Showbiz
Nigerian-born Ayobola Kekere-Ekun Shines at 2021 Absa L’Atelier
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Nigerian-born Ayobola Kekere-Ekun has been selected as one of the winners of the prestigious 2021 Absa L’Atelier at an online event hosted on the Absa Art Hotspot.
The artist was among the finalists from Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya and Namibia.
She is among the one ambassador per group chosen from the three groups of African countries. The others are Adelheid von Maltitz from South Africa and Blebo Michael Jackson from Ghana, while the winner Absa L’Atelier Gerard Sekoto category was Abongile Sidzumo.
Absa, in partnership with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), hosts the event to celebrate African art.
These winning artists now take on the title of Absa L’Atelier Ambassador 2021 received trophies that depict hands, symbolising the physical manifestation of creation, designed, and produced by established South African artist Roberto Vacarro, while the Gerard Sekoto trophy depicts a bull, representing prosperity and resilience.
Since its inception 35 years ago, Absa L’Atelier has showcased and continues to invest in some of Africa’s finest young artists between the ages of 21 to 40.
This year, the competition established itself as the first African art competition to be hosted completely virtually; from entry, submission and adjudication of the artworks, to hosting a series of masterclasses and a mentorship programme for the 2019 Absa L’Atelier ambassadors, culminating in the online awards ceremony.
Entries were received from across Africa and judged by an independent panel of adjudicators including acclaimed artist and Director at BKhz, Banele Khoza as well as Armelle Dakouo, independent curator and artistic director at AKAA Art & Design Fair.
Criteria for selecting the Ambassador included technical execution, conceptual and thematic engagement, the freshness of artistic vision within the context of the contemporary African art landscape; as well as aesthetic appeal.
Established 17 years ago, the Gerard Sekoto award goes to a South African artist, aged between 25 and 35 years, who has continued to demonstrate integrity in the quality of their artwork.
The award is made possible by the Embassy of France in South Africa, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), which is the cultural arm of the Embassy, and the Alliance Française network in South Africa.
“With our partners Absa and SANAVA, we are proud to support the Gerard Sekoto award and to accompany young artists to share their work both nationally and internationally.
“We believe in this award which grants a talented young South African artist an amazing opportunity: to expand his or her horizons with a 3-month artistic residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, and, of course, gain greater exposure as a result.
“The artists are inspired and inspire. They learn, and they teach. They explore, and exhibit, allowing people in France and in South Africa to learn more about their individual style and vision”, says Aurelien Lechevallier, who is France’s Ambassador to South Africa.
Though COVID-19 provided its challenges, the past two years were likewise a period of innovation and technological progression.
“The pandemic has allowed us to advance our digital art presence with the launch of the Absa Art Hotspot. This unique virtual experience platform made it possible for us to host live events such as webinars, art exhibitions, art masterclasses, and art auctions, while certain elements of our art-related sponsorships and partnerships such as this year’s awards event were also migrated to the platform,” says Paul Bayliss Senior Specialist Art Curator at Absa.
Hosting the competition digitally allowed for the removal of any barriers to entry as all the artist required was a smart phone or access to the internet.
“With this year’s theme The Act of Art, we called our continent’s fearless creators to act and to enter. This years’ competition once again provided an opportunity for visual artists to respond and make their voices heard.
“We are committed to putting the basic building blocks in place to ensure that young artists from across the African continent can reimagine their futures and bring their possibility to life,” says Bayliss.
SANAVA President, Dr Avitha Sooful, commended her partner, Absa, for forging ahead and continuously seeking ways to impact the African visual arts scene even during the ongoing pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic derailed our plans for 2020 but through some innovative thinking, we were able to come back stronger this year and we actually have more entries than we have ever had for this competition. I commend the work that our partners, Absa, have done in making sure that African artists continue to reap the rewards of their hard work,” Dr Sooful said.
“We look forward to working with this year’s ambassadors and Gerard Sekoto winner and providing the next generation of young African artists with the support, recognition, and exposure they need to solidify their careers and build their brands,” concluded Bayliss.
A fresh lineup of shows hitting your screen this weekend into April on GOtv, it’s about to be back-to-back moments, gripping plots, unforgettable characters, and follow-up stories that will have you texting your circle, “are you watching this?!” before an episode even ends.
This is your official cue to update your watchlist. Consider this your sign to get locked in. Number one on the list is:
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Forever Mine – Premieres 28th March
The drama centers on a murder investigation following a Lagos luxurious wedding. A love, betrayal, desperation and murder story. Expect Lagos Lifestyle, grand celebrations and forbidden love that threatens to change everything.
