Press Start Mzansi

Ep 8 – Identity, Creativity and Building Games from the Heart of Africa with Homolang “Nathi” Marule
In this episode of Press Start Mzansi, we sit down with Homolang “Nathi” Marule, founder and CEO of Atrybute Studios, to explore how imagination, spirituality, and technology intersect in African game development.
From drawing robots and sharks in preschool to leading a creative studio today, Nathi’s story is one of perseverance, curiosity, and deep reflection. He describes himself as a modern African child — someone navigating tradition, spirituality, global culture, and innovation. His games and creative philosophy blend the ancestral and the futuristic, offering players not just entertainment but meaning.
Hosted by Bandile Phuthuma and Kieran Reid, this conversation delves into how personal identity, culture, and storytelling shape the next generation of African creators. Nathi’s journey reminds us that building games is not just about code or design — it is about crafting experiences that connect people to who they are and who they can become.
• The poetic beginnings of creativity and storytelling in Polokwane
• Early encounters with computers, arcades, and discovering God of War
• Choosing art over engineering and the power of having supportive mentors
• From student to studio founder — finding purpose through leadership
• Defining the “modern African child” and bringing spirituality into design
• The balance between creativity, business, and community in Atrybute Studios
• What leadership means in the creative economy
• Advice for young artists and dreamers starting in townships and small towns
• The mission and future of Atrybute Studios
Homolang “Nathi” Marule is a technical artist, storyteller, and the founder of Atrybute Studios, a South African game development company exploring African creativity through technology. His journey began with art, computers, and a love of games that evolved into a career focused on merging imagination and entrepreneurship.
Describing himself as a modern African child, Nathi’s work is inspired by spirituality, biology, and mythology, drawing from both ancestral wisdom and contemporary innovation. Through Atrybute, he champions a creative future that celebrates identity, community, and purpose.
Follow his work at Atrybute.co.za and on Instagram @homolangnathi and @atrybutegraphics.
Hosted by: Bandile Phuthuma (ITTHYNK Gaming)
Co-host: Kieran Reid (Two Name Games)
Guest: Homolang “Nathi” Marule (CEO, Atrybute Studios)
Technical Director: Dave Moyo
Marketing: Jessica Jardim, Ashley Tanton, Padi Falas-Maifala, Mpho Tlokotsi
Press Start Mzansi is the podcast where innovation, creativity, and play come together to explore the people and ideas shaping Africa’s digital future.
Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @PressStartMzansi for more conversations with the voices defining the next chapter of African gaming.

In this episode of Press Start Mzansi, we sit down with Albi Modise, Senior Executive Manager for Communication and Marketing at the Gautrain Management Agency. With more than two decades of experience across journalism, media, and government communication, Albi has shaped some of South Africa’s most important public narratives.
From his early days in radio and journalism to his current work leading communication strategy for one of Africa’s most recognised mobility brands, Albi shares insights into how storytelling, branding, and innovation come together in the digital age.
Hosted by Bandile Phuthuma and Kieran Reid, this conversation explores how mobility connects to creativity, how communication can inspire trust and imagination, and why platforms like gaming are becoming vital to youth engagement and brand storytelling.

What we cover in this episode
• Albi’s journey from radio and journalism into communication and leadership
• The art of storytelling and its link to identity and innovation
• How Gautrain positions itself as a mobility brand, not just a transport service
• The role of creativity, gaming, and digital storytelling in connecting with younger audiences
• The evolving landscape of communication and leadership in South Africa
• Lessons from two decades of public service and strategic storytelling
• The importance of building trust, inclusion, and cultural relevance in modern branding
• Albi’s advice to young communicators and creatives finding their voice

Guest
Albi Modise is the Senior Executive Manager for Communication and Marketing at the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA). He previously served as Chief Director of Communication and Spokesperson for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and has held leadership roles in media, academia, and government.
A Rhodes University Journalism graduate, Albi’s career spans writing, broadcasting, brand management, and public policy. He has lectured at Tshwane University of Technology and completed leadership programmes at Wits University and GIBS. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to creative communication, innovation, and storytelling as tools for connection and progress.

Credits
Hosted by: Bandile Phuthuma (ITTHYNK Gaming)
Co-host: Kieran Reid (Two Name Games)
Guest: Albi Modise (Senior Executive Manager: Communication and Marketing, Gautrain Management Agency)
Marketing: Jessica Jardim, Ashley Tanton, Padi Falas-Maifala, Mpho Tlokotsi
Press Start Mzansi is the podcast where innovation, creativity, and play come together to explore the people and ideas shaping Africa’s digital future.
Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @PressStartMzansi for more stories from the people driving Africa’s creative and digital transformation.

