Namibian Sun

Michelline Nawatises





Despite the challenging year that was 2020, MultiChoice Namibia is thrilled to congratulate the MTF Academy class of 2020 on their graduation!

Last year was undoubtedly tough due to COVID-19, but the ability of all the 60 students from the Lusaka, Nairobi and Lagos academy hubs to quickly adapt and transition from physical to virtual learning, speaks to the world-class nature of the academy’s course, says Yolisa Phahle, CEO of general entertainment and connected services at the MultiChoice Group.

The students’ academic course was extended from 12 to 18 months due to the pandemic. This additional time translated to the students walking away with not one, but two qualifications, making them even more sought-after as they re-enter their respective local film and TV sectors as highly qualified industry professionals. Alongside their MTF qualification, the students also walk away with an equally illustrious qualification from the prestigious New York Film Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (NYFA).

Africa’s creative industries are custodians of the continent’s cultural heritage, and as Africa’s most-loved storyteller, MultiChoice has always put to use its burning desire to develop and invest in African talent through initiatives such as MTF. And like the previous cohort, the skills gained by the class of 2020 once again shone through during their course.

The students completed an intensive 3-week online NYFA course on the production of micro-documentaries, PSAs and music videos and also worked with the United Nations on the global #PledgeToPause campaign, exposing the young creatives to global networks. In addition, MTF graduates are now part of the MTF alumni network and connected to industry professionals from across the continent through the MTF Portal.

An 8-week scriptwriting internship on an animation series from global consulting and solutions integration company, Nihilent Technologies, was awarded to Hilma Sheehama from Namibia as she was the top-performing graduate from Namibia.

Jasco Broadcast Solutions will provide one AVID media composer licence to the most promising film video editor per region. Riejhaat Wolhuter from Namibia was amongst the students awarded the AVID Pro Tools license for the most promising sound engineer per region.

MultiChoice’s platforms will be giving students an amazing opportunity to work at M-Net local productions. Each winner will take part in a 4-week internship on M-Net productions equipping them with the skills they need to tell authentic and original African stories.

One of the students from Namibia, Shona Ngava, took to his Facebook page and expressed his gratitude. He said this is one of his biggest accomplishments. “I’m looking forward to immense growth and I couldn't be prouder to be associated with a brand as big as MultiChoice. This is also for the inner kid in me from Gobabis who has always had a passion and hunger for self-improvement,” he says proudly.

He further thanked Hilma Sheehama and Riejhaat RJ Wolhuter for entertaining his crazy ideas and for putting up with his antics. An honourable mention went out to the corporate affairs manager of MultiChoice Namibia, Levana Cloete, and Netumbo Nekomba, communications specialist for ensuring that the Namibian students were always sorted with whatever they needed during their time at the Multichoice Talent Factory.