MultiChoice Zambia hikes DStv fees by up to over 18% from April 2025

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Zambia will hike DStv and GOtv monthly subscription fees by up to over 18% from April 2025.

From April, MultiChoice Zambia is hiking DStv Premium by 17.6% from K1420 to K1670, while DStv Compact Plus subscribers is getting a massive increase of 18.4% from K920 to K1090.

DStv Compact is increased 18% from K610 to K720, with DStv Family increased 18.3% from K410 to K485.

DStv Access is increased 16% from K220 to K255, with DStv Lite increased 17.8% from K140 to K165.

GOtv Supa+ is increased 18% from K610 to K720, GOtv Supa is increased 16% from K375 to K435, while GOtv Max is increased 18.3% from K300 to K355.

Zambia and Nigeria are MultiChoice Africa's two biggest problem markets where worsening economic conditions, coupled with weakened currencies and rampant inflation have seen an increase in churn and subscriber losses.

MultiChoice Zambia shuts shops and service centre outlets as over 100 staffers lose their jobs.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Zambia is shutting several shops and service centre outlets across Zambia at the end of the month that will see over 100 people lose their jobs.

MultiChoice in response to a media query confirmed to TVwithThinus that it is shuttering branches across Lusaka and Kitwe at the end of June as part of "a business optimisation process" with others elsewhere in the country to follow.

Over 100 people working in Eastpark Mall in Lusaka, the ECL Mall and others will close down at the end of this month. 

"MultiChoice Zambia will be implementing a business optimisation process and to this effect, we will be restructuring our branches and migrating service to our full-service centre agencies The impacted branches are ECL Kitwe, Ndola Rekays, East Park and Manda Hill," MultiChoice Zambia says in a holding statement.

"The objective is to optimise and integrate customer experience in line with the mission to deliver value to customers by making great entertainment more accessible through cutting-edge technology. The business is optimising its operations to align with an advanced customer service delivery model, whilst increasing agility amidst challenging economic conditions," the company says.

"Operating in an industry driven by advancing technologies, the business must continue to drive efficiencies, whilst being responsive to evolving customer needs to ensure that the business remains relevant, competitive and sustainable in a challenging macro-economic environment," says Leah Kooma, MultiChoice Zambia managing director.

"As a responsible corporate citizen, we have worked hard to minimise the impact of this change on our people and remain committed to supporting all staff that will be affected. The process is guided by the labour laws of Zambia."

MultiChoice Zambia the latest in Africa to announce a DStv and GOtv price hike of up to 9% from August 2023.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Zambia is the latest to announce a DStv price hike from August 2023, following after DStv and GOtv price increases since March this year ranging from South Africa to Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, from July in Tanzania and even a shocking second price hike within months in Kenya.

MultiChoice Zambia says an "extreme global economic climate" is to blame for increasing DStv and GOtv prices in the African country from 1 August 2023. 

MultiChoice's cheapest pay-TV offering in the country, GOtv Value, is seeing a shocking 9% price hike from next month.

Leah Kooma, MultiChoice Zambia managing director, says "MultiChoice has adjusted the prices of some of its packages on DStv and GOtv" and that it is "due to the impact of the extreme global economic climate".

According to MultiChoice Africa, DStv Compact Plus in Zambia is increasing 2.6% from K750 to K770; DStv Compact is increasing 4% from K500 to K520, DStv Family is increasing 6.1% from K325 to K345, and DStv Access is increasing 5.5% from K180 to K190.

MultiChoice Africa is hiking Zambia's GOtv prices by 2% for GOtv Max from K250 to K255, 2.7% for GOtv Plus going from K185 to K190 from August, while GOtv Value in increasing 9% from K110 to K120.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice Kenya to do second DStv price hike by up to 6% from August; second price hike in a year comes just four months after the last 10% increase in April.

ALSO READ: DStv Liberia announces massive subscription fee price drop from July 2023 and says reduction is its way to thanks DStv subscribers for their loyalty.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice Tanzania increases DStv prices by up to 8.8% from July 2023 as the latest African country getting a DStv price hike.

ALSO READ: PRICE HIKE. MultiChoice Ghana hiked fees by 19% in 2023, blames country's deteriorating economy as well as currency devaluation and fuel costs.

ALSO READ: PRICE HIKE. MultiChoice Nigeria hikes DStv prices again from May 2023 by up to 22.2% with cheapest GOtv bouquet seeing biggest price hike.

ALSO READ: SHOCKER. MultiChoice Kenya does second DStv price hike of up to 10% from April 2023 just 7 months after last fee increase, angry subscribers say they're cancelling and going to streaming.

ALSO READ: Six months after its last increase MultiChoice Uganda does another DStv price hike from April 2023 up to 10.25% as outraged subscribers slam pay-TV operator for 'garbage' content that's 'repeated and super old' .

