Every frame a love letter

CONNECTING AUDIENCES: 'CITY OF GOLD' MINES AMBITION, BETRAYAL TO TELL UNIVERSAL AFRICAN STORY

- Sipho Mabena

Growing up in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, Neo Baloyi never imagined he would one day stand among the giants of global cinema.

Today, at 38, the Johannesburg-based producer has become a defining voice in African storytelling - his name synonymous with bold, resonant narratives that travel far beyond the continent.

As cofounder and head of production at Lucky Rhino, Baloyi blends commercial savvy with artistic integrity, building a reputation as one of South Africa's most dynamic creative forces. His portfolio spans feature films, television and streaming, with collaborations on platforms like Netflix and Showmax.

Baloyi's breakthrough came with Collision (2022), a Netflix-licensed feature that stormed global charts ranking third worldwide, topping South Africa and breaking into the top 10 across 68 countries. The film's success confirmed his ability to craft stories that are both authentically African and universally compelling.

The film's international success demonstrated Baloyi's flair for producing stories with worldwide appeal, while remaining genuinely African.

His upcoming projects include City of Gold, and Staycation, cementing his reputation as a producer at the forefront of African cinematic evolution.

City of Gold features seasoned actors Bonko Khoza, Brandon Auret, Gaosi Raditholo and Given Stuurman.