He is an award-winning TV and film producer and director to some of the biggest shows in the country. He is also the founding partner of Seriti Films, popular for productions, Ayeye, The Road, The Herd, and recently, Gomora. Kutlwano Ditsele opened up about a grueling 15-hour hijacking and kidnapping ordeal.

NOT FEELING SAFE

Kutlwano is grateful to have escaped unscathed despite his belongings being taken and his bank account emptied. "Taken exactly seven days to the hour after I was released from a harrowing 15-hour hijack and kidnapping outside my house and taken to an unknown location,' Kutlwano says. "I was totally unharmed and had my gadgets and money from my bank account emptied. The only thing they took from me that is irreplaceable is my sense of safety.'?

15 HOURS LATER

After 15 hours, Kutlwano says he was released. "South Africa is the most beautiful country but sometimes it can bite you like it did me for the first time in my 37 years of life.' Kutlwano says that cooperating helped to keep him alive. "The advice I have to anyone whom this might happen to is this; cooperate. I know it sounds crazy but your life is more important than what they steal. I closed my eyes so as to not see their faces. I gave them everything they wanted and then they let me go 15 hours later,' he says. "One of the guys said to me, 'I don't want to do this but there is no work out there for us.' I kind of got it but it still sucks and was scary as hell to be away from my loved ones for that long without them knowing what was happening to me.'??

?GRATEFUL TO BE ALIVE?

The filmmaker says he is more than grateful to be alive to tell the tale. "I'm grateful for life. I'm torn for my love of this complicated country but I'm here to tell my own story and that's what matters most, I am alive,' he says.?

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WELL WISHES?

Friends and colleagues have come forth to wish Kutlwano well.

David Kau: "I always think I've seen it all these days, and nothing will surprise or shock me any more, but every day there's always something that leaves my jaw on the floor,' he says. "I'm sorry this happens to you and to all the people that it has been happening to, on a daily basis now. I thank God that you're here and alive to post this. Be strong, get therapy, pray - and do what you have to do to be safe and keep your family safe, to the best of your ability.'

Jessica Nkosi: "I'm so sorry Kutlwano. We thank God for your life!!!'