Mfanelo V. Masuku
Creative Director | Multimedia Producer | Animator | VFX Artist
Animation • VFX • Motion Graphics • Video Production • Editing • Graphic Design • Audio Production
Skills & Tools
- Graphic Design
- 3D Animation
- 2D Animation
- Visual Effects (VFX)
- Video Editing
- Sound DesignSound Design
- Audio Sound Production (Recording | Mix | Master)Audio Sound Production (Recording | Mix | Master)
- Microsoft (Word | PowerPoint | Excel)Microsoft (Word | PowerPoint | Excel)
- ScreenwrittingScreenwritting
- C++ Programming
About Me
Mfanelo Masuku is an Eswatini-based Creative Director, Multimedia Producer and Animator with extensive experience in animation, visual effects, video production, graphic design and audio production. He is the Founder and Creative Director of Purple Butterfly Nest Studio, where he leads creative teams in developing and producing animated and multimedia content for organisations, brands and social-impact initiatives.
Mfanelo has worked across 2D and 3D animation, VFX, motion graphics, video editing, sound production and creative direction, often managing projects from concept and script development through to final delivery. His portfolio includes work for organisations such as SWAGAA, FLAS, SOS Children’s Villages, Business Eswatini, SAFAIDS, Standard Bank and the Red Cross.
His work has also taken him into international creative and animation platforms, including Talents Durban, the Animation Producers Lab in Uganda, and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and MIFA in France. Through Purple Butterfly Nest, he continues to use creative media and animation to develop African stories, communicate important messages and contribute to the growth of Eswatini’s creative industry.
Work Experience
2017 - 2021
Producer | Directer | Script Editor
Saim & Dee Investments
Creative Director
Animation Producer
Script Editor
Character & Asset Development
2D Animation
Audio Production
Sound Design
Music / Background Audio Production
Video Editing
VFX / Compositing
Post-Production
Sound Mixing & Mastering
Team Coordination — supervised the Saim & Dee Investment production team and supporting freelancers.
2021 - Present
Creative DIrector | Multimedia Producer | Animator | VFX
Purple Butterfly Nest (Pty) Ltd
Creative Director — Overall creative vision, concept interpretation and creative decision-making.
Animation Producer — Project planning, budgeting, scheduling, team coordination and delivery.
Project Lead — Managing productions from initial brief through to final product.
Script Development & Review — Developing scripts, reviewing client-provided scripts and adapting them for animation.
Story Development — Translating ideas and scripts into visual narratives.
Storyboard & Visual Development — Planning scenes, shots, compositions and visual storytelling.
2D Animator — Creating 2D animated characters, scenes and motion.
3D Animator — Producing 3D animated content, characters, environments and promotional visuals.
VFX Artist / VFX Director — Designing, simulating and supervising visual effects, including live-action VFX integration.
Motion Graphics Artist — Creating animated graphics, titles, icons and promotional elements.
Graphic Designer — Designing posters, campaign materials, branding elements and supporting visuals.
Voice-over Artist — Recording voice-over narration for animation, educational content and promotional videos.
Audio Producer — Recording and producing dialogue, voice-over and other audio elements.
Sound Designer — Creating and integrating sound effects and audio elements.
Music Composer / Producer — Composing and producing original music and theme songs where required.
Education
2018-2019
Information Technology
Global University Collage
2025
Animation Production Pipeline
Sony Animation Pictures
2025
Animation Film Marketing
Talents Durban
Selected Work
Siyakhula Kids Castle - Eswatini TV (2019 - 2021)
Siyakhula Kids Castle is an engaging 2D animated educational series created to support primary school learning through culturally relevant content in siSwati. Produced by Sam & Dee Investment Company under directors Mfanelo Masuku—who also managed script editing—and Samkelo Mkhonta, the 26-episode series aired on Eswatini TV every Tuesday at 16:30.
Designed to make academic concepts accessible and enjoyable, the show brings fundamental lessons to life through a cast of memorable characters:
Aunty Zoe: The evening storyteller who captivates children with entertaining narratives.
Aunty Gugu: An instructor who teaches kids about the months of the year, seasonal changes, and relevant cultural activities.
Lifu: The local weather predictor who explains diverse weather patterns, their significance, and how to prepare for them.
Sisonkhe Kids Habits On Christmas - Eswatini TV & TV BRICS (2021 & 2023)
Sisonkhe Kids Habits (On Christmas) is a 4-episode children's special produced by Mfanelo Masuku at Purple Butterfly Nest Studio in December 2021 and broadcast on Eswatini TV.
