We are imagineers who create meaningful connections between concepts and people, evoking emotional responses that challenge perceptions and inspire new thinking.
We craft experiences that move audiences – in person, on screen, and online. From live events, broadcasts, conferences, and exhibitions to digital experiences, we combine creativity with strategy to build narratives that resonate and connect. Our approach is dynamic, intentional, and designed to leave a lasting impact.
View our showreel
Our Magic
We are creative thinkers and strategic builders — imaginative, capable, and deeply collaborative.
We believe the best ideas emerge when the right people come together with curiosity and intent, and that includes our clients.
Making Believe
What we do is equal parts imagination and execution. We originate and develop bold ideas — then shape them into unforgettable, immersive experiences that move people.
We:
Work in strategic, creative, and tactical partnerships Design every experience with the audience at the heart of the concept Unearth unusual possibilities Build emotional brand connections Create living, three-dimensional pieces of art Plan, prepare, and implement with precision Enlist best-in-class collaborators to bring it all to life
Our Work
Partner Brands
Taste our LIVE magic
Pendoring 2023 highlights
The Voice South Africa
TRACE AWARDS 2023
RMB Starlight Classics
Our Team
Freshly Minced operates from Johannesburg and Dubai, producing events and broadcasts across Africa and the UAE.
South Africa Team
Gcobisa Mashishi
Production Manager – Logistics & Finance
She’s a driving force behind the magic, with extensive experience and technical expertise. She’s detail-focused, resilient, decisive and passionate – and responsible for balancing the many moving parts behind the scenes. She has a distinctive ability to adapt to challenges as they arise. And she’s dedicated to ensuring that the show goes on – magnificently. Resume standouts include the One Night with Mzansi at the Dubai Opera House, Rebrand of South African Parliament TV, MultiChoice Product Showcase broadcast and Momentum’s She Owns Her Success.
Darren Richard Hayward
Executive Producer and Showrunner
He’s a multi-award-winning creator of visually exhilarating, dynamic experiences – broadcast and live. He’s been producing and directing shows, series and events for global broadcasters and brands – in Africa and recently also the UAE – for over two decades. And his passion is sculpting in a three-dimensional spaces with technical precision and theatrical expertise. Resume standouts include Showrunner for The Voice South Africa, Nigeria and Afrique Francophone, Executive Producer and Creative Head for RMB Starlight Classics, Showrunner for Amazon Prime’s Last One Laughing – Naija
Paul Egberink
Creative Producer
He’s a solutions-driven, detail-focused producer and designer with over 20 years’ experience in bringing conferences and events to life. He delivers end-to-end services through all brand touchpoints in a multitude of sectors. And he draws on his creative expertise and robust logistical skills to curate live and broadcast shows with passion, integrity and insight.
Resume highlights include the She Owns Her Success, Earthshot Prize and MultiChoice partnership announcement, the VW Polo launch music festival, and One Night with Mzansi at the Dubai World Expo.
Nhlanhla Ncwana
Production Manager – Events and Broadcast
She’s a focused go-getter and tenacious problem-solver with unique perspective and enthusiasm that shines. She has a strong background in corporate events and can pivot, as needed, to create solutions for clients. She believes in the power of hard work, planning and perseverance. And she’s dedicated to delivering outstanding results. Brilliant projects in her resume include the Earthshot Prize and MultiChoice partnership announcement, Pendoring Awards, SANEF Fundraiser and One Night with Mzansi at the Dubai Opera House.
Tamara Downing
Broadcast Line Producer
She’s an exceptionally highly skilled and knowledgeable broadcast line producer. She has over 30 years’ experience in creating and delivering challenging and prominent projects in Africa and – more recently in the UAE. She inspires her teams to always strive for excellence. She is dedicated to storytelling and top-quality content creation. Some defining projects she has line produced are One Night with Mzansi at the Dubai Opera House, Amazon Prime’s Last One Laughing – Naija, Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and CNN Africa Journalist of the Year Awards.
Dubai Team
The UAE team
Darren Richard Hayward
Executive Producer and Showrunner
He’s a multi-award-winning creator of visually exhilarating, dynamic experiences – broadcast and live. He’s been producing and directing shows, series and events for global broadcasters and brands – in Africa and recently also the UAE – for over two decades. And his passion is sculpting in a three-dimensional spaces with technical precision and theatrical expertise. Resume standouts include Showrunner for The Voice South Africa, Nigeria and Afrique Francophone, Executive Producer and Creative Head for RMB Starlight Classics, Showrunner for Amazon Prime’s Last One Laughing – Naija
Sarah Gill
Employee Engagement and Internal Communications Specialist
With over 20 years’ experience in employee engagement, internal marketing and communications both locally and internationally, Sarah is skilled in crafting easily implementable communication strategies aligned to key business objectives, including experience in crafting Employee Value Propositions in partnership with HR and senior stakeholders. Her passion for storytelling fuels her ability to deep dive into clients’ content, enabling her to lead creative and production teams to conceptualise and execute communication programmes to drive culture change in organisations, aligning employees to business purpose and ESG, vision, mission and strategy, and values. With a background in theatre and film, she also produces and direct corporate events and AVs, always aligned to the client’s business messaging and objectives.
Paul Egberink
Creative Producer
He’s a solutions-driven, detail-focused producer and designer with over 20 years’ experience in bringing conferences and events to life. He delivers end-to-end services through all brand touchpoints in a multitude of sectors. And he draws on his creative expertise and robust logistical skills to curate live and broadcast shows with passion, integrity and insight.
Resume highlights include the She Owns Her Success, Earthshot Prize and MultiChoice partnership announcement, the VW Polo launch music festival, and One Night with Mzansi at the Dubai World Expo.
Tamara Downing
Broadcast Line Producer
She’s an exceptionally highly skilled and knowledgeable broadcast line producer. She has over 30 years’ experience in creating and delivering challenging and prominent projects in Africa and – more recently in the UAE. She inspires her teams to always strive for excellence. She is dedicated to storytelling and top-quality content creation. Some defining projects she has line produced are One Night with Mzansi at the Dubai Opera House, Amazon Prime’s Last One Laughing – Naija, Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and CNN Africa Journalist of the Year Awards.
Simon Gill
Digital Creative
My role is to enable our clients to build meaningful relationships with their audience in pursuit of that growth and connection. As a designer of many mediums, I am passionate about the process of enhancing customer and client satisfaction and loyalty by improving the design, creativity and usability, ease of use, and the pleasure provided in the interaction between the clients and their favourite brands.
Sarah Gill
Creative Content – Showcaller
Darren Richard Hayward
Executive Producer and Showrunner
Paul Egberink
Creative Producer