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The MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy for Southern Africa was officially launched in Lusaka on Thursday (October 11) with a gala event that included attendance by the two Zimbabwean students who will train there, as well as a performance by Zimbabwean beatboxer Probeatz.
MultiChoice Zimbabwe publicity and public relations manager Liz Dziva, who also travelled to Lusaka for the event, said the Academy was now operational and all 20 of its students had embarked on a year-long course to create the region’s newest film and television production professionals.
MultiChoice Africa has created a new initiative to give a helping hand to young African talent from across the continent, leading them into active service in the industry. Called the MultiChoice Talent Factory, the initiative sees the creation of three academies in key sites, each hosting 20 students from around the continent into a journey of learning and experience, as well as ultimate career success. Two students were found from Zimbabwe from among the hundreds applying for the Southern African academy, which is situated in Lusaka, Zambia. They are Rutendo Mahofa of Harare and Nobert Mapfoche of Bulawayo, who were identified by the team conducting interviews in Zimbabwe as being the most suitable for the one-year programme of learning and practical activity.
The launch event was held at the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication, an independent professional media training trust and heritage site in the heart of Lusaka, attended by Zambian dignitaries and industry professionals, as well as the students and other representatives of various countries in the region. Zambia’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Dora Siliya, opened the academy and commended the initiative.
“The fact that MultiChoice can take a chance with the young people of the region calls for a special applause (and) I want to (remind) the private sector … that the magic in the film industry in countries such as Nigeria results from the private sector and others taking a chance on (supporting) the film industry,” she said.
“We are not going to (showcase our own) stories if we are going to wait for financial support from overseas. We can only tell our stories if the private sector in our countries in the region takes a chance on these young people and … the film industry as a whole.”
Berry Lwando, Lusaka academy director, told the gathering that the 20 students would be provided with skills to make use of their talent, and would be connected with industry professionals.
“The MultiChoice Talent Factory is committed to empowering young filmmakers and enriching the industry, and the academy is our key to doing this, helping to addressing … gaps across the region,” he said.
“We believe that, given an opportunity, an empowered new generation of filmmakers and TV professionals will rise to take their place at the forefront of local creative industries, producing the very best of local African content for our (continent).”
The opening event featured entertainment acts such as traditional dancers, stilt walkers, jugglers, a ladder show and Zimbabwean beatboxer Probeatz, who gave what Ms Dziva described as a “sterling and dazzling performance that wowed the criowd.”
Ms Dziva said the launch event was a fitting glamorous start for an initiative that would be instrumental in helping develop the industry across the region, including Zimbabwe, and would see a flow of new content onto platforms such as the DStv channels created to showcase local stories and local talent.
“I was delighted to part of such a glittering event that made an impactful start for this amazing international initiative launched by MultiChoice Africa,” she said.
“Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Zambia, Gertrude Takawira, was also in attendance and congratulated the Zimbabwean students on being selected to join 18 others from across Southern Africa.” A programme on the launch will be broadcast on DStv soon, and details of airing will be publicised in due course.
More on the initiative can be found at using #multichoicetalentfactory on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
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