Key Highlights
Core Message: Uses engaging storytelling to teach the true meaning of Christmas, promoting kindness, sharing, and responsible behavior.
Global Reach: Exhibited at the 2023 Beijing Kids Content Festival, bringing Eswatini children's animation to an international stage.
The series successfully blends cultural values with festive, educational entertainment.
Ngungu 3D Animation Project – SWAGAA (2022)
The Ngungu 3D Animation Project is an 8-episode (5 min each) educational series produced for SWAGAA by Mfanelo Masuku and Purple Butterfly Nest Studio, completed in three months.
Key Details
Role: Producer, Project Lead, and Script Contributor.
Scope: Full 3D animation, visuals, sound, and delivery.
Impact: Addressed GBV, abuse, and children's rights via mobile screenings in schools and communities across Eswatini.
Ingungu Yematsemba Theme Song - SWAGAA (2022)
Ingungu Yematsemba is an original theme song composed and produced by Mfanelo Masuku at Purple Butterfly Nest Studio for SWAGAA’s radio show. The song was created to establish a memorable musical identity for the programme and complement its message through an engaging, professionally produced sound.
First Aid Radio Jingles - Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society (2022)
First Aid Radio Jingles is a series of radio jingles recorded, mixed and mastered by Purple Butterfly Nest Studio for Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society. The jingles support First Aid awareness by delivering simple, memorable messages that educate communities on the importance of knowing basic First Aid, responding quickly during emergencies, and seeking appropriate medical assistance. Designed for radio audiences, the jingles help make First Aid information accessible, engaging and easy to remember.
The project was produced by Mfanelo Masuku, who handled the audio production, including recording, mixing and mastering.
Ingungu Yematsemba Radio Show - SWAGAA (2022)
Ingungu Yematsemba is a weekly radio programme produced by Mfanelo Masuku since 2022 for SWAGAA (Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse) and broadcast on EBIS every Wednesday.
Mfanelo oversees the full production of the programme, including programme planning, recording, audio editing, sound design, mixing, mastering and preparation of the final broadcast-ready episodes. He works closely with SWAGAA to ensure the programme’s content is engaging, clear and aligned with its public awareness objectives.
The programme addresses everyday social issues affecting emaSwati, including gender-based violence, abuse, violence against children, human trafficking, family wellbeing and community safety. Through radio, it helps SWAGAA extend its awareness, prevention and advocacy work to a wider audience across Eswatini.
Sonkhe kids Habits - Eswatini TV - Talents Durban (2023 & 2025)
Sisonkhe Kids’ Habits is an Eswatini animated series created by Mfanelo Vicktus Masuku and produced by Purple Butterfly Nest, promoting positive life skills, inclusion, and African culture in SiSwati and English.
Key Highlights
Talents Durban (2025): Selected as 1 of 4 animation projects across Africa from over 500 applications at the Durban FilmMart.
Producers Lab: Participated in the Animation Producers Lab in Kampala, Uganda.
Annecy & MIFA (2026): Invited to the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France.
Ingrid Silva Interview - 619 Production Inc (2023)
Ingrid Silva Interview was a remote interview production by 619 Production Inc., led by Ms. Cinetrea Williams Grace, featuring Brazilian ballet dancer Ingrid Silva during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
Mfanelo Masuku was responsible for video editing and post-production, transforming the remotely recorded interview into a polished and engaging video. His work included editing the interview footage, structuring the conversation, refining the visual flow, audio cleanup and final post-production, ensuring the content was suitable for digital audiences.
The project provided an opportunity to contribute to an international production connecting audiences in the United States and Brazil during a period when global creative collaborations were largely taking place online.
Hygiene Animated Video - Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society (2023)
Hygiene is a short 3D animated educational video produced in 2023 by Purple Butterfly Nest Studio in Manzini for Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society. With a duration of approximately 2 minutes, the animation promotes proper handwashing and personal hygiene through engaging visual storytelling.
The project was directed and produced by Mfanelo Masuku, who handled the full production process from audio to visuals, including animation and post-production.
Internet of Good Things - SAFAIDS (2024)
Internet of Good Things (IoGT) is a digital information platform that provides young people with access to reliable, age-appropriate information and resources on topics including health, education, safety, rights and wellbeing through mobile-friendly online services.
