Kwangu heads DStv’s Zambezi Magic

Former Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) presenter and producer Kwangu Liwewe has been appointed head of content at Zambezi Magic, the recently launched DStv channel targeting southern African countries.

Content from Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Namibia and Botswana will be broadcast to DStv Premium, Compact Plus and Compact subscribers on channel 160 which hit the airwaves on Wednesday with a promise of being the home of southern African television entertainment.

Liwewe is a Zambian journalist with Malawian roots who boasts over 20 years of experience.

In an interview from Lusaka, Zambia, Liwewe said Zambezi Magic offers a brilliant opportunity for southern Africans to showcase their talent.

“It’s a great opportunity to work for M-Net. As Africans when we talk about the best in entertainment, it’s undoubtedly M-Net. I am really excited and thrilled about my new assignment. I am moving from a news background to entertainment and this excites me. I am learning yet another new skill. In one’s career we need to constantly upgrade our skills.

“My role will be to source content from the channel’s six territories that are Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland. The content must resonate and be suitable for southern Africans,” she said.

Zambezi Magic will entertain viewers with riveting plots on South African award-winning soapies including Generations, Muvhango, Isidingo, Zone 14 and Jacobs Cross while getting a dose of critically acclaimed educational TV series Intersexions and Yizo Yizo that expose various societal issues and have sparked debates around issues such as HIV and Aids, love and relationships.

However, the content needs to meet set standards before it finds its way on the channel.

“Once a producer has completed their concept and shot a pilot they can contact me kwangu.liwewe@mnet.co.za and I will take up from there. If the production is complete they simply send me the synopsis and trailer then I follow it up if it meets Zambezi Magic’s criteria. In terms of the standards, interested producers must contact me and I will furnish the necessary documents pertaining to M-Net standards.

“M-Net invests more that R1 billion [about K40 billion] annually on local content development across the continent and continues to tell local stories that resonate with people across Africa,” she said.

Born in Lusaka to celebrated Zambian soccer legend Dennis Liwewe, Liwewe did her education in Zambia.

“I hold a diploma in journalism and Masters Degree in International Journalism from City University in London. I started my journalism career in Zambia soon after completing my Diploma.

“I have worked for the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation [ZNBC], MBC, South Africa Press Association [Sapa], eNCA and I also freelanced in the UK. I have 20 years experience as a journalist,” she explained.

She moved to South Africa from the UK where her first job was with the news wire Sapa.

She then moved to eNCA when the business launched their 24-hour news channel. After a two-year stint, she moved back to Johannesburg and took over as anchor and executive producer of the flagship show Africa 360.

In December 2014, Liwewe was rated among the most influential Africans in the media by the New African Magazine.