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Uefa Nations League: What it is, How it works and Where to watch it

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Uefa Nations League: What it is, How it works and Where to watch it

MultiChoice has announced that it has acquired rights to the brand-new UEFA Nations League and a host of international friendlies.

 

DStv customers will be treated to a festival of European national team football on SuperSport, played during the FIFA break starting this week.

Viewers will be able to watch over 25 matches in the next 6 days every single night from Wednesday 5 September to Tuesday 11 September, featuring European nations which fared so well in the recent FIFA World Cup.

The tournament will be broadcast live on SuperSport’s multiple platforms which include TV, online via the DStv Now App and digital.

Thursday’s opening fixtures feature two block-buster matchups; World champions France against a German side eager to make amends for their World Cup disappointment and World cup runners-up Croatia, led by the recently crowned UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, Luka Modric, facing off against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Other crackers on matchday one of the Nations Cup include England against Spain on Saturday and Portugal against Italy on Tuesday.

Broadcast details

Thursday 6 SeptemberKick-off (CAT)DStv
UEFA Nations LeagueKazakhstan vs Georgia16:00SS3A/ SS3N
UEFA Nations LeagueArmenia vs Liechtenstein18:00SS3A/ SS3N 
UEFA Nations LeagueWales vs Rep. Ireland20:45SS6A
UEFA Nations LeagueGermany vs France20:45SS3A / SS3N/Max 2
UEFA Nations LeagueSlovenia vs Bulgaria20:45SS11
UEFA Nations LeagueCzech Republic vs Ukraine20:45SS7A / SS7N
International FriendlyAustria vs Sweden20:45SS10A
International FriendlyNetherlands vs Peru20:45SS8A / Max 360
International FriendlyPortugal vs Croatia20:45SS5A / SS5N / Max 1

Friday 7 SeptemberKick-off (CAT)DStv
UEFA Nations LeagueAzerbaijan vs Kosovo18:00SS3A / SS3N 
UEFA Nations LeagueAlbania vs Israel20:45SS10A
UEFA Nations LeagueTurkey vs Russia20:45SS8A / Max 360
UEFA Nations LeagueItaly vs Poland20:45SS3A / SS3N / Max 1
International FriendlyScotland vs Belgium20:45SS7A / SS7N / Max 2

Saturday 8 SeptemberKick-off (CAT)DStv
UEFA Nations LeagueNorthern Ireland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina15:00SS3A / SS3N
UEFA Nations LeagueSwitzerland vs Iceland18:00SS3A / SS3N / Max 2
UEFA Nations LeagueFinland vs Hungary18:00SS7A / SS7N / SS10A
UEFA Nations LeagueEstonia vs Greece20:45SS7A / SS7N /SS10A / Max 360
UEFA Nations LeagueEngland vs Spain20:45SS3A/ SS3N / Max 1

Sunday 9 SeptemberKick-off (CAT)DStv
UEFA Nations LeagueUkraine vs Slovakia15:00SS3A / SS3N
UEFA Nations LeagueBulgaria vs Norway18:00SS4A
UEFA Nations LeagueDenmark vs Wales18:00SS3A / SS3N / Max 2
UEFA Nations LeagueFrance v Netherlands20:45SS3A / SS3N / Max 1
International FriendlyGermany vs Peru20:45SS7A / SS7N / SS10A

Monday 10 SeptemberKick-off (CAT)DStv
UEFA Nations LeagueScotland vs Albania20:45SS7A / SS7N/ SS10A
UEFA Nations LeagueSerbia vs Romania20:45SS9A / Max 2 
UEFA Nations LeagueSweden vs Turkey20:45SS5A / SS5N / SS10A 
UEFA Nations LeaguePortugal vs Italy20:45SS3A / SS3N / Max 1 
 