Mfanelo Masuku, through Purple Butterfly Nest Studio, produced a promotional video for SAFAIDS to raise awareness of the Internet of Good Things website and encourage young people to use the platform as a trusted source of information.
Except for the script, which was provided by SAFAIDS, Mfanelo handled the entire production from scratch—including audio production, voice-over, visual design, 2D animation, editing, sound mixing, mastering and final post-production—delivering the completed promotional video ready for digital and social media distribution.
InstaCash – Mulasport Transfer Pilot (2024)
InstaCash – Mulasport Transfer Pilot is a short 3D animated promotional video developed by Purple Butterfly Nest Studio to demonstrate how InstaCash customers could use the service to transfer money to and from Mulasport.
The pilot was designed to simplify the customer journey by visually demonstrating the transfer process in an engaging and easy-to-understand format. Through 3D animation, visual storytelling and motion graphics, the video showcases how animation can be used to communicate financial and digital services clearly while creating an appealing promotional experience.
The project served as a pilot concept for InstaCash, demonstrating Purple Butterfly Nest Studio’s ability to develop creative, technology-focused promotional content for financial and digital platforms.
United Holdings Car Insurance Pilot (2024)
United Holdings Car Insurance Pilot is a short 3D animated promotional video, under one minute, developed by Purple Butterfly Nest Studio to demonstrate how animation can be used to communicate car insurance services in a simple and visually engaging way.
The pilot was designed without audio, relying entirely on 3D visuals, animation, motion and visual storytelling to communicate the concept. It served as a creative demonstration of Purple Butterfly Nest Studio’s ability to develop concise, brand-focused promotional content for the financial and insurance sector.
Build It WhatsApp Service Pilot (2024)
Build It WhatsApp Service Pilot is a short 3D animated promotional explainer video developed by Purple Butterfly Nest Studio to demonstrate how Build It could promote its WhatsApp-based customer enquiry service.
The under-one-minute animation was designed to show customers how they could use WhatsApp to make enquiries and access Build It’s services in a simple and convenient way. The pilot demonstrates how 3D animation and motion graphics can simplify digital service communication while creating an engaging promotional experience.
The project was developed as a pilot concept, showcasing Purple Butterfly Nest Studio’s ability to create concise, commercially focused animated content for brands and customer-facing digital services.
Blood Donation Pilot - Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society (2024)
Blood Donation is a short, animated pilot produced by Mfanelo Masuku and the Purple Butterfly Nest Studio team as a concept project aimed at raising awareness about the importance of blood donation.
The pilot was developed as a demonstration of how animation can be used to communicate important health and humanitarian messages in a simple, engaging and accessible way. The project explains the value of blood donation, encourages communities to become blood donors, and highlights how donated blood can help save lives.
The pilot was intended to be presented as a potential awareness campaign concept for the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society, demonstrating Purple Butterfly Nest Studio’s creative capacity to develop impactful animated educational content for humanitarian and public awareness initiatives.
Phosa Nawe - SWAGAA (2024)
Phosa Nawe: Be Part of the Change. End GBV was a SWAGAA campaign aimed at mobilizing communities and organizations to support the fight against gender-based violence in Eswatini.
Mfanelo Masuku, through Purple Butterfly Nest Studio, was responsible for producing the campaign’s promotional posters and short video. He handled the complete creative production process, from audio production and voice-over recording to 2D animated visuals, editing and final post-production, delivering the completed promotional materials ready for public and social media use.
Macmillan Education Eswatini Project (2025)
Macmillan Education Eswatini Project is a confidential animation production completed by Purple Butterfly Nest Studio within a 30-day production period, comprising 10 episodes.
Due to the confidential nature of the project, specific details about the content, storyline and final production cannot currently be publicly disclosed.
The material displayed in our portfolio is not related to the actual content produced for Macmillan Education Eswatini. It is a separate demonstration sample requested to showcase Purple Butterfly Nest Studio’s capacity, technical capability and ability to deliver the required production.
The project was produced by the Purple Butterfly Nest team, led by Mfanelo Masuku, together with registered freelance creatives working under PBN.
Inyandzaleyo Ai Generated Video - SOS Children's Villages (2025)
Child Protection & Trafficking Awareness was an AI-generated awareness video created by Mfanelo Masuku for SOS Children’s Villages in 2024. The video addressed growing concerns around child trafficking, child disappearance and child safety, particularly among young children.
