Sandra Muramba’s cinematic journey
Breaking barriers and shaping stories
Determined to carve a niche in the male-dominated world of cinematography.
As the Southern Africa MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy celebrated its fifth anniversary last year, Sandra Muramba, was one of Namibia’s newest graduates. In an interview with Namibian Sun, Muramba shared about her journey and projects she looks forward to executing in the future.
“Curiosity has always been my driving force,” Muramba shared during an exclusive interview. “I have always wanted to be a filmmaker, and being given the opportunity to train for an entire year was a dream come true. The environment at the MTF Academy was transformative. Being surrounded by fellow creatives who shared similar visions and values was refreshing. They understood my world, whether it was in the way I dressed or how I expressed myself.”
Muramba’s journey was not without challenges, but her support system proved invaluable. “Having supportive friends and family constantly reaching out kept me grounded. Their encouragement was a key part of my success,” she said.
Breaking Stereotypes Through Cinematography
At the MTF Academy, Muramba chose to focus on cinematography, a field often perceived as a male stronghold. “Most women shy away from this role because it’s male-dominated,” she explained. “But I wanted to challenge myself and step outside my comfort zone. I’ve worked as a journalist, so I’m familiar with writing and directing, but cinematography offered a new creative frontier.”
Muramba’s passion for cinematography stems from her love of storytelling through visuals. “I want to use the camera to convey meaningful narratives. Documentaries, in particular, excite me because they allow me to tell authentic Namibian stories from behind the lens. I hope to inspire other women in my country to explore cinematography,” she said.
Lessons Beyond the Lens
Among the transformative experiences during her year at the academy was a business pitching project. “As creatives, we often focus solely on storytelling and neglect the business side,” Muramba noted. “This experience taught me that every phase of filmmaking, from pre-production to distribution, is interconnected and vital.”
The importance of distribution was a revelation for Muramba. “It’s pointless to create a production without a clear plan for reaching your audience. That project opened my eyes to the fact that the market access strategy is as important as the story itself,” she said.
Muramba also reflected on her first experience as a camera operator while working on a short film for Zee World. “It was a transformative moment,” she recalled. “Taking ownership in a space where women’s competence is sometimes questioned was empowering. I proved to myself and others that I belong in this field.”
A Vision for Namibian Stories
Armed with her MTF training, Muramba is setting her sights on creating impactful documentaries that tackle societal issues in Namibia. “There are so many stories in Namibia that remain untold or are reduced to brief news clips,” she said. “I want to fill that gap by producing high-quality documentaries that not only inform but also inspire solutions.”
Muramba’s vision goes beyond storytelling. “I want to make a difference through my work. Namibia has a wealth of stories waiting to be shared, and I’m committed to telling them authentically and creatively,” she said.
“Curiosity has always been my driving force,” Muramba shared during an exclusive interview. “I have always wanted to be a filmmaker, and being given the opportunity to train for an entire year was a dream come true. The environment at the MTF Academy was transformative. Being surrounded by fellow creatives who shared similar visions and values was refreshing. They understood my world, whether it was in the way I dressed or how I expressed myself.”
Muramba’s journey was not without challenges, but her support system proved invaluable. “Having supportive friends and family constantly reaching out kept me grounded. Their encouragement was a key part of my success,” she said.
Breaking Stereotypes Through Cinematography
At the MTF Academy, Muramba chose to focus on cinematography, a field often perceived as a male stronghold. “Most women shy away from this role because it’s male-dominated,” she explained. “But I wanted to challenge myself and step outside my comfort zone. I’ve worked as a journalist, so I’m familiar with writing and directing, but cinematography offered a new creative frontier.”
Muramba’s passion for cinematography stems from her love of storytelling through visuals. “I want to use the camera to convey meaningful narratives. Documentaries, in particular, excite me because they allow me to tell authentic Namibian stories from behind the lens. I hope to inspire other women in my country to explore cinematography,” she said.
Lessons Beyond the Lens
Among the transformative experiences during her year at the academy was a business pitching project. “As creatives, we often focus solely on storytelling and neglect the business side,” Muramba noted. “This experience taught me that every phase of filmmaking, from pre-production to distribution, is interconnected and vital.”
The importance of distribution was a revelation for Muramba. “It’s pointless to create a production without a clear plan for reaching your audience. That project opened my eyes to the fact that the market access strategy is as important as the story itself,” she said.
Muramba also reflected on her first experience as a camera operator while working on a short film for Zee World. “It was a transformative moment,” she recalled. “Taking ownership in a space where women’s competence is sometimes questioned was empowering. I proved to myself and others that I belong in this field.”
A Vision for Namibian Stories
Armed with her MTF training, Muramba is setting her sights on creating impactful documentaries that tackle societal issues in Namibia. “There are so many stories in Namibia that remain untold or are reduced to brief news clips,” she said. “I want to fill that gap by producing high-quality documentaries that not only inform but also inspire solutions.”
Muramba’s vision goes beyond storytelling. “I want to make a difference through my work. Namibia has a wealth of stories waiting to be shared, and I’m committed to telling them authentically and creatively,” she said.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article