As I sat with Mpendulo Mabindisa, better known as Motion Billy, at Hotel SUN1 Foreshore in Cape Town, South Africa, the raw determination in his voice reminded me of a scene from the movie Slumdog Millionaire when Jamal Malik, against all odds, inches closer to winning the grand prize on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Both Jamal and Billy were not handed success on a silver platter; they fought for every inch, and in many ways, their stories mirror one another. While Jamal’s success stemmed from life experiences in the slums of Mumbai, Motion Billy’s rise to the top of the African music video industry is rooted in his struggle against financial hardship and limited opportunities.
Like Jamal Malik, whose life seemed predestined by a force beyond education and societal expectations, Billy’s journey was marked by resilience, chance, and unwavering faith in his abilities. From his early days of unpaid internships to becoming one of South Africa’s most celebrated music video directors, Billy’s life reflects the universal themes of survival and destiny found in Slumdog Millionaire.
In our conversation, Motion Billy recalled his start at Damelin College, where financial constraints forced him to leave a sound engineering program halfway through. “I didn’t give up,” Billy told me, echoing Jamal’s perseverance. “I volunteered at a film company for a year, working on lighting on set.” While unpaid, this year proved to be the turning point in his life, much like the unlikely quiz show questions that carried Jamal closer to victory. Billy’s experiences, like Jamal’s, were preparing him for something greater—something he couldn’t yet see.
What sets Billy apart is his refusal to compromise his passion for short-term gains. Much like how Jamal stayed loyal to his love, Latika, despite their separation, Billy remained committed to his love for filmmaking, even when his circumstances might have suggested he abandon it. After a year of unpaid labor, Billy enrolled at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, determined to hone his skills formally. He told me, “For someone like me, succeeding in this industry is tough. I knew I needed formal education to build a solid foundation.”
This is where Billy’s story resonates with the experiences of many young creatives in Africa who, like him, face significant barriers in pursuit of their dreams. His rise from unpaid internships to directing music videos for stars like AKA and DJ Tira shows that resilience and self-belief can carve pathways where none seem to exist.
Like the corrupt game show host in Slumdog Millionaire who tried to sabotage Jamal’s progress, Billy faced systemic exploitation. “At Media Film Services, I shot music videos for local artists, most of them unpaid,” Billy explained. But this period was crucial for refining his style and building a portfolio. “I’ve collected around 2,000 music videos, analyzing different camera angles and studying the unique styles of various directors. That’s been instrumental in shaping my own work.”
In the film, Jamal’s winnings feel like destiny fulfilled. Similarly, Billy’s work began attracting attention from high-profile artists after his graduation. Now, he’s a SAMA-nominated director whose groundbreaking work has placed him at the forefront of the African music video scene. His unconventional techniques and refusal to conform to industry standards, much like his moral compass, set him apart. “Personally, I don’t follow conventional methods. I break the rules, and that’s why my videos stand out,” Billy said confidently.
Billy’s rise from the shadows mirrors the struggle of many African creatives today, just as Jamal’s journey echoes the hopes of underprivileged youths around the world. For Billy, the challenges of working in an industry with limited resources are a constant reminder of how much more needs to be done. “There’s so much information available with the Internet, yet many young artists get sidetracked by distractions,” he lamented.
As Slumdog Millionaire touches on the global issues of poverty, exploitation, and resilience, Motion Billy’s story brings to light the broader challenges facing African music industries today. Like Jamal’s triumph, Billy’s success isn’t just personal—it’s emblematic of the emerging power of African creativity. “African music is gaining recognition on the world stage,” he said, pointing to the rise of genres like Amapiano, which has captivated international audiences. “I often reflect on how the African music industry can rise to new heights, and that’s what drives me.”
Motion Billy, like Jamal, represents the promise that talent, determination, and faith can overcome the harshest obstacles. Their stories resonate with anyone who has ever faced overwhelming odds, showing that even from the most challenging beginnings, it is possible to achieve greatness.
