Who isn’t dreaming of a career in television, either as a presenter, cameraman or woman, actor, singer, producer, or reporter? Countless young Malawians are, but are not getting the chance to shine due to a shortage of opportunities. Linda Khumbanyiwa (32), better known as Lynne Kayenne, wanted to be the change she sought in the world - and so she co-founded Malawi Stars. This television show highlights the best Malawi has to offer from a music, fashion, entertainment, and commerce point of view - all of this whilst training a new generation of TV professionals. We spoke with her recently. 

Q. Tells us a bit more about Malawi Stars. What is it about?

A. In a nutshell, Malawi Stars highlights the brightest and the best talent in Malawi has to offer from the worlds of music, fashion, entertainment and commerce whilst training a new generation of Malawian TV professionals and highlighting my country's tourism potential. We want to share Malawian stories, culture and traditions with a global audience.

Q. How did you go about with starting Malawi Stars?

A. When I returned home in 2015 from spending many years in the UK, I realised the quality of TV in Malawi was not as high as in Europe and many other African countries. Seeing what Nigerians and South Africans had achieved in their countries' television and film industries was inspiring. Whilst in the UK, I had made many contacts with TV professionals, so I decided to use that network to make a TV show highlighting the cream of the crop in Malawi. The award-winning British producer and director, Steve Webb, came on board. He has over fifteen years’ high-end television production experience and has directed shows like The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Top Gear, and CNN Heroes. With his help and that of BAFTA-winning British cameraman Paul Kirsop and BAFTA-nominated editor Nick Scullard, we made the first season whilst training locals in a wide spectrum of contemporary TV production and broadcasting.

Initially, we only focused on the TV show. I then decided I also wanted to make a social impact. This is when we started using the production of the show to train locals. Malawi Stars has become a multi-dimensional, multi-faceted show that entertains, inspires and empowers.

Q. What did you do before Malawi Stars?

A. I was a stylist for Matches Foundation and Populaire Life and worked as a guest blogger, producing articles and interviews with fashion designers such as Christian Blanken. My pieces didn’t just focus on fashion but also told inspirational, uplifting and motivational stories aimed to help readers believe they, too, can achieve their dreams. I also published my book, ‘Dream Chasers: 8 Ways To Make It Happen', which uses celebrity success stories to show people how to overcome adversity to achieve their goals. It features Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce, Rihanna, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Jordan, J. K. Rowling, Lady Gaga and Jay-Z.

Q. How did you end up in TV, in the first place?

A. Whilst at university, I modelled and worked as an extra on many big television shows in the UK, including Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Coronation Street. After university, I worked as a researcher for an independent TV company in London where I got the opportunity to write and pitch TV ideas.

Q. What is your goal with Malawi Stars?

A. I want to position Malawi Stars as a premium Malawian TV series that showcases the country's talent and increases Malawi's visibility as a tourist destination. I want Malawi Stars to breed lifestyle shows, fashion shows, competition shows and even create franchises such as Malawi's Got Talent. For this, I want Malawians to take our television industry seriously and have our very own annual Malawian Film and Television Awards. As Malawians, we have to be patriotic and proud of our creative industries. We can’t do this on our own: we need the private and public sectors to come on board too.

Q. Why should people travel to and explore Malawi? What are your favourite spots?

A. Malawi is known as the “warm heart of Africa” and this is for good reason: the Lonely Planet has voted the country as one of the best travel destinations in the world due to its beautiful sights and kind people. Lake Malawi, the world’s 9th largest lake, is one of these attractions. It is home to more species of fish than any other lake in the world. Other places I would recommend are Pumulani, Majete Game Reserve and Liwonde National Park. The latter is a fabulous destination to camp whilst watching African Elephants and rare Black Rhinos walk past.