International FriendlyRussia vs Czech Republic18:00SS3A / SS3N / Max 1 

Tuesday 11 SeptemberKick-off (CAT)DStv 
UEFA Nations LeagueHungary vs Greece20:45SS10A / SS11 
UEFA Nations LeagueBosnia and Herzegovina vs Austria20:45SS4A 
UEFA Nations LeagueSpain vs Croatia20:45SS3A / SS3N / Max 1 
UEFA Nations LeagueIceland vs Belgium20:45SS6A / Max 360
International FriendlyPoland vs Republic of Ireland20:45SS7A / SS7N
International FriendlyNorthern Ireland vs Israel20:45SS8A
International FriendlyEngland vs Switzerland21:00SS5A / SS5N / Max 2

 

How the UEFA Nations League works 

To be played biannually, the tournament features all 55 UEFA member associations divided into four leagues; League A, B, C and D. Grouping of the teams into leagues is according to their rank in the UEFA rankings to ensure that they are evenly matched.

League A is made up of the top 12 ranked nations. The 12 are subdivided into four groups of three.

League B is made up of nations ranked from number 13 to 24 and they are also subdivided into four groups of three.

League C consists of the nations ranked from number 25 to 39. This league is also divided into four groups.

However, three of the groups have four teams each whilst the fourth group has three teams.

League D is made up of the 16 teams ranked from number 40 to 55. This league is subdivided into four groups of four.

The tournament’s champions will emerge from League A. The four group winners will from this league will contest the semi-finals, third-place playoff and the final, all to be played in June next year.

Nations finishing at the bottom of their groups in this league are relegated to League B.

League B group winners gain promotion to League A whilst the four nations finishing at the bottom of their groups are relegated to League C.

The same scenario applies to League C with group winners gaining promotion to League B and the last place finishers getting relegated to League D.

No team gets relegated in League D but group winners do gain promotion to League C.

A second chance to qualify for Euro 2020 is another element that will ensure that the tournament is competitive.

Should the 16 Nations League group winners or the next best placed teams fail to qualify for Euro 2020 during the qualification campaign scheduled to start in March next year, progress to a playoff to compete for the final four Euro 2020 spots.

Nations League group matches will be played on a home and away basis in the months of September, October and November 2018.

It’s Curtain Call at the 2018 AMVCAs as Stars Shine on TV’s Most Prestigious Night

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It’s Curtain Call at the 2018 AMVCAs as Stars Shine on TV’s Most Prestigious Night

On Saturday, the 1st of September 2018, the much anticipated 6th edition of the prestigious Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) held to much fanfare, glitz and glam at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

 

As expected, the crème de la crème of the African film, TV and entertainment industry turned out on the famous AMVCA red carpet.

The show, which was hosted by the returning duo of IK Osakioduwa and Minnie Dlamini started with an electrifying performance by the critically acclaimed Niger-Delta dance troupe, Seki.

Other performances of the night include renditions by famous singer-producer Cobhams Asuquo, and Nigerian opera singer, Omo Bello who performed together with her orchestra.

Nigerian rapper Falz also thrilled on the night, even as he won the ‘Best Supporting Actor in a Drama’ award.

The big winners of the night include Adjetey Anang and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde for ‘Best Actor in a Drama/Movie’ and ‘Best Actress in a Drama/Movie’ respectively while Jade Osiberu won in the ‘Best Director’ category for the movie ‘Isoken.’

Another highlight of the night was when renowned Nigerian cinematographer Tunde Kelani was presented with the Industry Merit award, a decision that was well received by the audience as evidenced by a prolonged standing ovation.

In the same vein, the Trailblazer Award was given to Bisola Aiyeola in recognition of her growing impact in the African film and TV space.

The crowning of the night was the announcement of Phoebe Ruguru’s ’18 Hours’ as the Best Overall movie, a fitting tribute to an event that featured many other Kenyan winners.