In this episode of Press Start Mzansi, we speak with Ben Myres, the creative force behind Nyamakop, one of South Africa’s most acclaimed independent game studios. From Semblance, the first African-developed title released on a Nintendo platform, to his latest project Relooted, Ben’s work continues to shape how the world sees African creativity.
Relooted is a heist game with a purpose. Built around recovering seventy real African artefacts currently held in Western museums, the game blends stealth, strategy, and storytelling in a powerful narrative about repatriation, cultural justice, and African futurism.
Hosted by Bandile Phuthuma and Kieran Reid, this conversation explores how African creators are redefining global gaming and what it takes to build sustainable studios that tell stories rooted in local identity but made for the world.
A special thank you to the Goethe-Institut South Africa for supporting this episode and helping to amplify African voices in gaming.
What we cover in this episode:
The creative journey from Semblance to Relooted• Researching real artefacts and turning history into gameplay
Balancing fun, depth, and cultural meaning in game design
Representation, authenticity, and African accents in character creation
Building a sustainable studio and navigating the local ecosystem
The business of creativity and staying independent in global gaming
Advice for young developers starting out in Africa
What is next for Nyamakop and the future of African game development

Guest: Ben Myres is the CEO and co-founder of Nyamakop, a Johannesburg-based game studio known for its bold creative voice and commitment to African storytelling. His debut title, Semblance, received international acclaim for its innovative mechanics and art direction.
His current project, Relooted, continues that legacy by blending political commentary, history, and design innovation into a deeply African game with global appeal.
Credits
Hosted by: Bandile Phuthuma (ITTHYNK Gaming)
Co-host: Kieran Reid (Two Name Games)
Guest: Ben Myres (CEO and Co-founder, Nyamakop)
Cinematography and Editing: Luthando Nyuswa
Audio Editor: Juliette Love
Technical Director: Dave Moyo
Marketing: Jessica Jardim, Ashley Tanton, Padi Falas-Maifala, Mpho Tlokotsi
Press Start Mzansi is the podcast where innovation, creativity, and play come together to explore the people and ideas driving Africa’s digital revolution.
Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @PressStartMzansi for more conversations with the creators shaping the future of African gaming.

Building a Game Development Ecosystem from the Ground Up with Raymond Ledwaba

In this episode of Press Start Mzansi, we sit down with Raymond Ledwaba, CEO of ITTHYNK Gaming, to explore what it really takes to build South Africa’s game development ecosystem from the ground up.From finance to gaming, Raymond’s journey is one of vision, grit, and purpose. He is not just creating games, he is helping to build the pipeline of African talent, companies, and intellectual property that will define the continent’s digital future.
Hosted by Bandile Phuthuma and Kieren Reid, this conversation looks beyond the business of games. It is about how ecosystems are built, how communities grow, and why Africa’s next generation of developers cannot wait for opportunity but must create it themselves.
What we cover in this episode
How ITTHYNK Gaming began and what problem it set out to solve
Why local IP and African stories matter in a global industry
Challenges and opportunities in South Africa’s game development ecosystem
What developers need most right now, from funding to mentorship
Building national and regional collaboration across Africa
The one thing that could unlock South Africa’s gaming potential
Raymond’s message to the next generation of African game makers

Guest
Raymond Ledwaba is the Chief Executive Officer of ITTHYNK Gaming, a South African studio dedicated to growing Africa’s gaming ecosystem through development, publishing, and education. With a background in finance and management consulting, Raymond pivoted into gaming to build local intellectual property and empower emerging creators. Today, ITTHYNK Gaming is a leading voice in African game entrepreneurship, connecting creativity, business, and technology to make gaming a catalyst for social and economic impact.
Credits
Hosted by: Bandile Phuthuma (ITTHYNK Gaming)
Co-hosts: Khumo Moerane (ITTHYNK Gaming) & Kieran Reid (Two Name Games)
Cinematography and Editing: Luthando Nyuswa
Audio Editor: Juliette Love
Technical Director: Dave Moyo
Marketing: Jessica Jardim, Ashley Tanton, Padi Falas-Maifala, Mpho Tlokotsi

Moving People, Moving Futures with Gautrain CEO Tshepo Kgobe
In this episode of Press Start Mzansi, we sit down with Tshepo Kgobe, Chief Executive Officer of the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA), to explore how mobility, innovation, and gaming intersect in shaping South Africa’s future.
From building one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure projects to imagining what the next decade of smart mobility could look like, Mr Kgobe shares insights on leadership, technology, and the role of creativity in moving people — and moving futures.
We unpack how transport isn’t just about getting from A to B. It’s about economic opportunity, tourism, culture, and even lessons from gaming in engaging communities.
Hosted by Bandile Phuthuma with co-host Khumo Moerane, this conversation looks at how policy, play, and innovation meet on the tracks of Gauteng’s story.

What we cover in this episode:
Gautrain’s role in shaping Gauteng’s development and economy

How transport infrastructure can connect culture, tourism, and digital storytelling

What mobility can learn from gaming about engagement, loyalty, and user experience

Building partnerships across government, business, and tech sectors

Leadership lessons from steering one of South Africa’s most iconic projects

Looking 10 years ahead: the future of Gautrain and mobility in Gauteng

Guest:
Tshepo Kgobe is the Chief Executive Officer of the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA). A multidisciplinary engineer with over 22 years of experience in infrastructure, energy, and rail, he has led complex projects in South Africa and internationally. With a background in civil engineering and business management, Kgobe has been at the heart of Gautrain since its inception, from technical services and trackwork engineering to his current role as CEO. Known for his vision of smart, integrated mobility, he champions innovation, transformation, and partnerships that move people and economies forward.

Credits:

Hosted by: Bandile Phuthuma (ITTHYNK Gaming)
Co-hosts: Khumo Moerane (ITTHYNK Gaming) & Kieran Reid (Two Name Games)
Cinematography and Editing: Luthando Nyuswa
Audio Editor: Juliette Love
Technical Director: Dave Moyo
Marketing: Jessica Jardim, Ashley Tanton, Padi Falas-Maifala, Mpho Tlokotsi