ALSO READ: MultiChoice: Here is the pay-TV company's DStv pricing from April 2023.

MultiChoice appoints Kobus Bezuidenhout as MultiChoice Africa Southern region director, Leah Kooma as MultiChoice Zambia managing director.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice has promoted Kobus Bezuidenhout to the position of MultiChoice Africa Southern region director, with Leah Kooma who has been moved into his former position and has been appointed as new MultiChoice Zambia managing director from August.

Kobus Bezuidenhout served as MultiChoice Zambia managing director for just over the past two years since April 2019 before which he was also a MultiChoice regional director for West Africa based in Ghana, and worked for MultiChoice Nigeria for 8 years as general manager.

Leah Kooma has been MultiChoice Zambia's chief customer officer until now. She joined MultiChoice in 2017 as GOtv Zambia commercial general manager.

Leah Kooma holds a degree in development studies and economics from the University of Zambia and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Wales.

Kobus Bezuidenhout in a statement, speaking about Leah Kooma'sappointment, says "We firmly believe that Leah will be instrumental in propelling the business to the next level. Leah has already contributed immensely to the many achievements and success of the Zambia team and I have no doubt she will excel in this new position".

"As MultiChoice we are managed and run by local talent and strive to provide all our employees with new opportunities to enhance and increase expertise. Leah Kooma brings a wealth of experience to her new role of providing strategic leadership to the team and strategies aligned with driving the growth of MultiChoice Zambia."

Leah Kooma says "I couldn't be more honoured to have been chosen to lead the Zambia business. I look forward to leading this team and to driving our digital and customer-first strategies to the next level".

MultiChoice Zambia hikes DStv subscription fees by up to 10% from 1 April 2019 due to inflation and rising programming costs.

MultiChoice Zambia will hike DStv subscriptions by 10% in Zambia from 1 April 2019 due to inflation and rising programming and operational costs.

In an SMS message to DStv subscribers, MultiChoice Zambia told customers to: "Please note the price adjustment effective 1st April 2019. DStv Access K115, DStv Family K210, DStv Compact K330, DStv Compact Plus K490, DStv Premium K850, DStv Access Fee K110".

The last time MultiChoice Zambia adjusted DStv subscription fees was in September 2017 when monthly fees were lowered.

In a statement, MultiChoice Zambia says that in the past 3 years it has made an effort to freeze or decrease DStv subscription fees, barring factors such as the devaluation of Zambia's currency or other macro-economic headwinds.

"Unfortunately, because of inflation which stands at 8.10% in Zambia and the rising programming and operational costs, we've had to review our pricing for us to remain sustainable as a business and continue bringing our valued customers the quality video entertainment content they love – anytime, anywhere."

"We appreciate your continued support and for sharing your quality-time with us as we entertained you this past year," says MultiChoice Zambia.

'Gay' reality show Lusaka Hustle back on MultiChoice Zambia and M-Net's Zambezi Magic channel on DStv after shocking censorship.

The "gay" reality show, Lusaka Hustle, following three Zambian socialites are back on MultiChoice Zambia and M-Net's Zambezi Magic (DStv 160) channel on DStv in Southern Africa after Zambia's censorship-prone broadcasting regulator, the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) lifted its idiotic and irrational ban and the suspension of the show.

Zambia's IBA didn't respond to emailed media enquiries about the controversial decision to order a ban on Lusaka Hustle, ordering its removal from the DStv airwaves in Zambia and multiple countries across Southern Africa.

Zambia's Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) refused to admit it was wrong in banning and censoring Lusaka Hustle, only for the wayward regulator to then lift the ban this week without any changes or sanction.

The IBA has been silent on exactly why it banned Lusaka Hustle in the first place and what censorship laws the Zambian programme broke.

Interestingly, in a shocking dereliction of duty but not uncommon for a country with an underdeveloped TV and broadcasting industry and problems with freedom of speech, Zambia's incompetent IBA also ordered the ban before and without ever even watching Lusaka Hustle - simply censoring local TV content without actually seeing it, screening it, or providing specific reasons for where and how the show crossed Zambia's censors.

M-Net and MultiChoice showed a new episode of Lusaka Hustle on Thursday night, 21 February on Zambezi Magic.

Lusaka Hustle that started on 24 January, initially got in the crosshairs Godfridah Sumaili, Zambia's minister for religious affairs and national guidance, who complained that Lusaka Hustle features a character with "gay tendencies" and wearing a dress - a complaint that went viral on social media.

Social media amplified the outrage about the programme that follows three local, flamboyant Zambian celebrities and their drama-filled daily lives - Thandi Vundamina, Cleo Ice Queen and the singer Kuni (Mukuni Godfrey Mulundika), with Kuni who appears in Lusaka Hustle's promotional poster art in a flowing white robe.

