The Team

CEO Dr Melanie Chait

BigFish founding director, Melanie Chait is a former Fulbright scholar, she received her doctorate from Oxford University. Melanie is an internationally acclaimed documentary filmmaker having worked on films for UK television predominately until her return to South Africa in 1995. Melanie assisted with formulating the Government White Paper on funding for film and video and was a councillor on the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA). Melanie was appointed to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) by former President, Thabo Mbeki and was the chairperson of the Restructuring/Strategic sub-committe.In 2003 Melanie established the award-winning Film and TV Unit at Monash University SA. She has also been voted one of South Africa's 10 most remarkable women in media and is a judge for the Vodacom Journalist of the Year.

Head of Finance: Wilma Rall

Wilma Rall boasts an impressive 18 years' experience in financial and business management across various industries. With a shift in focus to the film and TV industry over the past six years, Wilma manages the financial side of BigFish with flair and absolute precision - from accounts through to financial reporting. Wilma holds a BCom and MBA.

Relationship Manager: Gail Bond

Gail has worked as a project manager in the film and television industry for six years. Her knowledge of project management and work placement has contributed significantly to the success of BigFish and is a major contributing factor to the 85% employment rate, post completion, enjoyed by former students of BigFish.

Student Liaison Officer: Connie Mosegedi

Connie has a wealth of experience in the administrative requirements for the Film and TV industry and has been with BigFish for the past seven years. She has been instrumental in recruiting students from across the African continent.

International Fundraiser (Donor Liaison): Rodney Knotts

Before joining BigFish to do communications and development Rodney worked in the advertising industry. His experience in building and maintaining high profile relationships and his extensive knowledge of the international donor market contributes to the continued success of BigFish. Rodney brings more than 10 years of work experience to our team.

Head of Technical and Facilities: Paul Freathy

Paul started as a voice artist on Springbok radio when he was 13, and has worked in most media disciplines since then, moving into TV when it started in SA. An accomplished presenter (Lotto, Road2Riches, Felicia on e) and Producer (Jakhalsdans, 3 Talk, SABC Live, Lotto, Generation Game, Friends like these, Yo TV etc) Paul has concentrated on logistics, technical directing and production and specialises in new technologies and systems that ease the digital production processes.

Financial Co-ordinator : Marisa Smit

With 14 years experience in the financial industry Marisa joined Big Fish in 2010 as the financial co-ordinator. Prior to Big Fish she worked in London for three years before joining an audit firm in Pretoria, where she worked for nine years.

Technical assistant: Maureen Lesufi

Maureen has learnt a lot about the film and TV industry since she started with BigFish 4 years ago. She is now responsible for the control and maintenance of all equipment.