Influence Through Storytelling with Monde Twala

In this insightful episode of Future Readiness with Za, Za welcomes Monde Twala, an influential media leader and a champion of African creativity. As the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Paramount Africa and the Lead at BET International, Monde shares his journey from his roots in Soweto to becoming a key figure in global media.
Monde reflects on the significant influence his upbringing had on his values, particularly the importance of respect, learning, and community. Raised in a close-knit family, his grandparents played a pivotal role in shaping his worldview, especially his grandfather, an activist and editor, whose dynamic presence and passion for business were key influences. Growing up in Soweto during a time of intellectual and middle-class growth, Monde learned to embrace listening and learning as powerful tools and principles he carries into his personal and professional life.
His early love for storytelling was sparked by watching Chinese films in local theatres as a child, and how this fascination evolved into a lifelong passion for cinema and media. This led him to study social sciences, where he discovered the transformative power of media in shaping identity, culture, and community. Monde’s commitment to responsible storytelling, ensuring authentic representation in terms of gender, race, and minority experiences, remains a central theme throughout his career.
The conversation touches on the rise of user-generated content and niche communities, emphasizing the importance of reflecting diverse voices in media. Monde highlights the increasing demand from audiences to see themselves represented authentically in stories and entertainment. He encourages intentionality in the creation of content, from reality TV to documentaries, ensuring that African stories are told with integrity and depth. We discuss the potential of Africa’s creative economy. He advocates for Africans to focus on building a market at home before expanding globally, stressing the importance of investing in the creative sector and pushing for excellence. He calls for the next generation of African storytellers to embrace their power and responsibility in representing the continent on the world stage. For Monde, the key to success lies in authenticity, intentionality, and staying true to African cultural identity while balancing the influence of the global media landscape.
He shares success stories which have successfully expanded beyond African borders, creating valuable opportunities for African talent. Monde believes the future is bright for African creatives, and that the new generation has the tools and platforms to break through into global markets. However, he stresses the importance of first "winning at home" by creating a sustainable pipeline of content that can later be scaled globally.
His mother’s advice to “listen more than you speak,” is a guiding principle that shapes his leadership style and approach to collaborations. His ability to remain open, inspired, and a lifelong learner keeps him connected to the pulse of the media industry and the evolving landscape of African storytelling. Monde’s optimism for the next generation is clear - they have the creativity, the platforms, and the drive to take African stories to the world.
Don’t miss this enlightening conversation filled with insights on leadership, creativity, and the future of African media.
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