Francis L. Rangoajane

Francis L. Rangoajane (1963-) is a South African born journalist, film and television-actor, script writer, director, lecturer and theatre researcher.

More commonly known as Francis Rangoajane.

Biography

Born in Bloemfontein on 1st August, 1963,

He studied journalism at the University of Fribourg (1989-92), followed by an MA in Film and Drama at the University of Reading, England (1993-1994) and a doctorate from Leiden University with a thesis entitled Political Shifts and Black Theatre in South Africa (2011).

During his masters' studies, he worked part-time at the BBC in London and wrote for BBC Focus in the Africa Magazine and New African Magazine, both based in London.

On his return to South Africa in 1998 he joined the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University)as a part-time lecturer in Film and Drama. In 1999, he became film and television scripts evaluator for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), and initiated and between 1999 and 2005 ran film and television script writing workshops for SABC to improve script writing. He also became a part-time Consultant at Wits Writing Centre.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Besides his research, teaching and journalistic work, he has also made creative contributions to the performing arts.

As a film actor he has appeared in films such as American Ninja IV (1990), The Seven of Daran (2006), The Seven of Daran: Battle of Pareo Rock (2008), The Lost Diary of Dr Livingstone (2013).

Awards, etc.

In 1995 he received Honourable Mention in Brazil for his work as a journalist. In 1998, he won a Media Award in France, presented at the United Nations Headquarters in Paris. He obtained a Neslon Mandela Scholarship to study at Leiden University.