Some viewers were disturbed that Kuni wore a dress in a recent episode while doing a spa day in Lusaka.

It is the second censorship of content on Zambezi Magic since the debut of the M-Net packaged and produced channel that is meant as a Southern African version of South Africa's successful Mzansi Magic channel.

Lusaka Hustle was yanked off the air, unwillingly, by MultiChoice Zambia and M-Net's Zambezi Magic channel to comply with the head-scratching order from Zambia's Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), that ordered Lusaka Hustle off the air, over allegedly showing and promoting "gay tendencies".

MultiChoice Africa and M-Net said that it was proud of Lusaka Hustle and was "still unclear about which aspects of the show contravene Zambian law".

Zambia's information ministry that apparently has direct censorship power of what Zambian citizens can and can't see, then also weighed in and also ordered MultiChoice Zambia and M-Net to edit the Lusaka Hustle before it would be allowed back on Zambezi Magic.

Chanda Kasolo, Zambia's information and broadcasting services secretary in an interview on QTV News, reportedly said that MultiChoice and M-Net must censor episodes of Lusaka Hustle and must censor the alleged gayness away.

Chanda Kasolo said that this is the medium-term solution that Zambia's homophobic government has agreed upon with MultiChoice Zambia.

Chanda Kasolo in the interview that Zambia's government in the long-term will decide what restrictions exiting laws impose in terms of censorship of TV programming in Zambia, and that the promotion and practice of homosexuality through television programming is illegal in Zambia.

MultiChoice Zambia and M-Net were asked whether it agreed to edit, make changes and censor episodes of Lusaka Hustle as has been reportedly demanded by the Zambian government but MultiChoice Zambia didn't answer the specific question put to it by TVwithThinus in a media enquiry.

MultiChoice Zambia in a statement to TVwithThinus only says "MultiChoice Zambia is thankful to the IBA board for convening a multi-stakeholder forum to assess concerns about the Lusaka Hustle show."

"We are pleased to confirm the immediate lifting of the suspension and the board’s confirmation that upcoming episodes contain no controversial elements that violate any Zambian law. MultiChoice Zambia has engaged Zambezi Magic to resume the scheduling of the show on Thursday, 21 February 2019."

M-Net's Zambezi Magic in a statement says "Zambezi Magic is delighted to advise fans of Lusaka Hustle that their favourite reality show will resume on DStv on Thursday, 21 February 2019. Zambezi Magic, together with the cast and crew, wish to thank the viewers for their patience and understanding during this process."

Growing authoritarian censorship threat for TV content in Africa

It is the second censorship of content on Zambezi Magic since the debut of the M-Net packaged and produced channel that is meant as a Southern African version of South Africa's successful Mzansi Magic channel.

In November 2017 the show Talk with Kwangu was censored and pulled off the air on Zambezi Magic, following Zambian government interference and pressure.

Zambezi Magic is aimed at helping producers in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Eswatini to get their original content from their countries on the air for local DStv audiences to enjoy.

Zambia's latest TV censorship is not just raising questions around the clampdown of freedom of speech and freedom of expression in the country, but is also worrying Zambian TV and film producers who don't feel that their local work is valued in their own country, with more and more producers looking across borders and outside of Zambia to pitch their projects.

The biggest concern around the ban that was emposed on Lusaka Hustle, however, revolves around how draconian censorship of TV content in just one African country will once again that the censored show will become unavailable to millions of viewers and DStv subscribers in multiple other countries.

Similar to a growing and ongoing trend of recent TV censorship in Nigeria and Kenya ranging from lifestyle and reality shows to even kids animation programming on the Disney Channel and Viacom Africa's Nickelodeon, shows on channels on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform ordered blocked there by local regulators in one country, means that when these shows are removed, they are censored for everyone.

MultiChoice carries only one channel feed for Africa - in some cases two - from a channel distributor, meaning that content on a channel - for instance E! Entertainment (DStv 124) or Disney Channel (DStv 303)  - ordered to be censored and dumped in for instance Kenya, makes it unavailable in South Africa and a range of other African countries outside of where the censorship takes place.

Censor out the gay from the Lusaka Hustle reality show before its allowed back on Zambezi Magic, Zambia's information ministry tells MultiChoice Zambia and M-Net.

Censor out the gay and re-edit the Lusaka Hustle reality show before it's allowed back on the Zambezi Magic (DStv 160) channel, Zambia's information ministry is telling MultiChoice Zambia and M-Net in the growing, controversial and latest Africa TV censorship brouhaha that has erupted in the homophobic country.

Lusaka Hustle has been yanked off the air, unwillingly, by MultiChoice Zambia and M-Net's Zambezi Magic channel to comply with the head-scratching order from Zambia's Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), that ordered Lusaka Hustle off the air, over allegedly showing and promoting "gay tendencies".

