Online Reporter
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
If television content is to connect with viewers, the creators need to reach into the hearts and minds of those viewers and deliver stories that resonate and succeed.
This is a message that has been delivered with consistency and vigour within the theory and practice that make up the core structure of the Multi-Choice Talent Factory (MTF) programme, an initiative that aims to upgrade Africa’s pool of filmmaking talent and enhance the standard of the continent’s productions for film and television output.
Multi-choice Zimbabwe head of corporate affairs and public relations, Gerald Ngonyamo, said the MTF programme had made substantial progress with both these ambitions, and the inclusion of Zimbabwean students in each year’s course numbers meant this country was very much part of that continental upgrade.
“Entertainment is ultimately a form of communication, forging human connections through the power of authentic content that stirs human emotions,” he said.
“An industry built on entertainment carries great mystique, with thousands of aspiring filmmakers dreaming of entering the sector.”
“Becoming a filmmaker is about telling stories that touch people’s souls.”
Ngonyamo said that in a recent discussion, leading industry executives felt that a production’s success was about resonance.
“They said it’s about meeting audiences where they are now, with content that reflects their world and speaks their language,” he said.
“It was felt that the most powerful productions don’t just entertain, but also evoke emotion and are a reflection of the truth. Connection happens when a story feels real, when viewers see themselves, their aspirations, or their struggles reflected on screen.” Multi-choice, a CANAL+ -owned company, has had three decades of producing content that seeks to enrich lives across Africa. Deciding which stories will make for quality television is a fundamental part of the work involved behind the scenes.
“The question is always whether the concept being presented is something that will be fresh, relatable and exciting for our audiences — and whether the vision on paper can be executed on screen,” said Ngonyamo.
From the commissioning stage, it is about achieving the highest possible production standards to achieve the technical levels that will do the story justice and help bring it to life.
“To connect with its audience, a production must balance creative excellence with production quality and pacing that keeps audiences engaged from beginning to end,” he said.
“Ultimately, the question asked is: does this story move people enough to make them talk about it, share it and come back for more?”
Achieving production quality relies on the talented teams that create shows and films — and, of course, skills come from training.
The pan-African Multi-choice Talent Factory initiative is dedicated to helping up-and-coming story-tellers develop their talent and enables them to make commercially viable shows that touch people’s hearts.
“Multi-choice invests in capacity building and mentorship through platforms like MTF,” said Ngonyamo.
“The three MTF academies in Lusaka, Nairobi and Lagos are places where young filmmakers learn to express their cultural identity through world-class storytelling techniques. Zimbabwean students gain added value at the Lusaka academy, which is for Southern Africa’s aspiring filmmakers.”
MTF training allows young filmmakers, that have included Zimbabwean students Tatenda Kombora and Anthony Chiturike, who were part of the 2025-2026 graduating class, to obtain practical experience beyond their theoretical training over the MTF programme.
They also contribute to the creative and production sectors, as graduates regularly secure jobs or start their own companies. MTF also develops talent for Multi-choice, which develops the industry. Ngonyamo said industry-relevant training was invaluable, but the raw material that MultiChoice traded in was actual stories, which needed sound foundations.
“Do your research. Stay close to your audience. Speak to people. Don’t sit in a corner and write in isolation,” he said.
“Understand what people want. Yes, we want to surprise audiences — but that comes from insights you only gain by engaging with the world around you.”
“Whether it’s joy, pain, triumph, or struggle, audiences connect to honesty on screen. Don’t chase trends; chase meaning. Craft your story with care, ground it in real emotion, and present it with excellence. If your story touches hearts, changes perceptions, or starts conversations, then you’ve succeeded.”
