Namibians Sally Jason, Toivo Ashivudhi and Ester Beukes among the 20 graduates from the Southern Africa academy.
Yesterday in Zambia, the first MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Southern academy students graduated after completing their 12 months of film training program. The graduation ceremony was held at the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) where students received their certificates from the Zambia University accredited training program.
Nyiko Shiburi, Director MultiChoice Southern Africa Holdings said the 20 students will be the first-ever graduates of the MultiChoice Talent Factory which is aimed at supporting and encouraging excellence in filmmaking at the post-school education level.
Congratulations to Clarence Nyoni, Muchemwa Sinkala, Emmanuel Mwape, Jones Mvula, Mainala Silondwa, Racheal Mbewe and Joshua Kafumukache from Zambia, Sally Jason, Esther Beukes, Toivo Ashivudhi from Namibia, Chimwemwe Mkwezalamba, Jonathan Kapumba from Malawi, Serena Serene Mmifinyana, Nikita Mokgware from Botswana, Nobert Mapfoche, Rutendo Mahofa from Zimbabwe, Emanuel Gonçalves, Leandro Lima from Angola, Gerson Amaral and Ludmila Mero from Mozambique. MultiChoice Africa has fully sponsored the students’ tuition, accommodation, and stipend for 12 months.
“The MTF Academy students have been provided with skillsets to develop their talent, connect with industry professionals and tell authentic African stories through a comprehensive curriculum comprising theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing, audio production and storytelling,” Shiburi added.
During the programme, MTF Academy students have produced television and film content that were premiered on the eve of their graduation at Ster-Kinekor, Manda Hill to 200 invited guests. The films will also be aired on our local M-Net channels across the continent including Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East, Maisha Magic Bongo, Pearl Magic, Zambezi Magic, M-Net and SuperSport to reach African audiences on the DStv and GOtv platforms. The films will also be available on the DStv Now app and on Showmax. The MTF students will leave the Southern Africa MultiChoice Talent Factory with the knowledge and skills to contribute professionally to Africa’s film and television industry.
The keynote address was given by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Mr. Mabvuto Sakala who said
“From its inception, the MultiChoice Talent Factory has been a place of inspiration not only to the learners graduating today but to many that have walked into its doors and from different walks of life. This is the place where over 100 other filmmakers have gone through high-level Master Classes in cinematography, sound engineering, lighting and design and storytelling to enhance their skills. ”
In addition to the certificate of completion, 7 awards were presented to deserving students who have excelled during the programme, the awards included the following;
- Mainala Silondwa from Zambia was awarded with an 8 weeks internship at the New York Film Academy in New York.
- Jonathan Kapumba from Malawi was awarded with a 3 weeks internship in Bollywood India sponsored by our partner, Nihilent Limited.
- Nikita Mokgware from Botswana was awarded with a 3-4 weeks internship on an Africa Magic Series in Nigeria sponsored by MultiChoice Africa.
- Emanuel Goncalves from Angola was awarded an infinite AVID Media Composer License (in perpetuity) the for the Most Promising Video Editor sponsored by our partner, Jasco Broadcast Solutions.
- Joshua Kafumukache from Zambia was awarded an Avid Pro Tools Licence (in perpetuity) for the Most Promising Sound Editor sponsored by our partner, Jasco Broadcast Solutions.
- Two students received placements on SuperSport productions, Nobert Mapfoche from Zimbabwe will be taken up as Director and Emmanuel Mwape from Zambia as Producer. Both students will join the SuperSport crew in Zambia immediately after graduation.
- The final award will be the MTF Director’s Award for the Most Improved Student