Now Zambia's information ministry also wants the apparent gayness censored out of Lusaka Hustle before MultiChoice and M-Net can put the show back on Zambezi Magic for viewers in that country and multiple other pan-African nations.

Removing the show from Zambezi Magic - that has only one channel feed - means that Lusaka Hustle has been removed not just for DStv subscribers in Zambia but for MultiChoice's customers across the whole of Southern Africa in multiple countries except for South Africa where the channel isn't available.

In an interview on Zambia's QTV News, Chanda Kasolo, Zambia's information and broadcasting services secretary, reportedly said that MultiChoice and M-Net must censor episodes of Lusaka Hustle and get rid of the purported gayness portrayed.

Chanda Kasolo said that this is the medium-term solution that Zambia's homophobic government has agreed upon with MultiChoice Zambia. It's not immediately clear if MultiChoice Zambia and M-Net's Zambezi Magic packaged channel indeed agreed to self-censorship of its own artistic TV work.

Chanda Kasolo in the QTV News interview, said Zambia's government in the long-term will decide what restrictions exiting laws impose in terms of censorship of TV programming in Zambia, and that the promotion and practice of homosexuality through television programming is illegal in Zambia.


Zambezi Magic: Still unclear what show parts violate law
Lusaka Hustle that started on 24 January, initially got in the crosshairs Godfridah Sumaili, Zambia's minister for religious affairs and national guidance, who complained that Lusaka Hustle features a character with "gay tendencies" and wearing a dress - a complaint that went viral on social media.

Social media amplified the outrage about the programme that follows three local, flamboyant Zambian celebrities and their drama-filled daily lives - Thandi Vundamina, Cleo Ice Queen and the singer Kuni (Mukuni Godfrey Mulundika), with Kuni who appears in Lusaka Hustle's promotional poster art in a flowing white robe.

Some viewers were disturbed that Kuni wore a dress in a recent episode while doing a spa day in Lusaka.

It is the second censorship of content on Zambezi Magic since the debut of the M-Net packaged and produced channel that is meant as a Southern African version of South Africa's successful Mzansi Magic channel.

In November 2017 the show Talk with Kwangu was censored and pulled off the air on Zambezi Magic, following Zambian government interference and pressure.

Zambezi Magic is aimed at helping producers in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Eswatini to get their original content from their countries on the air for local DStv audiences to enjoy.

On Friday Timothy Okwaro, head of Zambezi Magic, in response to a media enquiry from TVwithThinus said that "Zambezi Magic wishes to inform viewers of our decision to temporarily suspend scheduling the show Lusaka Hustle".

"We are proud to be associated with the show, which aimed to bring great reality television to Zambia audiences."

"All our programming is rigorously checked, and we are still unclear about which aspects of the show contravene Zambian law. Zambezi Magic, together with the cast and crew, wishes to thank our viewers for all their support and we look forward to returning to our normal scheduling soon."

MultiChoice Zambia in a statement to TVwithThinus on Friday said that "with regret MultiChoice Zambia has engaged channel provider Zambezi Magic, to suspend scheduling of the Lusaka Hustle show until further notice".

"MultiChoice Zambia received a formal directive from the IBA on 12 February 2019 to suspend the show, with immediate effect, for promoting 'ideas and a lifestyle that the authority doesn't want Zambians to be exposed to' ".

"We are facilitating compliance with the directive but will follow the appeal procedure set out in the Independent  Broadcasting Authority Act to get clarity on the correct interpretation of the law. We remain committed to the promotion of local content and respect for the law."

Zambia's IBA didn't respond to emailed media enquiries.

M-Net's Zambezi Magic channel and MultiChoice Zambia pull Lusaka Hustle show as ordered by Zambia's regulator for allegedly promoting 'gay tendencies'; pay-TV operator says it's still unclear about what in the show contravenes Zambian law.

M-Net's Zambezi Magic (DStv 160) channel has now - begrudingly - removed the controversial Lusaka Hustle reality show from its schedule, as ordered by Zambia's broadcasting regulator over allegedly promoting "gay tendencies", with the pay-TV operator saying it will appeal and that it is still unclear about what in the TV show contravenes Zambian law.

The removal of Lusaka Hustle is effectively censoring and barring the programme for DStv subscribers in countries across the entire Southern Africa region, not just Zambia.

It's the latest example of Africa's encroaching television censorship creep, with the latest TV ban coming from Zambia's broadcasting regulator,  the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), that ordered Lusaka Hustle off the air, over allegedly showing and promoting "gay tendencies".

Lusaka Hustle that started on 24 January, initially got in the crosshairs Godfridah Sumaili, Zambia's minister for religious affairs and national guidance, who complained that Lusaka Hustle features a character with "gay tendencies" and wearing a dress - a complaint that went viral on social media.

