGolide)
Throughout his career, Ofentse Mwase has garnered over 24 international awards for his work as a cinematographer and director, solidifying his status as one of South Africa’s foremost creative talents in film and visual media.
