As Africa Day 2024 was recently celebrated ,attention was drawn to the transformative power of education in nurturing talent and promoting sustainability within the African entertainment industry. The theme “Educate an African Fit For The 21st Century” was exemplified through the initiatives of MultiChoice, a leading entertainment company, specifically through its groundbreaking MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF). The potential of education in driving the continent’s creative and economic growth was highlighted through this program.
Africa’s vast reservoir of untapped potential was recognized, with 400 million young people aged between 15 and 35 residing on the continent. The key to unlocking this potential was identified as education, which has the power to transform these young individuals into the next generation of professionals across various fields, including the burgeoning creative sector. At the forefront of this educational revolution stood the MultiChoice Talent Factory, providing aspiring filmmakers and TV professionals with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive.
John Ugbe, CEO of MultiChoice West Africa, had highlighted the success of the MTF program: “An MTF survey has found that around 92% of MTF Academy graduates go on to work in the creative sector. Many of these young professionals go on to careers at MultiChoice, which bills itself as ‘Africa’s most-loved storyteller.'”
Significant career opportunities in the creative industry had been driven by the MTF initiative. With academies located in major African capitals such as Nairobi, Lagos, and Lusaka, practical skills were imparted through hands-on, relevant training. The effectiveness of the program was underscored by the high level of job absorption among MTF graduates, contributing to the wider economy.
“This level of absorption demonstrates another benefit of education in the African development journey: it unlocks the massive potential of the continent’s youthful population. Education is what will transform Africa’s 400 million young people aged between 15 and 35 into a generation of doctors, lawyers, financiers, engineers, and media professionals,” Ugbe had elaborated.
Cultural and spiritual education through storytelling had been significantly influenced by MTF. African creatives were trained to narrate African stories, educating audiences both within and outside the continent about Africa’s rich history and diverse talent. Opportunities for Africa to project its voice on the world stage were provided as these stories were showcased on global content platforms.
“These African stories also allow Africa to show the rest of the world the power of its history and the talent of its people, as our productions take their rightful place on global content platforms,” Ugbe had stated.
A multifaceted approach to professional development in the creative industry was offered by the MTF program. Besides the academies, the MTF Portal had served as a networking and work opportunity platform for professionals, fostering collaboration and career advancement. Additionally, MTF Masterclasses had ensured ongoing professional development, allowing participants to stay abreast of industry trends and techniques.
The achievements of the MultiChoice Talent Factory underscored the critical role of education in shaping the continent’s future as Africa Day 2024 was celebrated. By equipping young Africans with the skills to tell their stories and succeed in the creative sector, MTF was not only enhancing individual prospects but also contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of Africa.
The profound impact of education on the African development journey was demonstrated through the efforts of MultiChoice via the MTF initiative. A generation of empowered, skilled, and creative professionals ready to lead Africa into a prosperous future was being paved as continued investment in educational programs tailored to the needs of the 21st century was made.