 

See the full list of winners at the 2018 AMVCAs below:

 

S/NOCATEGORY 
1BEST DOCUMENTARY 
 THE FLESH BUSINESSDENIS WANJOHI MAINA
   
2BEST TELEVISION SERIES 
 THIS IS ITDOLAPO ADELEKE (LOWLA DEE)
   
3BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER MOVIE OR TV SERIES 
 OKAFOR’S LAWYINKA EDWARD
   
4BEST MOVIE EAST AFRICA 
 18 HOURSPHOEBE RUGURU
   
5BEST WRITER (MOVIE/TV SERIES) 
 ALTER EGOPATRICK NNAMANI, KOYE O, MOSES INWANG
   
6BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE MOVIE OR TV SERIES – YORUBA 
 ETIKO ONIGEDUFEMI ADEBAYO
   
7BEST LIGHTING DESIGNER MOVIE OR TV SERIES 
 TATUAKPE ODODORU, TUNDE AKINNIYI
   
8BEST PICTURE EDITOR MOVIE/TV SERIES 
 18 HOURSMARK MAINA
   
9BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE MOVIE OR TV SERIES – IGBO 
 BOUNDLILIAN AFEGBAI
   
10BEST SOUND EDITOR MOVIE OR TV SERIES 
 TATUKOLADE MORAKINYO, PIUS FATOKE
   
11BEST SOUND TRACK MOVIE OR TV SERIES 
 TATUEVELLE
   
12BEST COSTUME DESIGNER MOVIE OR TV SERIES 
 THE BRIDGENGOZI OBASI, JAMES BESSINONE
   
13BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE MOVIE OR TV SERIES – HAUSA 
 MANSOORALI NUHU
   
14BEST MAKE UP ARTIST MOVIE OR TV SERIES 
 TATUTHELMA OZY SMITH, HAKEEM EFFECT ONILOGBO
   
15BEST ART DIRECTOR MOVIE OR TV SERIES 
 LOTANNATUNJI AFOLAYAN
   
16BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE MOVIE OR TV SERIES – SWAHILI 
 SUPA MODOSARIKA HEMI LAKHANI
   
17BEST MOVIE SOUTHERN AFRICA 
 THE ROAD TO SUNRISESHEMU JOYAH
   
18BEST DIRECTOR MOVIE 
 ISOKENJADE OSIBERU
   
19BEST MOVIE WEST AFRICA 
 ISOKENJADE OSIBERU
   
20BEST OVERALL MOVIE 
 18 HOURSPHOEBE RUGURU
   
21BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY (MOVIE/TV SERIES) 
 A MILLION BABYODUNLADE ADEKOLA
   
22BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA (MOVIE/TV SERIES) 
 KETEKEADJETEY ANANG
   
23BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY (MOVIE/TV SERIES) 
 AUNTIE BOSSNYCE WANJERI
  
24BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA (MOVIE/TV SERIES) 
 ALTER EGO

Afro-fusion group heads for Chibuku Road to Fame finals

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Afro-fusion group heads for Chibuku Road to Fame finals

Afro-fusion group Jesa were the runaway winners during the Harare edition of the Chibuku Road to Fame competition held over the weekend.

 

The regional finals which were held at Zimunhu Beerhall in Epworth, saw Jesa toppling eight other bands.

On top of the $500 prize money, the group got an automatic qualification to the national finals which will be held on September 29 at Glamis Arena in Harare where they will meet representatives of the other nine provinces.

The second position went to Vedu while African Roots took the third spot.

2nd prize winners, Vedu Picture by Patricia Daka

Speaking Zimbuzz, one of the judges Mono Mkundu bemoaned the lack of originality in most sungura outfits that showcased, whilst hailing the Afro-fusion groups for their confidence and originality.

“The sungura guys were not original, they were all copying Alick Macheso whilst each of the Afro-fusion guys had a unique sound,” he said.

“The Afro-fusion guys displayed a lot of confidence, remember confidence is part of the performance, but the majority of the sungura guys seemed jittery or shy and it affected their performance.

“Their ability to capture the audience’s attention with their performance and dressing were second to none.”

This years’ competition had five Sungura outfits and four afro-fusion bands.

The Chibuku Road to Fame is arguably Zimbabwe’s biggest and most successful talent identification platform.

It is a collaborative effort between Delta Beverages and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe with the view to identify and promote talent in music.

Multichoice Launches Brand New Channel

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Multichoice Launches Brand New Channel

MultiChoice has launched Star Life, a new broad-range entertainment channel on DStv featuring Indian-themed content that will have broad appeal to audiences across the African continent.

