WINDHOEK – Esther Beukes, Toivo Nghidipohamba and Sally Jason are the three young Namibians who have been selected to partake in the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy filmmaking training for 12 months starting October 1 in Zambia this year.
The candidates were chosen after two months of shortlisting candidates from over 3,000 entries from 13 countries in Africa. This was followed by a rigorous selection including interviews by film and television industry experts and regional academy directors. The 20 future filmmakers chosen from Southern Africa were selected based on their industry qualifications and skills, as well as their passion to tell Africa’s unique stories.
“At the MultiChoice Talent Factory, I’m hoping to gain the skills necessary to create quality content. More specifically learn how to package my product well enough to sell,” says one of the chosen participants, Esther Beukes from Windhoek. Beukes aims to create a television show on African culture. Beukes looks forward to a time when the creative industries will play a major role in driving Africa’s economy and in the future employing many more young creatives.
The 24-year-old Toivo Nghidipohamba, another participant, from Oshakati, currently the director at a multimedia and communication agency, says if he could create a television show it would be a science fiction drama. He is hoping to gain skills in a number of ways at the academy, and highlights the key areas as “production set experience, becoming an excellent director and expanding my visual effects skills”.
“I am passionate about creating a platform that tells the African story in all its forms,” says the emerging creative Sally Jason who is also one of the participants, from Lüderitz. The 26-year-old is a radio and digital presenter, social media coordinator and freelance master of ceremonies. “My dream is to be the creator of talk shows for Namibian and African audiences that celebrates, informs and entertains the people and resources the continent has to offer.” Jason hopes to gain much experience, obtain skills to bring back to Namibia and create locally inspired stories on all media platforms.
“This year-long programme will adequately train and upskill young African creators by providing them with invaluable hands-on industry experience that will give them the confidence to take on Hollywood. I hope it will show them that it’s possible to create a lucrative career in Africa’s film and television industry,” says broadcasting stalwart Berry Lwando, who will spearhead the Southern Africa MTF Academy hub in Zambia.
During the programme, MTF Academy trainees will produce television and film content that will be aired on local M-Net channels across the MultiChoice platforms including Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East, Maisha Magic Bongo, Zambezi Magic, M-Net and SuperSport to reach African audiences on the DStv and GOtv platforms.