Social media amplified the outrage about the programme that follows three local, flamboyant Zambian celebrities and their drama-filled daily lives - Thandi Vundamina, Cleo Ice Queen and the singer Kuni (Mukuni Godfrey Mulundika), with Kuni who appears in Lusaka Hustle's promotional poster art in a flowing white robe.

Some viewers were disturbed that Kuni wore a dress in a recent episode while doing a spa day in Lusaka.

It is the second censorship of content on Zambezi Magic since the debut of the M-Net packaged and produced channel that is meant as a Southern African version of South Africa's successful Mzansi Magic channel.

In November 2017 the show Talk with Kwangu was censored and pulled off the air on Zambezi Magic, following Zambian government interference and pressure.

Zambezi Magic is aimed at helping producers in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Eswatini to get their original content from their countries on the air for local DStv audiences to enjoy.

MultiChoice carries only one channel feed for Africa - in some cases two - from a channel distributor, meaning that content on a channel - for instance E! Entertainment (DStv 124) or Disney Channel (DStv 303)  - ordered to be censored and dumped in for instance Kenya, makes it unavailable in South Africa and a range of other African countries outside of where the censorship takes place.

With Lusaka Hustle now removed on Zambezi Magic for Zambia's DStv subscribers, it becomes unavailable for viewers in every other country where Zambezi Magic is carried since it's the same single channel feed viewed in all the countries.

Timothy Okwaro, head of Zambezi Magic, in response to a media enquiry from TVwithThinus on Friday morning said that "Zambezi Magic wishes to inform viewers of our decision to temporarily suspend scheduling the show Lusaka Hustle".

"We are proud to be associated with the show, which aimed to bring great reality television to Zambia audiences."

"All our programming is rigorously checked, and we are still unclear about which aspects of the show contravene Zambian law. Zambezi Magic, together with the cast and crew, wishes to thank our viewers for all their support and we look forward to returning to our normal scheduling soon."

MultiChoice Zambia in a statement to TVwithThinus says that "with regret MultiChoice Zambia has engaged channel provider Zambezi Magic, to suspend scheduling of the Lusaka Hustle show until further notice".

"MultiChoice Zambia received a formal directive from the IBA on 12 February 2019 to suspend the show, with immediate effect, for promoting 'ideas and a lifestyle that the authority doesn't want Zambians to be exposed to' ".

"We are facilitating compliance with the directive but will follow the appeal procedure set out in the Independent  Broadcasting Authority Act to get clarity on the correct interpretation of the law. We remain committed to the promotion of local content and respect for the law."

Zambia's IBA didn't respond to emailed media enquiries.

Zambia censors TV show over 'gay tendencies' as banned reality series, Lusaka Hustle, is ordered off air on Zambezi Magic for DStv subscribers in the entire Southern Africa.

Africa's encroaching television censorship creep continues with the latest TV ban coming from Zambia's broadcasting regulator, censoring a show over alleged "gay tendencies" that it wants off television and that will see the locally-produced reality show, Lusaka Hustle, going dark on Zambezi Magic - not just for DStv subscribers in Zambia but across multiple countries for all viewers across Southern Africa.

Zambia's broadcasting regulator, the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has abruptly banned the Zambian produced reality show, Lusaka Hustle that started on 24 January on M-Net's Zambezi Magic (DStv 160) channel available in Southern Africa, for allegedly promoting "gay tendencies".

Zambia's broadcasting regulator hasn't watched the show but is "responding to public outcries", after Zambia's Godfridah Sumaili, the country's minister for religious affairs and national guidance, complained that Lusaka Hustle features a character with "gay tendencies" and wearing a dress.

Social media amplified the outrage about the programme that follows three local, flamboyant Zambian celebrities and their drama-filled daily lives - Thandi Vundamina, Cleo Ice Queen and the singer Kuni (Mukuni Godfrey Mulundika), with Kuni who appears in Lusaka Hustle's promotional poster art in a flowing white robe.

Some viewers were disturbed that Kuni wore a dress in a recent episode while doing a spa day in Lusaka.

It is the second censorship of content on Zambezi Magic since the debut of the M-Net packaged and produced channel that is meant as a Southern African version of South Africa's successful Mzansi Magic channel.

In November 2017 the show Talk with Kwangu was censored and pulled off the air on Zambezi Magic, following Zambian government interference and pressure.

Zambezi Magic is aimed at helping producers in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Eswatini to get their original content from their countries on the air for local DStv audiences to enjoy.

Zambia's latest TV censorship is not just raising questions around the clampdown of freedom of speech and freedom of expression in the country, but is also worrying Zambian TV and film producers who don't feel that their local work is valued in their own country, with more and more producers looking across borders and outside of Zambia to pitch their projects.

The biggest concern around the ban on Lusaka Hustle however revolves around how draconian censorship of TV content in just one African country will once again that the censored show will become unavailable to millions of viewers and DStv subscribers in multiple other countries.

