Adriano Visagie and MultiChoice join forces to empower grassroots filmmakers

Prominent Namibian actor and TV presenter Adriano Visagie has embarked on a transformative journey to uplift the local film industry by spearheading a year-long masterclass programme in collaboration with MultiChoice Namibia.

The MultiChoice Spotlight masterclass series is designed to equip grassroots-level Namibian filmmakers and performers with performance, industry and entrepreneurial knowledge.

The quarterly programme will feature themed in-person sessions that build into a cohesive learning journey over the year.

The initiative is rooted in Visagie’s personal journey and early motivation to see more authentic representation on screen. “The MultiChoice Spotlight was born from that purpose where passion meets business," Visagie said.

"The film, theatre and performance ecosystem is vast, yet many talented voices remain excluded from access and opportunity,” he added.

The initiative, which comprises four distinct classes, aims to professionalise the industry.

Visagie said the programme will pave the way for future generations to view the creative sector not just as a hobby, but as a viable 8-to-5 career. Aspiring creatives are reminded that applications for the programme close on 18 February.

Hard work and passion

Visagie spoke about his acting career recently during an interview on Reel Spill on NTV, describing a path defined by determination rather than privilege.

“I come from a family that didn’t have everything; nothing was given to me on a silver platter,” he reflected. “Deciding to pursue a career in the creative sector was not easy.”

His passion for performance was first sparked by church plays and a love of English literature and reading, eventually leading him to become a household name who carries his country with pride.

While Visagie has featured in numerous celebrated films, including the widely known Kapana, he holds a special connection to Salute. During the interview, he described it as one of his personal favourites, particularly because of the story’s depth.

“Salute has always been very close to my heart, because in high school when I started debating, we started talking about the usage of condoms in school facilities. And almost 20 years later, it’s still an unspoken reality."

He added: "Nowadays, you see people in prisons coming out positive and people getting pregnant in prisons; those are the realities of what we're facing. So having had someone say that this Salute story is my story, that for me has always touched my soul."

With personal interests ranging from cooking to hiking, Visagie remains grounded, while his focus is firmly set on the next generation of storytellers.

Through the MultiChoice Masterclass, he hopes to equip them with the tools to tell their own stories and represent Namibia on the global stage.