At 26, Miselo Matipa from Ndola, Zambia, is confidently stepping into a new chapter of her creative journey as she joins the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy. With quiet determination and a deep love for storytelling, she sees this opportunity as a defining moment—and her first true step into the heart of an industry she has long admired.
Her inspiration to apply was born from both ambition and nostalgia. Growing up with MultiChoice content shaping shared experiences across the continent, Miselo wanted to be part of the legacy of storytellers who connect people through film and television. “I really wanted to get my foot in the door of the entertainment industry. The scope of what we learn here, along with the nostalgic affection I feel for MultiChoice, inspired me to apply and get the chance to join a long line of people who have enriched lives all over the continent with the stories they have brought to the screen,” she shares.
Before joining the Academy, Miselo spent her days writing in solitude—building worlds through words with only her thoughts for company. Now, stepping into a collaborative creative environment has brought an energising shift. “I was writing all by my lonesome before I joined the MTF Academy. It’s been great to write and work with more people since joining the programme. The network we are gaining from participating in this programme is invaluable,” she reflects.
Scriptwriting is where her passion burns brightest. For Miselo, storytelling is not just a craft but a way of thinking and feeling through life. “I love making stories up to deal with and possibly even figure out a problem or an issue I’m having. Screenwriting allows me to challenge my understanding and point of view,” she explains. This thoughtful and introspective approach reveals a storyteller who writes not only to entertain but to explore meaning.
As the Academy prepares students for practical industry experience, Miselo is most excited to bring words to life on set. “I am most excited to be on set and shooting our group project in the coming months,” she says with anticipation. She hopes to graduate equipped with practical production skills that will allow her to execute her creative vision with confidence. “The production units so far have been a welcome insight into how to get the job done, and I am keen to start applying the knowledge to my work,” she adds.
Her biggest creative influences are not distant figures but the people around her. “My biggest creative inspirations are my friends. They always give me a lot to think, talk, and write about.” For Miselo, inspiration lives in conversation, shared laughter, and everyday human connection.
Looking ahead, her vision goes beyond personal growth. She dreams of contributing to a vibrant creative industry that offers meaningful opportunities. “Next to the creative fulfilment of getting to make film and television, a tangential goal I have is creating jobs for people that they are excited to come to every day,” she says with heartfelt conviction.
Away from scripts and storyboards, there is a charming detail that many may not expect—she loves playing solitaire. It’s a quiet reminder of her reflective nature and her appreciation for small, deliberate moments of thought.
In one word, she describes what this opportunity means to her: “special.”
For Miselo Matipa, the MultiChoice Talent Factory is more than an academy. It is an open door, a platform for growth, and a launchpad for a storyteller determined to help shape the future of Zambian and African cinema.
