GOtv Launches M-Net Movies Pop-up Channel To Celebrate African Film

To celebrate Africa Day on Tuesday, 25 th May, MultiChoice Group is launching M-Net Movies
Afro-Cinema, a pop-up movie channel dedicated to showcasing and celebrating contemporary
African films. The Afro-Cinema Channel will be available from Friday, 21 May, to Sunday, 30
May 2021, on Channel 198 to DStv customers on Access to Premium packages across the
continent and on Channel 129 for GOtv Plus and Max customers.
 
The Afro-Cinema Channel is curated to celebrate Africa’s cultural diversity, aptly reflected and
captured in the work that is being produced by filmmakers all over the continent. Through
collaboration and turning challenges into possibilities, local film industries across the continent
have produced award-winning productions that have launched the careers of many directors,
producers, and stars while also taking the “for us, by us” African stories global.
  
“At its essence, Africa Day is about celebrating African unity and success as well as
acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead. The pandemic has hit the film industry quite hard,
and African filmmakers were not spared. This Africa Day, we want to celebrate the talent and
resilience of the continent’s film industry with the launch of this festival of African films where our
audiences can enjoy AfroCinema from the comfort of their own homes,” said Yolisa Phahle,
MultiChoice Group CEO of General Entertainment and Connected Video.
Some of the exciting films to look forward to includes;
 Heritage Africa (Ghana), This is a political drama set in 1955 during the violent run-up
to Ghanaian independence. It follows Kwesi Atta Bosomefi, who has embraced English
culture and has risen to the position of district commissioner, but he has done so to the
detriment of his African heritage and everything that he holds dear. Local and foreign
actors such as Kofi Bucknor, David Dontoh, Ian Collier, and Amina Misa star in the
classic historical drama. It was directed by Kwaw Ansah, a well-known Ghanaian
filmmaker.
 Oko Kε Akueteh (Ghana) – The demise of Oko, Akueteh’s older twin brother sets him on
a roller coaster of emotions and recurring nightmares. Directed by Deladem Duvi a
graduate from the MultiChoice Talent Factory, features Hafiz Jerry Kumi, Haliq Jesse
Kumi and Sophronia Awer. This riveting short film throws a spotlight on some Ga
customary practices.
 Sunset in Makoko (Nigeria), which takes us into one of the biggest floating slums in
Africa, called Makoko. Located in the Nigerian city, Lagos, Sunset in Makoko presents
a place where regardless of despair, the community still strives to live with joy and
radiate hope. Allen Onyige, a Nigerian filmmaker and MultiChoice Talent Factory (MFT)
Academy alumnus, made the film.
 Payback (Zambia), this is a tale of betrayal and love gone wrong. It tells the story of a
man who learns that his cousin’s friend is about to marry the girl who jilted him, causing
him to pursue the ultimate act of revenge. Leo Dauty Simukoko and Perpetual Mwape
star in this Zambian film directed by Wyclif Mwamba.
 Ensulo (Kenya), which is the product of the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) East
Africa Academy Class of 2018. In Ensulo, the king of an imaginary traditional kingdom
becomes gravely ill, and his daughter is forced to lead the kingdom. But her ability to rule

is put to the test when a water bottling company discovers the kingdom’s sacred water
supply. It is directed by Jamal Kishuli, and the cast includes Michelle Tiren, Claude
Judah, Jacob Otieno, Raymond Ofula, and Cindy Kahuha.
 The Train of Salt and Sugar (Mozambique), this is a film set in Mozambique during a
civil war where a single train connecting the country to Malawi sees passengers risking
their lives to travel on the train to escape. Licinio Azevedo directed this award-winning
drama.
 94 Terror (Uganda), this is a Ugandan war drama set during the 1994 Rwandan
genocide. Keza, a Tutsi and Hutu genocide survivor, tells how she barely survived the
massacre and riskily made it out of Rwanda to Uganda. An all-Ugandan cast of Ninsiima
Ronah, Joan Agaba, Muyimbwa Phiona, Nalubega Rashida, Shadic Smith, Mugerwa
Rajj, and Smith Mateega drives this film directed by Richard Mulindwa.
 Joba (Nigeria), follows the life of a Christian couple whose faith is tested. Joba is a
story about love, strength and faith. It is directed by filmmaker Biodun Stephen and stars
Blossom Chukwujekwu, Enado Odigie, Christine Osifuye, Ronke Ojo, and Chris Iheuwa.

 Back of the Moon (South Africa), follows the life of a gangster in South Africa who
finds something worth living for. Angus Gibson, an Oscar nominee, directs a cast that
includes Richard Lukunku, Lemogang Tsipa, S’dumo Mtshali, Thomas Gumede, and
singer Moneoa Moshesh.
 
Visit the M-Net Website for exclusive content and join the conversation on Twitter
@mnetmovies, Instagram and Facebook using #MMAfroCinema and #MMpopup.