By Abdi Ali
Published July 15, 2022
A training initiative by Multichoice, a South Africa-based pan African broadcaster, is expected to take the African TV sector skills to a new level and boost the quality of content for audiences across the continent.
Offered through MultiChoice industry-development and training programme called MultiChoice Talent Factory, this initiative that comprises online learning, masterclasses and hands-on experience is a collaborative project between MultiChoice and local television channels in various African territories.
“Our vision is to upskill production professionals, and to raise the standard of productions right across Africa,” says Fhulufhelo Badugela, CEO of MultiChoice Africa. “This will boost Africa’s film and television industry exponentially, because as you capacitate more people, more people are motivated to start projects, and everybody benefits, including the viewers. The most immediate impact will be to raise the standard of productions across Africa.”
MultiChoice says it shall partner with local broadcasters to help develop skills in the various territories in critical production skills such as post-production, sound, screenwriting, 3D animation and cinematography.
The programme’s online-learning component enables MultiChoice to reach as many content creators as possible, across the continent, while also allowing working professionals to do courses at their own pace.
The programme will initially reach 300 broadcast workers who are already producing content in their local markets through e-learning.
“Local broadcasters are the grassroots of the TV industry in every country,” Badugela says. “By building the industry we are enabling local job creation, enabling an industry to contribute to the economy and responding to the ongoing consumer demand for quality local entertainment.”
Masterclasses will be held in person and also broadcast online with local and international industry leaders. The focus is on creating and curating masterclasses that are fit for purpose and meet the needs of each country.
“Improving the skills of our TV professionals will give audiences more choice and more chance to see themselves reflected in the content they consume. It’s about quality African content for African viewers,” Badugela concludes.