Monde Twala is a visionary media executive and cultural strategist who has spent over two decades shaping Africa’s entertainment landscape.

Renowned for championing authentic African storytelling and empowering local talent, Twala has played a pivotal role in transforming the continent’s media ecosystem across free-to-air broadcast, pay television, digital and live platforms.

His career began at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), where he worked in sport broadcasting and corporate communications, gaining early exposure to large-scale live production and public-interest media. He went on to spend 17 formative years at e.tv, South Africa’s first and only commercial free-to-air broadcaster at the time, rising through the ranks to ultimately serve as Managing Director. During his tenure at e.tv, Twala led channel strategy, content acquisition, multichannel development and pan-African expansion, playing a central role in launching new channels, negotiating international rights, strengthening local content pipelines and steering the organisation through periods of industry and regulatory change.

As former Senior Vice President and General Manager of Paramount Africa, and Lead of BET International, Twala oversaw some of the most influential brands in global entertainment, including MTV, MTV Base, BET, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. His legacy includes launching and scaling landmark initiatives such as the MTV Africa Music Awards, the Room of Safety campaign with MTN, and culturally resonant content including MTV Shuga, Black Gold and The People and Mental Health—projects that blended commercial success with meaningful social impact.

Born and raised in Soweto, Twala’s leadership is deeply rooted in community, cultural pride and a belief in the power of media to drive social change. This commitment extends well beyond his executive roles. He was Chairman of the Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (2018-2025), serves on the board of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, The Hugh Masekela Foundation and is Chairman of the All Stars Social Club, an organisation dedicated to youth development and community upliftment.  Monde is an advisor and adjudicator to provincial film commissions. He has also contributed at a national level through industry bodies and government advisory panels focused on broadcasting policy, digital migration and the future of the creative economy.

Passionate about creating shared-value partnerships, mentoring talent and collaborating across the creative industries, Twala continues to amplify African voices, shape cultural narratives and advocate for inclusive growth in the global creative economy. He is known for building resilient, inclusive teams, navigating complex macro-economic and regulatory environments, and positioning African storytelling as a confident and competitive global force.