Online Reporter
Youth Interactive Correspondent
Students in the 2025-26 class year of the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Southern African Academy graduated at the end of their course this week, bringing 20 more well-trained, talented newcomers into Africa’s growing film and television industry.
MultiChoice Zimbabwe head of corporate affairs and public relations, Gerald Ngonyamo, said two Zimbabweans were among the graduates.
They are Anthony Chiturike and Tatenda Kombora, each of whom has had a potential career boost by successful participation in the latest academic year of the MTF project, which takes aspiring filmmakers and gives them a wide-ranging and in-depth platform from which to reach out into the world of professional filmmaking.
“We are also additionally excited that one of them, Anthony Chiturike, was an award winner from the class,” he said.
The MTF initiative, which has recently marked its 10th anniversary, was created by MultiChoice Africa, a Canal + Company to identify talent from across the continent and help them gain entry into — and add value to — the film and television industry with a substantial training programme at no cost to the students.
Academies that each run a course every year have been set up in Gauteng for South Africa, Lusaka for the rest of Southern Africa, Nairobi for East Africa and Lagos for West Africa.
In each of the years, the Southern African course has included at least two Zimbabweans, many of whom have moved into the field of film and TV production as a result of their training.
In a ceremony this week at the Zambian-Italian Cultural Centre in Lusaka, 2025-26 graduates were lauded for their effort and achievements and advised to aim high as the enter the world of professional film and television production and become part of the next generation of cinematic storytellers.
Behind them lies a rigorous curriculum covering the full spectrum of filmmaking, including directing, producing, cinematography, scriptwriting and editing. Part of the courses involved an online module, while the latter part of the course saw them attend classes at the Lusaka academy.
Beyond the classroom, the graduates have gained invaluable industry exposure and mentorship from seasoned professionals, spending time producing high-quality content that captures authentic African narratives.
Said Mr Ngonyamo: “The MTF Academy in Lusaka remains a cornerstone of creative development on the continent and through its strategic partnership with the University of Zambia, the programme ensures that students receive a blend of academic training and hands-on, real-world production experience.
“We hope they become the backbone of premium African storytelling.”
The graduates also secured key roles in some of the region’s most successful productions during their course year, including Mpali, in which they played meaningful roles in keeping production standards high in this fan-favoured Zambian drama. Several students joined the crew of Zambian telenovela Zuba, as well as PaMango, where they added value in a different narrative format.
Special recognition awards were given to four students, one of whom was Zimbabwean Anthony Chiturike, who received the award for most outstanding work ethic.
“We congratulate him on this fine achievement, that reflects the dedication, creativity and resilience that define this graduating class,” said Mr Ngonyamo.
“As was said at the graduation ceremony, Anthony, Tatenda and their colleagues from across the region emerge industry-ready and well-prepared to drive the region’s creative ecosystem and tell our stories on a global scale.”
As preparations get under way to finalise and launch the class of 2026-27, the MultiChoice Talent Factory remains committed to empowering African talent and driving the sustainability of the continent’s creative industries through skills development, training, and opportunity creation.
