Ndanu understands she has the missing link that many creative artists do not understand. It is the ability to blend business with the arts.
This has seen Okuhle Spielworks achieve considerable media success to the point of going global in the last few months.
As the CEO, Ndanu is in the business she was already doing successfully for more than 10 years with Dorothy Ghettuba-Pala, now at Netflix as manager.
“Our plan had always been to tell our Kenyan stories on a global platform, and we did it with shows like Lies that Bind and Ladies First, which have not only been aired on local channels, but have also been shown on MNet, SABC and Fox TV,” she says.
"We have conquered the local media scene. Now’s our time to grow and share Kenyan content with the rest of the world."
Ndanu has always had a large vision. The mother of two recently partnered with the South African-based Okuhle Media to create Okuhle Spielworks.
“Kenyans have amazing stories to share. Right now we are specifically thinking about how best to address not just a local but also a global audience,” she says.
Ndanu has been in charge of production of shows like Higher Learning, Saints, Urembo and Lies that Bind among the 41 TV movies, 18 TV shows and more than 20 web shows that Spielworks has produced.
“That has meant being responsible for everything from the initial concept and budgeting to all the details involved in production of the finished product,” she says.
A graduate of creative and performing arts from Maseno University, Ndanu’s decision to study for a Master’s degree in business administration at Strathmore University grew out of her recognition of the relevance, even the necessity of having business skills.
“I have always loved working with numbers so preparing budgets for all our projects hasn’t been a problem for me,” says Ndanu.
She has her sights set on bringing Kenyans’ stories to a global arena.
“We have conquered the local media scene. Now’s our time to grow and share Kenyan content with the rest of the world.”
— Margaretta wa Gacheru