Similar to a growing and ongoing trend of recent TV censorship in Nigeria and Kenya ranging from lifestyle and reality shows to even kids animation programming on the Disney Channel and Viacom Africa's Nickelodeon, shows on channels on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform ordered blocked there by local regulators in one country, means that when these shows are removed, they are censored for everyone.

MultiChoice carries only one channel feed for Africa - in some cases two - from a channel distributor, meaning that content on a channel - for instance E! Entertainment (DStv 124) or Disney Channel (DStv 303)  - ordered to be censored and dumped in for instance Kenya, makes it unavailable in South Africa and a range of other African countries outside of where the censorship takes place.

When Lusaka Hustle is removed on Zambezi Magic for Zambia's DStv subscribers, it becomes unavailable for viewers in every other country where Zambezi Magic is carried since it's the same single channel feed viewed in all the countries.

Josephine Mapona, IBA director-general in Zambia, in a statement, said it is ordering MultiChoice Zambia to "suspend the Lusaka Hustle reality show on the Zambezi Magic channel on DStv".

"This follows public outcries that the Lusaka Hustle reality show promotes a lifestyle contrary to our Zambian values and culture." The IBA says it urges Zambian producers of local content "to produce content that reflect the Zambian culture".

Zambia's IBA in media enquiries was asked what specifically is wrong with Lusaka Hustle and why the IBA censor and removes TV shows as opposed to classifying and issuing advisories, what the IBA's message is to TV and film producers in Zambia and whether they should rather pitch local content for audiences outside of Zambia.

The regulator was also asked how the IBA sees freedom of speech and expression in terms of TV content and to what degree the IBA feels that that exists for Zambian television.

The IBA didn't respond to these media enquiries this week from TVwithThinus.


DStv: Show prejudged on social media, cast deeply distressed
Both MultiChoice Zambia and M-Net's Zambezi Magic channel responded to media enquiries seeking comment.

MultiChoice Zambia told TVwithThinus that "MultiChoice Zambia has noted the public commentary about Lusaka Hustle on the Zambezi Magic channel. We are concerned that the programme has been misrepresented on social media and to address these misrepresentations, we will be facilitating a viewing session with our key stakeholders to allow for an assessment of the programme".

"MultiChoice remains committed to the promotion of local content and respect for the law".

Timothy Okwaro, head of Zambezi Magic tells TVwithThinus that Lusaka Hustle "is a locally-produced reality show which follows the lives of three Zambian celebrities who regularly appear on television".

"The show has been prejudged in social media without an informed assessment of the content or a clear indication of which aspects of the show are unlawful. The cast and crew of Lusaka Hustle have been deeply distressed by the misleading representation of the content".

Zambezi Magic says M-Net and the channel are "respectful of Zambian values and culture. We are working with MultiChoice Zambia to resolve this matter in a constructive way and will join key stakeholders for a viewing session of upcoming episodes".

DATELINE - LUSAKA, ZAMBIA: 'We don't want to fail. We want to make a big success out of it' - first film students of 2018's inaugural class at the MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy.

As each of them with their own hopes, fears and dreams start their yearlong internship at the new MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy, one of the 60 students taking part in the inaugural class of 2018 verbalised part of their collective inner wish, telling TVwithThinus that "I think we all share the same fear that we don't want to fail. We want to make a big success out of it".

MultiChoice Africa's MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) has officially opened, running three film academy hubs for West, East and Southern Africa in Lagos, Nigeria, in Nairobi, Kenya and in Lusaka, Zambia - each with 20 students selected from the three different African regions.

The 60 students have been chosen from across 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa - excluding South Africa where M-Net is running its now 4-year old Magic in Motion Academy that the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) is based on.

Out of over 3 100 applications, 20 students were chosen for each of the three campuses of the new film academy.

Students at each of the three film academies will create local content that will be broadcast on the various M-Net channels carried on MultiChoice's DStv and GOtv satellite pay-TV platforms throughout Africa, including Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East, Maisha Magic Bongo, Zambezi Magic, Pearl Magic, M-Net and SuperSport.

All three regional campuses of the MultiChoice film academy are giving students the opportunity of a yearlong internship in film and TV production.

The curriculum of the 12-month accredited training programme at the MultiChoice Talent Factory will combine film studies with practical workplace experience at local TV and film production companies.

In the curriculum the students will learn more about the Business of Film, and cover Film Appreciation with the course taking them through a journey of the history of film and gaining working knowledge of the diverse artistic and practical elements of film making as well as film critique.

Fundamentals of Production will give students in-depth technical skills in the production of high-quality content, while the Cross-media Digital Laboratory will help students with emerging technology and how to develop content for transmedia and cross-platform distribution.

The students will also learn hands-on practical skills and get practical experience, and will produce Student Films in West, East and Southern Africa that will be broadcast on MultiChoice's DStv by the respective M-Net regional channel.

