By Charmaine Ndlela
South Africa’s first creative academy, the Media City Academy (MCA), based in Randburg, will officially open its doors in February 2026, launching a fully accredited tertiary institution for the creative industries under SAQA and MICT SETA.
Applications for the 2026 intake are now open.
MCA will debut three flagship programmes:
- A film and television qualification for Grade 12 graduates,
- A film and television foundational programme for Grade 11 learners, and
- An online course tailored for working professionals.
Each programme includes an entrepreneurship module, which the academy says shows its commitment to developing job creators and job seekers in South Africa’s growing creative economy.
MCA will be the first creative academy located within a live production studio complex.
Head of School Zenobia Simelane said the campus’s location within an operational complex ensures practical, work-integrated learning.
“With a curriculum weighted at 70% practical training and 30% theory, students work alongside industry professionals, gaining real credits on leading South African productions. This equips them with the confidence, competence and adaptability required for a fast-changing creative economy,” Simelane said.
She added that through MCA’s partnerships with major media production houses including Black Brain Pictures, Seriti Films, and Amafu Productions, students will graduate with more than a certificate. They will leave with a professional portfolio, strong references, and the ability to anticipate and solve real production challenges.
Research consistently shows that workplace readiness remains one of the biggest obstacles facing South African graduates. A Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) survey found that 31% of companies cite insufficient practical experience as the main reason for not hiring graduates.
Meanwhile, Statistics South Africa recently reported that graduate unemployment rose from 8.7% to 11.7% in just three months. South Africa’s overall unemployment rate stands at 33%, one of the highest globally.
These figures highlight the role institutions like Media City Academy can play in bridging the skills gap.
HSRC researcher Shirin Motala echoed this need for closer industry-academia collaboration. “Colleges and universities must work with industry partners to identify emerging skills needs and integrate them into their curricula to address the country’s skills crisis,” she said.
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