 

Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe, said Star Life launched on August 27 and is a 24/7 English-language channel available on DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact and Family bouquets.

“The channel has a wide range of entertainment offerings and will have appeal to all members of the family,” she said.

Star Life will showcase family dramas, soaps and celebrity dance shows, as well as movies from its library of A-List Bollywood films.

“Star Life is a remarkable addition to the DStv content offering with shows that aim to tell stories about weaknesses, strengths, miracles and victories, all aimed at allowing audiences across Africa to relate to them,” said Ms Dziva.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of 21st Century Fox, Star has been described as the undisputed global powerhouse in Indian programming and a market leader in most of the 100 or so countries in which it broadcasts.

“Star Life brings to Africa extraordinary journeys of ordinary people, progressive storylines, inspirational characters and compelling dramas, produced to the highest international production standards,” said Ms Dziva.

8L Pulls Off the Perfect Restaurant Proposal

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8L Pulls Off the Perfect Restaurant Proposal

From 8L the rapper to 8L the singer and vice versa, The award-winning musician enjoys swapping spitting bars with soaring melodies.

 

In his new offering Ntombazana 8L again, provides his fans with his own type of Afro-pop.

The video which was shot in an expensive restaurant tackles the challenges of dating a famous person as he is always swamped with fans of the opposite sex.

8L’s girlfriend seats on a table alone, checking her phone constantly and almost believing that she has been stood up by the brother, only for him to emerge a moment later.

Throughout the song, he affirms his love for the woman with a promise that one day they will wed, he also allays her fears of being left.

He has a perfect surprise for his Ntombi, they say waiting until dessert provides a sweet ending to a perfect dinner date, but not in his rule book.

He pops the question before the meal.

As if proposing to someone weren’t terrifying enough, doing so in a public place like a restaurant raises the stakes exponentially.

Not only could a bunch of strangers witness your rejection, but a “no” is guaranteed to ruin your expensive, delicious meal, the risk is even higher with an angry woman.

Restaurant proposals tend to adhere to a pretty obvious format—but that doesn’t make them any less magical for the couple.

Before the snacks even hit their table—BAM the ring. Ok, we don’t recommend doing that to an angry and hungry woman.

Feed the girlf first OK!

Overwhelmed in premarital bliss she forgets all of the guy’s misgiving and wore the rock!

It a nice easy listening to song, with a relaxing vibe

Check the video below

 

Chibuku Neshamwari Dance Festival Finals Quakes Mutare!!

Michael Shoko
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Chibuku Neshamwari Dance Festival Finals Quakes Mutare!!

Chibuku Neshamwari Dance Festival celebrated its 55th anniversary in Mutare at the weekend with a dash of pop culture.

 

The festival which has been running since 1963, this year partnered with DreamStar to rope in the modern dance styles popular among the millennials.

Manicaland Show Grounds illuminated with joy and as the young and old partied together despite differences in generational preferences.

It was a stiff completion for the 10 groups which won their provincial battles in the traditional categories, with each bringing on their ‘A’ game.

The choreographies on display were carefully executed; the attires were carefully selected, giving the judges an expected headache in choosing the winners.

Eventually, mother luck smiled on the fortunate ones…

Taking third place was Bolamba Performing Arts hailing from Matabeleland South taking home $3000, the group wowed the fans with their Tswana-borrowed dances which they performed wearing nude skin colours.

Bolamba Performing Arts

Mashonaland East based Makarekare swooped the second spot with their Jerusarema-Mbende dances and walked away with $5000.

Makarekare

The biggest winners’ cheque of $7000 went to Dinhe dancers, Guruve Marimba Arts Ensemble who were representing Mashonaland Central.

The group also won the right to represent Zimbabwe in China at various dance exhibitions.

Speaking to Zimbuzz after their win, the group’s director Clemence Yolani said the hard work had finally paid off.

Guruve Marimba Arts Ensemble

“We have been practising a lot, we have had less sleep trying to perfect our dances and I’m glad the group was rewarded for its hard work,” he said.

