Patron of Arts
Zane Meas
Community Arts
Zane was a founding member of the community arts movement CANWORK, serving as a director on the board.
Based in Johannesburg South, CANWORK’s main objective was to develop and encourage awareness of the Arts in underprivileged communities.
Utilising the talents of people from these communities, Zane wrote, produced and directed a play called ‘Miracle in Motion’ which was presented throughout Johannesburg South and Cape Town.
Other plays produced include:
- Looking back… Ahead – Written and produced by Zane
- Knights of Dragonville – Written and produced by Zane
- Zane is often sought by the communities to attend, Judge, participate and speak at school and community events (Riverlea, Eldorado Park, Florida, Ennerdale, Soweto, RAU University).
Writing
Zane has written various plays and was included on the writing team for the final series of Suburban Bliss.
He has written a television series “Burning Bridges” which is presently in development. He has also written a series of docudramas on the untold history of South Africa entitled “Forgotten Frontiersmen”.
“Cry of the Gulls” based on the Station Strangler murders in Mitchell’s Plain Cape Town, is his first feature script, currently seeking funding under the auspices of Giant Films in Cape town.
Directing - Television
Zane completed his Multi-camera Director training with Endemol Productions while performing ‘Joburg Blues’ in 1997/8.
Zane's directing credits include co-directing inserts for The TV Production Company on the Nation-Builders series for SABC 3 (1997).
He directed and co-produced a documentary for UNISA on the future of serious music in South Africa with the 1996 International Piano Competition as a backdrop.
He has directed a number of episodes of the hit TV show “On the Couch” in 2008 - 2009
Directing – Stage
- In 2004, Zane directed ‘District Six – The Musical’ for RAU University.
- ‘From Zero to Hero’ – Gauteng Department of Housing, 2003
- ‘House-zit’ – Gauteng Department of Housing, 2004
- Aids Awareness – Eskom, 1999
- Bloedbroers – KKNK 2009
Sound Editing
Zane did the sound and sound effects editing, as well as the final sound mix for an Eskom Training video ‘Castles’ produced by Ben Kruger productions.
Production
Starting his own production company, African Gateway Communications in 1997, Zane co-produced and directed a corporate video for the GEMPEX Corporation entitled ‘Let There Be Light’.
He has also produced a number of corporate and industrial theatre and video productions for the Gauteng Department of Housing and for Standard Bank.
Zane has conceptualized and is the driving force behind production of the South Africa’s first awards for Soapies or Daily Dramas which includes:
- Sourcing of funding – Preparing of all proposal documents as sponsor specific
- Licensing and Merchandising Agreements with Broadcasters and Production Houses
- Formulating the Judging Process
- Developing the show format
- Creative Development
Acting
Zane Meas has been an actor for the past eighteen years and has appeared in numerous stage, television, film and radio productions. He is best known as the rugby hero "Mackie" from the television series "The Game", the cruel and vindictive teach "Mr Botha" in "Molo Fish" and as Jack Van Onselen in the TV soap “Isidingo”. Zane has received various awards including the Artes Award for Best Actor in a Radio Drama, and an Avanti Award for the Best Supporting Actor for his role as Ozzie Adams in the TV sit-com “Jo’burg Blues”. Zane played the part of Hendrick Grootboom in the critically acclaimed South African feature film “Forgiveness” directed by Ian Gabriel
General
Zane was a member on the National board of YFC (Youth for Christ) an international youth empowerment organization, where he attended all board meetings, was part of the policy decision making and speaks at various YFC events. He is a board member of the AFM Immanuel in Newclare.
Zane was also a member on the board of Rainbow FM 90.7 a Christian Community Radio Station where he was in charge of the Creative and Strategic positioning of the station.
He has launched the “Fatherhood Foundation of South Africa” in 2009 and speaks throughout the country on the effects of fatherless-ness. He is also writing a book “Daddy come home” based on his experiences, counselling sessions and research on fatherhood in SA.
He has released a music album in Afrikaans - ”Hart van die Vader” with songs he wrote based on the work he does with Men.
Zane is part of the founding team that launched an Actor’s Guild that has its main objective to secure basic rights for performers in the Performing Industry (e.g. minimum wages, pension funds, unemployment insurance).
The Pretoria Jacaranda Arts Festival
“Another arts festival?” I hear you ask. More of the same you wonder? Same artists, same shows, actors, directors, same problems with funding and venues? Same people behind this festival as the others?
Well as the patron of the Jacaranda Arts Festival I had the same reservations. Until I heard who was behind the festival and the vision they had for it and its future. It is my hope that Pedro Camara and his team will ensure that this festival is not just a flash in the pan. I am sure they have counted the cost, weighed the effort it would take and measured the commitment required to see it through to where the festival will be spoken of and regarded as a well organized, funded and enduring event on the Pretoria and competitive national arts calendar.
As artists who are primarily responsible for how our industry is perceived, it is our duty to support and nourish new endeavours that strive to lift the profile, professional and artistic levels of the industry. And yet we must be vigilant that those very ideas and ideals that we who are serious about our industry try to uphold, are not taken for granted or ignored in favour of financial gain.
We must protect the portion of real estate that we have won and ensure that in our battle to find and get recognition for what and who we are as artists, that that goal is not lost.
To every artist that will be part of this festival I would like to remind you that this industry has always been a business. Audiences will not only come because they know you, but by the quality of presentation, how you market yourself and your show, together with great entertainment value they will hopefully discover.
Let us not place the success of this festival on the shoulders of the organizers alone but let us together ensure its lasting success. Another successful festival ensures another opportunity to showcase our talent and let’s be honest, provides us with work.
May the Pretoria Jacaranda Arts Festival change the landscape of not only a proud and historic city but also the artistic industry in South Africa. To all the organizers, sponsors, artists and co-coordinators, you have our blessing and support. Break a leg!
Zane Meas has been an actor for the past 22 years and is well known in the industry. He is currently the chairperson of the Interim Board for the South African guild of Actors (SAGA). He writes in his own capacity.