NATIONAL NEWS - Sihle Hlophe is a scriptwriter, director and entrepreneur. She holds a master’s degree in communication studies, a BA in dramatic arts, a post-graduate diploma in marketing management and a certificate from the Natural History Unit’s Wildlife Film Academy. But the best of all – this woman is a local.

Sihle was born and bred in the city and matriculated at Lowveld High School (LHS).

She was raised by her grandparents and it was soon clear that this talented girl would follow in her grandfather’s footsteps. The late SS Mahlalela was well-known as an author of siSwati textbooks.

“They encouraged a love of books, words and language in me from a very young age, laying the foundation,” she explained.

But Sihle said although she was raised by her grandparents, her parents also had a significant influence on her life, especially her career.

“Both my parents went to university in the United Kingdom and encouraged me to have a deep love for education. Today I believe I can achieve anything that I set my mind to.”