MTF Graduates Bring Kibera Shoemaker’s Story to the Screen in New Film, Becoming Madiba
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, Kenya — A young shoemaker from Kibera finds his life transformed when his handmade footwear attracts unexpected attention in Becoming Madiba, a new feature film produced by graduates of the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) East Africa Academy.
The film, made by the academy’s Class of 2025/26, is set to premiere on GOtv and DStv’s Maisha Magic channels, bringing the work of emerging filmmakers to audiences in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Set in Nairobi, Becoming Madiba follows Madiba, a shoemaker who crafts shoes by hand in Kibera. His work catches the attention of Wanjiru Njoroge, an heiress to a footwear empire, who photographs his creations and shares them online.
The post brings Madiba’s craftsmanship into the public spotlight, exposing him to attention he had not anticipated and setting off a series of complications that challenge his life.
Through the story, the film explores how an unexpected opportunity can change a person’s circumstances, while placing a local craft and its maker at the centre of a contemporary Nairobi narrative.
For the filmmakers, the production also marks an important step from classroom training to the practical demands of making a feature film.
Victoria Goro, MTF East Africa Academy Director, said the project gives students an opportunity to apply their skills while working with others across different areas of filmmaking.
“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,” Goro said.
The production showcases the work of the academy’s latest graduating class, giving the emerging filmmakers an opportunity to take a complete feature-length story from development to the screen.
With its Nairobi setting and a plot centred on craftsmanship, sudden public attention and unexpected change, Becoming Madiba is set to introduce audiences across East Africa to a new story created by the region’s next generation of filmmakers.
