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Benjamin Cowley

About

Ben started in TV more than 14 years ago where he was involved in both live and pre-recorded programs at Namibia’s one and only national broadcaster: NBC.

Fast-forward several years, he found himself in the fantastical world of TV Commercials hoping this industry to be full of excitement, glitz and glamour. Needless to say, this pre-conceived notion couldn’t be further from the truth!

The Legacy Initiative (Retro Afrika Bioscope) is Ben’s baby and it’s his responsibility to nurture it and allow it to grow to its full potential. He works closely with the original film makers, film owners and national film, video and sound archives in sourcing/locating all the old films and getting them to Cape Town to restore them and ultimately get them onto a platform where the public can view them.

I Am Driven By | Passion in what I do. Being faced with a new challenge every day and knowing that what I am doing will live on beyond me and impact the world in some way… however small it may be.

The Difference Between good And Great | In my experience, people who are good at what they do tend to be content with just that, whereas people who are great, aspire for more and strive to make a bigger impact.

A Key Talent | I believe it is to see opportunity where few people would, and to drive it to be a success – even when everyone else is saying “you’re nuts”. Don’t take no for an answer and believe in your instinct – even if it takes years, the more you are able to turn opportunities into successes, the easier it will be to convince those around you to support you when you have a “crazy” idea.

Principles I Live By | Humility, Integrity and Honesty. Don’t be afraid to dream big.

Dealing With Doubt | That is a constant in life, and I am constantly learning new ways to deal with it. There will always be those moments, but I brush them off, and just push on.

Performing At My Peak | Healthy body, healthy mind is something I live by. Finding a good balance between the two as well as family life. I surround myself with people who challenge me in every way, which keeps me on my toes so to speak. Whilst I don’t always agree, it does give me the opportunity to reflect and hone I am doing

Resources I Use To Stay Inspired | Definitely people, movies (as this is what I do) and then creative working environments.

My Future Dreams And Ambitions | I want to grow my business, using this as a vehicle to change and challenge the paradigm of what has been the status-quo in the South African film industry.

I Am Inspired By | My grandfather, a World War 2 hero – a man who did everything to help change the course of history because it was the right thing to do. Steven Spielberg as a film maker, a producer and phenomenal story teller.

The Legacy I Would Like To Leave | I’ll quote Chuck Palahnuik “We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will”

Interview Questions

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The Legacy Project

Oscar Monama is a director of Strategy and Marketing for I Am Emerge Pty Ltd which he co-owns. It is a creative agency that creates value for money through creative concepts, derived from observing trends in consumer living and society, while immersing clients brands within consumer’s daily life activities in order to effectively fulfill business […]

The Legacy Project

Louis Minnaar forms one half of Albino Creations, with Werner Burger. Their amazing collaboration allows them to tackle animation, illustration and design work, and from what we can see, there is no shortage of magnificence in their work. They see beauty in things that ordinarily seem odd, and this gives them their explicit uniqueness. From […]

The Legacy Project

Alison Killing | The Legacy Project became an architect because she likes making things. She read architecture at King’s College, Cambridge and Oxford Brookes and on graduating was shortlisted for the RIBA Silver Medal. She then went to work for a number of international design offices, including Buro Happold and Kees Christiaanse, on architecture, public […]

  • United Kingdom
  • Keynote Speaker
The Legacy Project

Francois Steyn is a South African and Natal Sharks Rugby player who holds the record for being the youngest player to win a World Cup after helping the Springboks beat England in the 2007 final in France. He is notorious for his long-distance kicking ability and in a 2009 Super 14 match against the Brumbies […]

The Legacy Project

Listed in Forbes as one of five women changing the world of VC/Entrepreneurship, Kelly Hoey is the CMO of Cuurio, a New York City based startup. In 2011, Kelly co-founded Women Innovate Mobile, the first start up accelerator focused exclusively on launching and accelerating the growth of women-founded companies in mobile technology. An angel investor, […]

The Legacy Project

Extensive globe travel and international work experience has opened up the world of brand opportunity to this enquiring mind. Doug de Villiers has studied widely, pens papers and delivers talks on his subject. He has honed his professional skills towards Africa while at the reigns of branding and design specialist consultancy, Interbrand Africa. Being a […]

The Legacy Project

Life for Christopher Venter may have seemed like a black hole after losing his sight during his 40s. Before this happened, Chris’ carefree spirit took him on many boundary-pushing adventures. However, his loss of sight demanded that he learn to entertain his creative spirit differently. With tenacity, determination and a secure belief in himself, Chris […]

The Legacy Project

Alasdair Harris is a marine ecologist with an unhealthy obsession for corals and has spent the past decade developing conservation initiatives in the Indian Ocean. Alasdair is recipient of the IUCN World Conservation Union’s Young Conservationists Award, winner of the Conde Nast Environment Award, an Ashoka Fellow, and a passionate ambassador of Australia’s penguins. His […]

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