This was the second time that Guruve Marimba Arts Ensemble won the competition after winning it in 2010.

Yolani said they were going to share part of the $7000 but will also spare some to pay for their props, attires and servicing of their vehicles.

Meanwhile, the competition in the DreamStar contemporary dances was also as much hot as the traditional ones.

Five groups took to the stage and left everything there…Four were from Harare and one was from Bulawayo.

Peter and Vein

Balle dancers Peter and Vein took the winning price of $3000 which also include a trip to China, Second price went to Chosen taking home $2000. The third price of $1000 was given to Forgotten Tribe.

Carl Joshua Ncube has high hopes of landing the Savanna Comic Award

Bryan Zhawi
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Carl Joshua Ncube has high hopes of landing the Savanna Comic Award

According to Comedy Central Africa, Carl Joshua Ncube has to be the funniest comedian Zimbabwe’s ever produced.

 

This was after being featured on an all-star line-up at the Comedy Central International Comedy Festival Best of Africa in South Africa, where he joined an ensemble cast of some of the best comedians in Africa.

A 2017 Ted Fellow, Carl Joshua Ncube greeted his second nomination for the Savanna Pan-Africa Comic of the Year Award with much excitement.

Speaking to Zimbuzz about his ‘double excitement’ over a second consecutive nomination comic of the year award category, it’s apparent the recognition means a lot to the Stand-up Comedian.

“I’m doubly excited to be nominated consecutively at such a big platform as it is a sign of hardworking and it’s not everyone who managed to make that list of five,” said Ncube ahead of the Awards slated for 8 September.

Basketmouth, a Nigerian comedian won the award last year, his name is also in the mix this time around as well Uganda’s Kansiime Anne and Salvador, Botswana based Zimbabwean Charles Manase to complete the nominees’ list of five.

“I have high hopes that this time around I will win this award compared to what I felt last year,” said an optimistic Ncube.

The 39-year-old has risen to be one of Zimbabwe’s top comedians and it’s no surprise CNN’s African Voices has tagged him as the new face of Zimbabwean comedy.

Ncube is based in the resort town of Victoria Falls where he is a General Manager at The Zambezi House Restaurant but that doesn’t stop him from cracking ribs of his guests.

Carl Joshua Ncube

“Everyday I do comedy to the guests at the restaurant and it has become one of the great initiatives which lure more guests,” he said.

Stand-up comedy lovers could be wondering where Ncube will be cracking ribs in the next few months.

“I am planning for a national tour and a few international shows later in the year,” he revealed.

“Comedy industry needs a lot of travelling and inter-society interaction as a way of being internationally recognized.”

For someone who has been in the business for quite some time, who does he see as the future of Stand-up comedy in Zimbabwe?

“Tinaye Wayne and Wellency Kadem are upcoming comedians who are working hard to take the industry far both locally and internationally.”

The competition organisers said it has always been the vision of The Annual South African Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards to go beyond South Africa and open the borders of the local industry to the comedy family across the continent.

“There may be many languages spoken in Africa, but it is the language of humour that connects us all,” said the organisers in a statement.

Chillspot Family bringing the ‘chilli’ to the Charly Black Show

Donald Gwasira
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Chillspot Family bringing the ‘chilli’ to the Charly Black Show

The leading dancehall factory in the country, the Chillspot Family has promised nothing short of an exclusive and energy filled performance ahead of their maiden appearance at the Charly Black show.

 

The show dubbed Party Animal Reloaded happens at the Long Cheng grounds on Agust 4.

In an interview, Fantan one of the Chillspot Family leaders said the event on the 4th of August is the first big event for the camp this year.

“it is an honour and a lifetime achievement to perform alongside Charly Black especially with the new breed of artists we have at Chillspot,” said Fantan.

Amongst the Chillspot recording artists are Nutty O, Poptain, Bazooker, HKD-Mbare and Uncle Epaton who are currently riding high after they created a frenzy on “Panomhanya Munhu” riddim.

