Johnny Malepa

Johnny Malepa

I am a creative director, designer, and creative entrepreneur working across music, entertainment, film, sport, and culture. I am the founder of MALEPA, an internationally active creative marketing and production agency that supports artists, brands, and platforms through visual storytelling, strategy, and execution.

My work spans creative and art direction, design, motion, production, distribution, and brand strategy. I focus on building cohesive visual worlds around artists and ideas, from campaign identity and rollout strategy to digital assets, content, and long-form storytelling. I have contributed to projects across global music, television, film, and live experiences, collaborating with some of the world’s biggest artists and brands.

I have worked on GRAMMY, EMMY, MTV EMA, and VMA award-winning projects, as well as Diamond, Platinum, and Gold-selling releases. My work has been recognised by Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 and the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans list. These milestones represent not only achievement, but a commitment to excellence, consistency, and cultural relevance.

Purpose sits at the centre of my practice. I believe creativity should create opportunity, shift narratives, and build long-term value beyond individual campaigns. Pushing culture forward matters to me because representation, access, and ownership remain deeply unequal in the creative industries. I am intentional about building systems that allow creatives, especially independent and emerging artists, to participate in the global economy while retaining control of their work and identities.

Beyond commercial work, I actively invest in mentorship, internships, and community initiatives that create access for young creatives to enter and grow within the industry. My purpose is to use creativity as infrastructure, something that empowers people, strengthens culture, and leaves behind sustainable impact. Through my work, I aim to build platforms, careers, and creative ecosystems that endure.