The student films will also compete in MultiChoice and M-Net's annual Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCAs) in a new student category.

The Southern Africa MultiChoice Talent Factory had its official opening on Thursday night in Lusaka with a glittering gala event.

Earlier in the week MultiChoice Africa held similar launch events for its MultiChoice Talent Factory in East Africa and West Africa. 

The Southern Africa MultiChoice Talent Factory is based at the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) in Lusaka, an independent media training trust.

TVwithThinus that toured the refurbished building at ZAMCOM that will house the MultiChoice Talent Factory in Lusaka, spoke to Sally Jason on Thursday evening who is from Namibia and supported by MultiChoice Namibia, and one of the 20 students attending the Southern Africa film academy.

What are you looking forward to and what do you want to achieve during your internship year here?
Sally Jason: Well, I applied to be a storyteller so I will be learning how to script write and also how to do floor management and that is what I'm hoping to do. I'm hoping to bring my stories to life and how to package my product in a better way.


And where did you see about the MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy and why did you decide to apply?
Sally Jason: It's a funny story actually. It was an email that my colleague sent out and then I think just a day before the closing date of applications, he sent it to me again and I thought: okay, I'm just going to apply for it. Then I applied and a week later they called me for an interview. I went for the interview and got the call on my birthday, so it's very special.


And how did you parents and friends and family react? Because now you're also going to be living here in Lusaka in Zambia for a year.
Sally Jason: My family is happy, it's all their hard work that has brought me to this place.
Of course the family is happening that we paid all of this money for school fees at least we're getting somewhere. So my family is very accepting and happy and it doesn't even matter for them where I go as long as there is something good coming out of it.


And what do you hope to take back to Namibia?
Sally Jason: Well besides the skills I hope to take back just the motivation. I'm sure that there are those who already have the skills but motivation is really important. I hope to just be part of a platform for whatever it is that my country's media industry needs.


What message would you have for other young female film makers or aspirational film makers in Africa?
Sally Jason: Stay working hard. Keep working as if no-one is watching - that's what I did really. Stay humble, keep working and have faith that what you're doing will get you somewhere. Keep praying.


Lastly what do you think of your other 19 internship friends from across Southern Africa and who you are going to be spending time with for a whole year? Have you bonded a bit? Have you spoken about your fears and hopes and dreams?
Sally Jason: So far the environment has been very open. I think we all share the same fear that we don't want to fail. We want to make a big success out of it. We're very excited that we're all from different countries. It makes it even better. We get to learn all the different languages, we also get to run how different countries run things in their TV and film industries, so it's all very exciting.


ALSO READ: MultiChoice Africa officially opens its brand-new MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy for Southern Africa.
ALSO READ: In photos: The glittering official opening gala event of MultiChoice Africa's MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy for Southern Africa.
ALSO READ: 'Their stories had us in tears'. Academy director of the Southern Africa MultiChoice Talent Factory says tales of the film students during the selection process made people cry; that their stories will help change film making in Africa. 
ALSO READ: MultiChoice urges all stakeholders in Africa's TV industry to work together to fight the growing scourge of content piracy.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice: Ultimate aim of MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy is to enlarge the capacity of Africa's film and TV industry, to create more creators of high-quality local video content.

DATELINE - LUSAKA, ZAMBIA: 'Their stories had us in tears'. Academy director of the Southern Africa MultiChoice Talent Factory says tales of the film students during the selection process made people cry; that their stories will help change film making in Africa.

"Their stories had us in tears."

So said Berry Lwando, the academy director of MultiChoice Africa's new MultiChoice Talent Factory for Southern Africa, about the moving tales during the selection process from film students from right across Southern Africa, who applied recently to be part of this brand-new training initiative.

Berry Lwando spoke on Thursday night at MultiChoice Africa's glittering gala event to celebrate the official opening of its Southern Africa MultiChoice Talent Factory in Lusaka, Zambia. 

Earlier in the week MultiChoice Africa held similar launch events for its MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) in East Africa and West Africa. All three of MultiChoice's regional film academies are giving students the opportunity of a yearlong internship in film and TV production.

Sixty students have been chosen from across 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa - excluding South Africa where M-Net is running its now 4-year old Magic in Motion Academy that the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) is based on.

Out of over 3 100 applications, 20 students were chosen for each of the three new film academies.

Students at each of the three film academies will create local content that will be broadcast on the various M-Net channels carried on MultiChoice's DStv and GOtv satellite pay-TV platforms throughout Africa, including Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East, Maisha Magic Bongo, Zambezi Magic, Pearl Magic, M-Net and SuperSport.

The Southern Africa MultiChoice Talent Factory is based at the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) in Lusaka, an independent media training trust.