The project used AI-generated visuals and creative storytelling to communicate the seriousness of child protection and encourage greater awareness among parents, caregivers, schools and communities. Mfanelo developed and produced the video as a creative communication piece, demonstrating how emerging AI technologies can be applied to social-impact storytelling and public awareness campaigns.
CAB-LA - FLAS (2025)
CAB-LA (Cabotegravir Long-Acting) is an educational awareness video produced by Mfanelo Masuku through Purple Butterfly Nest Studio to help audiences understand long-acting injectable HIV prevention. The project presents information about CAB-LA in a simple and engaging animated format, helping make important health information easier to understand and access.
The script was provided by the commissioning organisation, while Mfanelo handled the complete production from scratch, including visual development, voice-over, audio production, 2D animation, editing, sound design, mixing, mastering and final post-production.
SOS Children’s Villages Operational Change Series (2025)
SOS Children’s Villages Operational Change Series is a 6-episode (5 min each) animated educational series produced by Purple Butterfly Nest Studio to clearly communicate organizational evolution to staff and stakeholders.
Key Highlights
Role: Creative Director and Lead (Mfanelo Masuku).
Focus: Illustrates how operations have evolved from past practices to current frameworks through relatable storytelling.
Scope: End-to-end production including script development, storyboarding, animation, voice-overs, sound design, and final delivery.
Condomized Podcast - FLAS (2025)
Condomized is a sexual and reproductive health podcast produced by Mfanelo Masuku through Purple Butterfly Nest Studio for the Family Life Association of Eswatini (FLAS). The podcast creates an engaging and informative platform for discussing sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention, contraception, relationships and other issues affecting young people.
Mfanelo handled the audio production and post-production, including recording, editing, sound design, mixing and mastering, ensuring the podcast was professionally produced and ready for digital distribution.
PrEP Ring Animated Explainer - FLAS (2025)
PrEP Ring is an educational and awareness video produced by Mfanelo Masuku through Purple Butterfly Nest Studio for the Family Life Association of Eswatini (FLAS). The project was created to educate audiences about the PrEP Ring, a HIV prevention option, and to communicate its use and benefits in a simple, engaging and accessible format.
FLAS provided the script, while Mfanelo handled the complete production from scratch, including visual development, voice-over, audio production, 2D animation, editing, sound design, mixing, mastering and final post-production. The project demonstrates Purple Butterfly Nest Studio’s ability to transform health and educational information into engaging animated content for public awareness campaigns.
The Voice of Business - Business Eswatini (2025)
Business Eswatini – The Voice of Business is a 45-second animated promo produced by Mfanelo Masuku at Purple Butterfly Nest Studio to highlight the advocacy group's role in private sector growth.
Production & Metaphors
Workflow: Mfanelo managed full execution—from script review and storyboards to animation, voice-overs, and sound mastering.
Visuals: Features an interconnected map for national unity, a growing sapling for business expansion, and unified roots for collective advocacy.
The video reinforces the brand as "The Home of Business" and "The Voice of Business."
Back to School Animation - Purple Butterfly Nest (Pty) Ltd (2026)
Back to School is a short, animated video created by Mfanelo Masuku at Purple Butterfly Nest Studio at the beginning of 2026. The video was developed as a positive and encouraging message to children returning to school, wishing them success, confidence and a great academic year.
Through colorful animation and an uplifting message, the project demonstrates how short-form animation can be used to create relatable, timely and positive content for children and families.
PrEP Ring Podcast - FLAS (2026)
PrEP Ring Podcast is an educational and awareness podcast produced by Mfanelo Masuku through Purple Butterfly Nest Studio for the Family Life Association of Eswatini (FLAS). The podcast provides accessible information about the PrEP Ring, helping audiences understand HIV prevention and make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health.
Mfanelo handled the complete audio production and post-production, including recording, audio editing, sound design, mixing and mastering, delivering a polished podcast ready for public and digital distribution.
Standard Bank TVC (2026)
Standard Bank TV Commercial is a live-action video produced by Bumba Media and led by Sibuko Acres, following a boy who becomes a successful farmer through long-term financial support.
Key Contributions
VFX Director: Mfanelo Masuku directed and supervised all visual effects sequences, ensuring seamless integration with live-action footage.
Creative FX: Designed and simulated a teleportation portal as a narrative visual device to transition between the protagonist's life stages.
Impact: Blended creative direction with technical execution to strengthen the film's core story.