‘Really, you can never stop learning if you want to be the best at what you do.’
So says Bonga Percy Vilakazi, an acclaimed creative strategist, writer, and producer, who has learned a thing or two over the course of a star-studded career spanning more than two decades.
A multiple South African Film & Television Awards winner and producer of some of the country’s most talked about TV series, Vilakazi has also been nominated for an International Emmy Award for the hit series The River, which he wrote and produced. His impressive portfolio includes work on popular shows such as Adulting, The Republic, Skeem Saam, and many others. Beyond his success in television, Vilakazi has interviewed a host of high profile local and international celebrities for magazines; including Babyface, Tyler Perry, Toni Braxton, Loretta Divine, Kevin Hart and India Arie.
None of these achievements would have been possible, he says, if he had not made it a priority to keep on pushing his skills level upwards. Now, he’s just embarked on an MBA with Henley Business School Africa, after falling in love with the learning and culture at the business school during his Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice (PGDip).
‘In the creative industry, the barriers to entry are low and there is a continuous flood of new talent entering stage left. The reality is that not many of them find work and for those of us that do, the secret to remaining marketable and employable is to question what it is that makes you stand out, what it is that will make you memorable, and what will give you longevity in the industry,’ he says.
‘You can’t be a one-trick pony. You need to be continuously evolving, learning and being marketable – that’s what makes you different from the crowd.’
Continuous learning is key to career growth
Vilakazi’s own learning journey kicked off with a BA in Marketing Management from AAA School of Advertising – but in recent years, he’s found a home in business education, completing the PGDip at Henley Africa before moving on to Henley’s international MBA.
‘Henley accommodates creativity, fosters relationships, and blends seriousness in education with a sense of fun. For me, it wasn’t about the prestige of attending a top-ranked international business school, but about finding a place where I felt seen, understood, and valued as a creative,’ he says.
The PGDip was the perfect place for him to continue his formal learning journey, too, adds Percy. While the degree often lives in the shadow of its more prestigious and well-publicised big brother, the MBA, it is a powerful tool for professionals, including creatives, who are looking to enhance their skills, advance their careers and remain relevant in their field.
‘Doing the PGDip made me realise that I still have lots to learn and achieve. It inspired me to push further in my academic and personal development. It was a bridge, not just to the MBA, but to better leadership and management, full-stop.
‘In the creative space, we often start with passion – writing, acting, directing, and so on – because we are drawn to the storytelling process. But as we grow in our careers, we become leaders or start our own companies, and success in these areas requires a skillset beyond creativity. For me, the turning point was realising that while I had excelled creatively, I needed to better understand the principles of management and leadership to truly thrive.
‘My goal was to learn the tools to manage not just people, but processes and systems. Ultimately, I wanted to lead with confidence and make more structured contributions to the industry I’m so passionate about.’
Extending your world view, moving beyond your comfort zone
Vilakazi says that one of the real challenges facing anyone trying to make their way in the world, whether in the creative industries or not, is that your perspective is limited to what you know. This, he says, is one of the most powerful reasons to study – it can expand your worldview.
‘Before the PGDip, my perspective was confined to the creative industry’s challenges and norms. Interacting with professionals from diverse fields opened my eyes to how other industries operate with structure and efficiency. For example, in my group, I met people from Absa Insurance, from the IT Department at Nedbank, from Shell, KPMG, and Sandvik, an engineering company. This exposure taught me to think more critically and strategically, broadening my ability to navigate the workplace and be a better leader within my industry.
‘Being surrounded by professionals from more structured industries gave me a front-row seat to understanding systems and processes that are often lacking in the creative world. This exposure was invaluable in highlighting what our industry can do to become more efficient, while still fostering creativity.’
Think different; do different
Ultimately, says Vilakazi, you can’t expect growth and innovation either on a personal level or at a business level if you don’t open yourself up to learning new things.
‘As my friend Wandi Grace once said, “We don’t study to be the most educated person in the room, but to learn and grow.”’
‘Growth happens when we step out of our comfort zones and challenge ourselves to acquire knowledge and skills outside our primary expertise. For creatives, management and leadership skills can be transformative, enabling you to navigate new spaces, lead teams effectively, and bring your vision to life in ways you never imagined.’ DM