YouTube has selected 20 African content creators, including 8 from South Africa, to receive grants through its global #YouTubeBlackVoices fund. The €100 million fund was established to promote Black artists and content creators over the next three years so they can produce and showcase their work on the platform. The company has selected 132 designers for its "Class of 2021" from around the world. “We are excited to highlight Black creations from the African continent and amplify their voices by creating original content on our platform,” says Alex Okosi, MD, Emerging Markets YouTube EMEA. Content creators range from fashion commentators and comedians to learning and wellness. Diversity represents the incredible variety that YouTube offers, as a free streaming platform. The 8 content creators from South Africa are:
- Nicolette Mashile, who runs Financial Bunny, a page dedicated to financial education for all.
- Kay Ngonyama, who runs a successful vlog that covers everything from makeup tutorials to product reviews.
- Lasizwe Dambuza, who runs a channel dedicated to comic characters and sketches.
- MacG, a live podcast channel where MacG interviews South African figures on all kinds of topics.
- Offentse and Nelisiwe Mwase, is a local production company run by the Ofentse and Nelisiwe Mwase couple and produces local short series.
- Owamie Hlongwane, a makeup and lifestyle chain produced and run by self-proclaimed "villager" Owamie.
- Thato Rampedi, who calls himself “South Africa's Favorite YouTuber,” Rampedi covers everything students need to know.
- Naledi Monamodi, directs Toast with Naledi, a vlog that covers her life, television stories, and life stories.