Charly Black

Selekta Base, Soul Jah Love, RayDizz, Kadhija, DaShoca, Mr Sincleer to mention just a few are some of the artists to share the stage with Charly Black.

Jamaican star Charly Black is making a second return to Zimbabwe with his previous sellout show being characterised by his Caribbean energy.

David House, Werraz Entertainment and Shisaka Entertainment are the major sponsors of the ‘Party Animal Reloaded’

Tickets are available at Zimpost (Opp Ximex) Harare Main Post Office Shop 16 (HKD SHOP) with limited advance tickets going for $10 whilst the Vip is $25 and $50 for the VVIP.

You can also purchase your tickets online via www.webtickets.co.zw

Beefy’s Extravagant Celebrity Party a fête for the Famous

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Beefy’s Extravagant Celebrity Party a fête for the Famous

As the winters are beginning to exhale, the A-Listers are looking for something fun to do and Pablo’Z in Borrowdale Sam Levy is going to be the playground.

 

Aldrian Beefy Harrison celebrates his annual exclusive Celebrity birthday this Saturday 28 July with a promise of a memorable experience.

The businessman and Zim Hip Hop Awards chairman said the attendees will have an option of a chauffeur-driven limousine.

“We are going to have a limousine shuttle dropping people at the red carpet as they prepare to take photos before entering the venue,” he said.

“Every year we make sure that our guests are given a five-star treatment that matches their celebrity star quality, so Saturday will be no different.

Aldrian Beefy Harrison

He had something to say about the choice of venue this year.

“We are hosting the fete at one of my favourite venues, Pablo’Z because I believe the nightclub provides a pinnacle of cutting-edge Zimbabwe nightlife,” said Aldrian Beefy Harrison.

The annual A-List Party always leave guests in the best mood with memories to last a lifetime, and 28 July is going to be another of those.

Thousands of filmmakers enter the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy

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Thousands of filmmakers enter the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy

Thousands of entries have been received from across Africa for the MultiChoice Talent Factory academies that will be launched in October, when a group of film-makers from Zimbabwe and other countries will start a year-long course initiated by MultiChoice Africa.

 

Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe, said the month-long call for entries had received a good response, including a good selection of applications from Zimbabweans interested in taking part.

“The extensive response received from the 13 participating countries in western, eastern and southern Africa indicates that there is a tremendous need for the comprehensive educational programme that the MTF initiative will provide,” she said.

“It shows that emerging African creatives are eager to further their post-school education, as well as advance their skills and industry experience, although they are not always financially equipped to follow their passion.

“The selection process is now underway and will result in 60 of the most noteworthy candidates being given the opportunity to hone their television and film production skills during the year-long, funded programme that starts on October 1.”

The comprehensive MTF curriculum will provide participants with theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing and audio production, with a focus on storytelling.

It will be delivered at three MTF academies that will each be overseen by an experienced director:

Ms Njoki Muhoho, an award-winning script writer, heading up the MTF academy in eastern Africa; Mr Femi Odugbemi, a renowned film director and producer, overseeing the western African academy.

Mr Berry Lwando, a broadcaster with 28 years’ experience, who will run the southern African academy situated in Lusaka, Zambia.

Mr Berry Lwando will run the southern African academy situated in Lusaka, Zambia.

Mr Lwando is excited about the plan for a training initiative on scale never seen previously in Africa.

He said: “Southern Africa’s film and TV industry is developing rapidly and we will contribute to positive and developmental change with the MultiChoice Talent Factory, which will give southern African young people the potential to achieve greatness.

We are exceptionally pleased with the widespread response we received.”

The MTF programme has already garnered big support from public and private stakeholders, such as governments and creative organisations, and the initiative is open to collaboration with other partners in the entertainment sector to ensure that Africa’s creative industries are transformed into even greater and more vibrant, economic powerhouses.

Interested people can join the MTF social media conversation on #multichoicetalentfactory and can follow Instagram: @multichoicetalentfactory, Twitter: @MCTalentFactory and Facebook: @multichoiceafricatalentfactory.

An announcement will be made soon on the selected participants, once selection is completed.

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