INTRODUCING MEG OTANWA

Source: INTRODUCING MEG OTANWA

INTRODUCING MEG OTANWA

WAKA talent Agency is pleased to announce that we have officially signed Meg Otanwa to our bouquet of Africa’s finest talent.

Meg Otanwa is a Nigerian Goddess that hails from Idoma speaking area of Benue State, Nigeria.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from TIME Universite Tunis, Tunisia and an MBA training from Universite Jean Moulin, Lyon France. Meg worked at African Development Bank in Tunis, Tunisia several years before moving back to Nigeria to pursue her passion as an actress.

Meg speaks English, French, Hausa, Idoma, Spanish and Yoruba, fluently.

She made her Nollywood debut in the dance film ‘I’ll Take My Chances’ in 2011 and has since moved on to major roles in some of Nollywood’s biggest movies. She played the role of ‘’ in Kunle Afolayan’s AMVCA award winning hit movie, Óctober 1’, she also starred as Aisha in the popular series ‘B430’.

Her other major credits include Charles Novia’s Atlanta, Gidi Culture, Ojuju, Kpians (Festival of Souls) and others.

In 2016 she received three Best Actress nominations in one AMVCA award and two Eloy Awards. In the 2017 AMVCA awards, she was nominated in the best actress in a Drama, Movie/ TV Series category for her role in the movie “Derailed” and the AMVCA recognition awards Best Actress in a drama category for her role in “Hush”.

In 2017 Meg Otanwa won the AMVCA recognition award for Best Actress in a Drama for her outstanding role as Koko in the Hit Series “Hush.

WAKA talent agency represent the finest Pan African talent in the form of actors, TV presenters , emcee’s, speakers brand ambassadors and voice over artists. We aim to introduce Meg Otanwa to the Pan African TV and film market thus setting her up as a global brand.

For more information, bookings or interview requests please contact:

Rosie Motene C/O Waka Talent Agency

rosie@wakaagency.biz

http://www.wakaagency.biz

End.

Reconnecting The Pan African Connect

My Pan African journey.

In 2004 I made a brave decision to leave a safe and comfortable job and pursue my destiny and discover life. I was one the principal actors on the prominent soap opera, Generations. I had been on the soap for approximately five years after, although my original plan was to be for two years. During my time at Generations I learnt many things from working in a multi-camera studio, acting for television and of course there was my introduction to fame.
I also embraced on a personal journey of activism, after I trained through POWA (people opposing women abuse), http://www.powa.co.za. I joined the NGO as a volunteer and trained in order to heal from a past abusive relationship. I decided to use my public status to raise awareness on abuse, the myths and misconceptions and how to get out of an abusive relationship.

During this phase of my life I received a lot of fan mail from prisoners, particularly from Johannesburg prison. One day, I was invited to come and speak on my experience and knowledge at the prison. On arrival, I was met with approximately 1500 prisoners some who had been incarcerated for sexual offences, murder and abuse. My topic for the day was the myths and misconceptions of abuse. Within ten minutes I had the prisoners on their haunches listening to what I had to say. After I had completed the talk, there was a discussion with the heads of the correctional facility on how they could incorporate the facts and information into a curriculum for the prisoners who were to be released on parole. Soon after that POWA enrolled in a prison program for prisoners who were due for release.
On the day of my talk, I needed to leave and get to the SABC as I was due to record scenes for Generations. As I drove I felt a sense of anxiety, I felt that I did not want to go back to work. As I continued to drive, I realised that although I was at the peak of my career, my public status was very prominent, I felt that my time at Generations wa up. For the first time in my time with the soap, felt like i was gong to work and I had lost the passion. Prior to that my experience was exciting and passionate. One of my mentors always said, the minute you lose passion for the job is the time when you need to change or shift positions. My time had come. I then went to work, performed my scenes and then wrote my letter of resignation to Mr Mfundi Vundla and Mr Friederich Stark. I had three months to work out my contract and find other work.

When you tell the universe your plans and make a commitment to close one door, other doors will open that is exactly wha happened with me. The day after my resignation I auditioned for Hotel Rwanda, although I did not land the role that I wanted, I was cast ins a supporting role, where I acted alongside Don headless and Nick Nolte. Soon after that I received a call from a prominent TV public figure, Sandy Ngema, a lady whom I always admired and respected. Sandy was the producer for a new show called Studio 53. This TV show highlighted Africa, its beauty, traditions, cultures and dynamics. The show was hosted by Alice Chavunduka at the time. Alyce was another woman whom I looked up to. She first graced our screens as a news reporter and I was always drawn to her level of sophistication, flair and pride. As I grew up during the apartheid era, Black women were never seen as powerful and sophisticated and the media ensured that. Alyce, defied all those rules.
On my first shoot date as a field reporter for their new show, Studio 53, I was hired. After a few months, Alyce exited the show and I was made the studio presenter alongside Gaetano Kagwa. It was then that I was introduced into the splendour of our continent.
I was able to travel and work and experience africa.

Due to SABC being broadcast across the continent, my brand had extended to all parts of Africa. My first personal encounter of this was when I was invited to e the Face of Namibian Fashion week in 2004. The following year Uganda made me the face of their fashion week and before I knew it I had visited and experienced cultures from East and west Africa.
My life experiences then led me into combining my three passions: Women empowerment, Africa and the arts. I started my talent agency Waka Talent, where we represent talent from East, West and Southern Africa. I joined forces with my longtime friend and mentor, Eve Ensler through the V-Day movement. My work and job choices are driven by my three passions, if a job offer does not create that synergy, then I know the project is not for me.

In 2015 I joined the Cliffcentral team with my own show called Pan African connect, where I connected with people from across Africa and within the African diaspora. I interviewed musicians, DJ’s, actors, activists etc.
I left the show in 2016 when I moved to Uganda, but my podcasts were kept running. On my return to South Africa, I was happy and overwhelmed to hear that my Cliffcentral family still kept a place for me and then my Pan African connect channel was still alive. I have now decided to record podcasts and continue with the Pan African connect theme. My series of podcasts will include conversations with people in the arts, African women who are living their best life and making waves within their worlds, I will also use the platform to create awareness of many issues pertaining to women within Africa and the African Diaspora. I have also partnered with The PrincessD menstrual Cup team as the Pan African distributor.

Join me as I continue to discover the pride, beauty and splendour of our powerful continent.

For interview requests contact
rosie@rosiemotene.biz
http://www.rosiemotene.biz

For information on Waka talent agency:
info@wakaagency.biz
http://www.wakaagency.biz

For information on the PrincessD Menstrual Cup
rosie@princessdmenstrualcup.com