MultiChoice Talent Factory is highlighting opportunities for emerging African filmmakers to move from skills training into professional careers and leadership positions within the television industry.
The programme will bring together industry executives and former students at FAME Week Africa in Cape Town on 29 October 2026 to examine how training, practical experience and access to commissioning opportunities can support career development in Africa’s creative sector.
With more than 140 South African alumni and 127 films produced for Mzansi Magic, MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) has created a route for emerging filmmakers to gain production experience and enter the industry. Some graduates have progressed into commissioning positions, while others have established production businesses through initiatives such as Extended Cut.
Among those participating in the discussion is Gcinashe Baruza, a 2019 MTF graduate who progressed from a commissioning internship on The River to becoming a Commissioning Editor for Scripted Content at MultiChoice Group, CANAL+. Her work includes Youngins and Homecoming.
Fellow graduate Sibonelo Dlamini, from the class of 2018, is now a Junior Commissioning Editor at MultiChoice Group, CANAL+. He has commissioned more than 30 local productions and works across content strategy, creative direction and production management.
Their career progression provides examples of how structured skills development, combined with access to industry opportunities, can help young African creatives move into positions where they influence which stories are produced and brought to television audiences.
The panel will also include Nicola van Niekerk, Senior Vice President of Content and Channels for South Africa at MultiChoice Group, CANAL+; Tebogo Matlawa, Head of Scripted Content for the Middle and Mass segments; and Nwabisa Binase, MultiChoice Talent Factory Group Programme Manager.
Van Niekerk said investing in emerging talent remains important to MultiChoice and CANAL+, particularly as graduates begin taking responsibility for commissioning, programming and shaping African television content.
The discussion will examine the transition from training to employment, the professional skills required for advancement and the role broadcasters and production companies play in creating opportunities for new entrants.
It will also consider how African filmmakers can gain experience on productions intended for both local and international audiences, with particular attention to the career pathways available after completing training programmes.
MultiChoice Corporate Communications Manager and MTF alumnus Lehlonoholo Tsotetsi will moderate the discussion, titled The Pipeline to Building Africa’s Next Generation of Industry Leaders.
The session takes place on Thursday, 29 October 2026, from 12:00 to 12:45 at MIP Theatre 1 during FAME Week Africa in Cape Town.
