MTF Graduates Bring Debut Feature Film Becoming Madiba to Maisha Magic
The film follows a Kibera shoemaker whose craft attracts national attention, setting off a story of love, family and ambition.
From Training to Feature Film Production
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) East Africa Academy graduates are set to bring their debut feature film, Becoming Madiba, to television audiences across East Africa.
Produced by the Class of 2025/6, the film will premiere on Maisha Magic channels in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania. It marks a milestone for the graduates as they move from classroom training into professional film production.
The story is set in Nairobi and follows Madiba, a craftsman who makes shoes by hand in Kibera. His life takes an unexpected turn when Wanjiru Njoroge, the heiress to a footwear empire, notices his work and shares a photograph online.
The attention brings new opportunities but also creates complications. As their worlds collide, love, family and ambition take centre stage.
When and Where to Watch
The film will premiere on Maisha Magic Plus on Saturday, 17 October 2026, at 8:00 PM EAT. Viewers can watch on DStv channel 163 and GOtv channel 503.
It will air again on Maisha Magic East on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at 8:00 PM EAT, on DStv channel 158 and GOtv channel 502.
Building Skills Through Practical Experience
For the MTF graduates, Becoming Madiba represents an opportunity to apply their training to a full-length production. The process involves developing a story, collaborating across filmmaking disciplines and delivering a finished film for television audiences.
Victoria Goro, MTF East Africa Academy Director, said the production experience helps prepare emerging filmmakers for the industry.
“Producing a feature film gives our students the opportunity to put their training into practice, collaborate across different filmmaking disciplines and experience what it takes to bring a story from development to the screen. This practical experience is an important part of preparing emerging filmmakers to contribute to the industry,” said Goro.
MTF combines practical production experience, mentorship and industry exposure to develop skills across the film and television value chain. The programme aims to equip young African creatives to contribute to the region’s screen content industry.
Showcasing East African Stories
The premiere adds to the East Africa Academy’s growing body of graduate productions. It also highlights the role of training programmes in creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers to develop and present their work.
Through Becoming Madiba, the Class of 2025/6 brings a Nairobi-rooted story to regional audiences. The film places local craftsmanship, relationships and ambition at the heart of a story produced by the next generation of African filmmakers.
