By Agreement Mabunda
PHALABORWA-Mlanzi Lot, better known as director Toolz, is a 24-year-old filmmaker, music video director, and photographer who was raised in Selwane village in Phalaborwa municipality.
Lot was surrounded by a loving family as he was growing up. His family has supported him in all of his endeavours from the day he was born through his childhood, soccer career, academic career, and filmmaking career. They never let him down.
When Toolz was in Grade 9 at Majeje High School, he began to appreciate capturing images and employing his imagination in connection with them.
He used to use his phone to take and edit images. He began making videos and films during his free time because it turned into a hobby and he found that most people were intrigued by his originality. He would occasionally even skip class.
While he was working on it, Phizzg, also known as Jack of All Trades and the owner of Voltage Record Label, who is also a filmmaker, music producer, and record label, gave him the task of filming a live performance of an artist.
Because he had faith in him, he urged him to purchase a camera after being impressed by the job.
Toolz completed his matriculation in 2016, however, due to his poor performance, he elected to upgrade in 2017. In 2018, he enrolled in Richfield College, where he studied IT until leaving.
He attended TUT in 2019 to study film and television production. Toolz was also working on his company, Toolz Films, during that time.
He collaborated with individuals like Lucia Potter, Jocstar, Clayo, King Monada, Makhadzi, and Master Kg, among others.
Above all, Toolz thinks that his major influencers, Matt Alonzo, Director X, Corley Benett, and TG Omori, are the ones who pushed him to take his “calling” seriously.
“I am most proud that artists like Makhadzi, Master KG, King Monada, and Prince Benza have recognized me”, he stated.
Toolz wants to see his business succeed on a global scale, doing what it does best—creating jobs in the film and television production sector and even working with Hollywood to produce films.
“Never allow someone who has more resources than you to intimidate you. The rest will come as long as you make the most of what you have and work to get what will best serve your goals”, He said.