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Wura S4 – Premieres 30th March
Wura season 4 explores the consequences of Wura’s ruthless actions, with her empire cracking and her family turning against her. Murdering her own daughter comes back to haunt her.
This season is expected to be a high-stakes and dramatic continuation.
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Dividends – Premieres 30th March
The drama centres on three strangers whose lives become dangerously intertwined through a Ponzi scheme known as “The Golden Bars.”
The series dives into themes of greed, deception, and the temptation of easy money, reminding viewers that “awoof dey always run belle.”
Dividends airs Mondays to Wednesdays at 20:30 on Africa Magic Showcase.
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Iboju – Premieres April 4th
Iboju is a Yoruba-language crime thriller set to premiere on Africa Magic Yoruba. The series explores powerful themes of survival, secrets, and sacrifice, following ordinary people pushed into difficult choices where the line between right and wrong becomes increasingly blurred.
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Stripped – Premieres April 19th
The narrative of Stripped focuses on the lives of five main characters dealing with financial pressures and making bold, unpredictable choices. A high-stakes, dramatic storyline involving extreme choices.
This lineup is one you don’t want to miss. Don’t just hear about it, tune in and experience it for yourself. Catch up on GOtv.
To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
Nollywood actor Kunle Remi has clarified that his recent social media comment comparing the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards to the Academy Awards (Oscars) was made in jest, following widespread reactions online.
The conversation began after the actor shared a video from the 2026 Academy Awards (Oscars), where Michael B. Jordan was seen having his award engraved shortly after his win. In his initial reaction, Remi suggested that winners at the AMVCA do not receive their plaques immediately, a claim that quickly gained traction across multiple media platforms.
However, in a follow-up video posted shortly after, the actor dismissed the comparison as a joke, noting that he is aware of how the AMVCA award process works.
“I was just messing around, and it was all a joke,” he said, adding that people had taken the remark more seriously than intended.
He reaffirmed his respect for the platform, describing the AMVCA as the only African awards show comparable to the Oscars.
“AMVCA is the only African show you can even compare to the Oscars,” he added.
The actor also confirmed his involvement with the awards, noting that he will be present at this year’s edition and is actively working on it.
“I’ll be at this year’s AMVCA, in fact, I’m working with them on this one.”
The exchange has since drawn attention to how awards are handled at the AMVCA. Winners receive their plaques on stage immediately after being announced and are subsequently directed to a designated media room, where engraving stations are set up to personalise each award in real time.
The engraving process is completed on the night of the event, with winners finalising their plaques while also engaging with the press through interviews, photography, and official media documentation.
Industry sources familiar with the production confirm that this system has been consistently implemented across previous editions, with visual documentation from past ceremonies showing the engraving process and post-win media interactions.
The clarification comes amid ongoing conversations about production standards across global award platforms, as African film and television continue to gain wider international visibility.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The application deadline for the 2026 intake of the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) has been extended to Monday, April 27.
The deadline for the pan-African film and television training institution was earlier fixed for February 27, but it has now been extended by two months, giving aspiring African filmmakers, directors, producers, scriptwriters and storytellers across the continent additional time to apply for its fully funded, industry-accredited training programme.
The programme is open to young creatives aged 18 to 35 with a passion for the screen industry. Applicants may hold qualifications in film, television, media, drama, or related creative disciplines or possess one to two years of industry experience. A formal film degree is not required.
Participants will be exposed to a structured 12-month programme across key areas, including scriptwriting, production management, directing, cinematography, editing, sound, and various post-production specialities, gaining experience in bringing stories to life. The programme is fully funded, covering tuition, production costs, and monthly stipends, allowing participants to focus entirely on developing their craft.
MTF operates academies across four African cities: Johannesburg (South Africa), Nairobi (Kenya), Lagos (Nigeria), and Lusaka (Zambia), ensuring a diverse pool of talent is trained to contribute to the growth of Africa’s film and television industry.
The initiative was established in 2018 by MultiChoice Group, a CANAL+ company, to discover and nurture the next generation of storytellers by providing access to mentorship, technical training, and real-world production experience in film and television.
Almost 300 filmmakers have been trained by MTF, with participants producing over 42 movies during the programme. These projects are broadcast on DStv and GOtv channels, including Maisha Magic, Zambezi Magic, and Africa Magic. MTF graduates have earned nominations and awards at major platforms such as the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), Uganda Film Festival, and Women in Film Awards. Alumni also collaborate in global creative spaces, including the European Film Market and Durban FilmMart.
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