"For Southern Africa, the MultiChoice Talent Factory answers the questions of the advancement in film production we have asked for a long time and provides us the local content solution we have desired," said Berry Lwando.

"Through the MultiChoice Talent Factory, MultiChoice Africa will develop emerging TV and film talent whilst simultaneously promoting the growth of local content in key markets through this structured and impactful social investment programme."

Besides the internships, a MultiChoice Talent Factory Portal will also be created as a Pan-African networking platform for the film industry that can serve as an online destination for information about the creative industry, including contacts and thought leadership.

The portal will offer open access to film creatives across the continent to profile individuals and film companies, to showcase their work, to access opportunities and to access online master classes.

Talking about the selection process of choosing 20 students out of the thousands of entries for Southern Africa, Berry Lwando said "Their stories had us in tears".

"There were times of laughter too, but mainly tears. For none of us, not those of us from MultiChoice, nor the industry experts from the various countries, had ever encountered anything like this before".

"Who were these youngsters? Where had they come from? Where had they been hiding these stories? These young adults changed my idea of storytelling," said Berry Lwando.

"They have seen the real Africa. They have touched it, tasted it, and now they want to tell that story. I am so grateful that the MultiChoice Talent Factory is here - ready to help them do that, because these are the stories that will change film making in Africa."

"Our partners on this journey have been nothing short of incredible - from our government and regulatory visionaries, to the regional diplomatic community, from industry stalwarts and influencers and our esteemed academic partners, to the media fraternity and local businesses who helped us ready the academies and finally to our platform partners at DStv and GOtv."


ALSO READ: MultiChoice Africa officially opens its brand-new MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy for Southern Africa.
ALSO READ: In photos: The glittering official opening gala event of MultiChoice Africa's MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy for Southern Africa.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice urges all stakeholders in Africa's TV industry to work together to fight the growing scourge of content piracy.
ALSO READ: 'We don't want to fail. We want to make a big success out of it' - first film students of 2018's inaugural class at the MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice: Ultimate aim of MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy is to enlarge the capacity of Africa's film and TV industry, to create more creators of high-quality local video content.

DATELINE - LUSAKA, ZAMBIA: In photos: The glittering and beautiful official opening gala event of MultiChoice Africa's MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy for Southern Africa.

MultiChoice Africa on Thursday night held a glittering gala event to celebrate the official opening of its Southern Africa MultiChoice Talent Factory in Lusaka, Zambia; following the official opening earlier in the week of its East Africa and West Africa MultiChoice Talent Factory film academies.

Sixty students from across 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa - excluding South Africa where M-Net is running its 4-year old Magic in Motion Academy that the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) is based on - are getting the opportunity of a yearlong internship in film and TV production.

Out of over 3 100 applications, 20 students were chosen for each of the three new film academies.

Dora Siliya, Zambia's minister of information and broadcasting services and chief Zambian government spokesperson who did the ribbon-cutting of the building, who was the keynote speaker at the event that saw media, TV producers, artists, singers, government and broadcast regulatory officials, as well as MultiChoice Africa executives from across Southern Africa attending.

It took place at the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) in Lusaka, an independent media training trust, where the Southern African MultiChoice Talent Factory is located in a recently refurbished section of the ZAMCOM building equipped with new technology, lecture and study rooms, as well as a green screen studio/lecture room.

Students at each of the three film academies will create local content that will be broadcast on the various M-Net channels carried on MultiChoice's DStv and GOtv satellite pay-TV platforms throughout Africa, including Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East, Maisha Magic Bongo, Zambezi Magic, Pearl Magic, M-Net and SuperSport.

Here is the official opening evening in photos:

The menu of the gala dinner was prepared by chef Marco from the InterContinental Lusaka hotel in Zambia. His selection was inspired by dishes from across the Southern Africa region.

Guests dined on entrees that included mixed Zambia salad, Chikanda salad and Chillie papaya salad.

The main course consisted out of Namibian kapana, Mozambican chicken peri-peri, whole bream "Zambian style", pasta salad with mixed vegetables, buttered and herbed mixed vegetables, roast potato wedges with rosemary, and steamed rice.

Dessert was a selection of delectable sweets, cakes and tarts. The dinner was a "dinner-and-a-show" with dishes that were served as platters throughout the speeches and performances.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice Africa officially opens its brand-new MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy for Southern Africa.

ALSO READ: 'Their stories had us in tears'. Academy director of the Southern Africa MultiChoice Talent Factory says tales of the film students during the selection process made people cry; that their stories will help change film making in Africa. 

ALSO READ: MultiChoice urges all stakeholders in Africa's TV industry to work together to fight the growing scourge of content piracy.

ALSO READ: 'We don't want to fail. We want to make a big success out of it' - first film students of 2018's inaugural class at the MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice: Ultimate aim of MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy is to enlarge the capacity of Africa's film and TV industry, to create more creators of high-quality local video content.