Evolution of local comedy Mukadota

Godwin Muzari : Memory Lane

It seems local comedians that are trying to fill the gap left by popular yesteryear comics are losing the grip. A crop of comedians that include Gringo, Kapfupi, Sabhuku Vharazipi, Mabla 10 and Kariboni have hinged their careers on a style pioneered by the likes of Mukadota, Paraffin, Mutirowafanza and Zuku among others.However, as technology and various operational channels continue to change in the industry, the actors are losing ground to stand-up comedians.

Stand-up comedians have taken advantage of growing technology to reach a wider audience through various social media platforms. They have also maintained serious stage presence and their approach is eclipsing the other crop of comedians.

Stand-up comedians like Carl Joshua Ncube, Doc Vikela, Comic Pastor, Simba the Comic King and Clive Chigubhu are fast gaining ground with their skits that attract following on social media. They have used the platform to market their stage performances and some have even won international recognition.

On the other hand, Kapfupi, Gringo and their counterparts continue lamenting over effects of piracy and how their careers are under threat.

Memory Lane takes a look at how yesteryear comedians made their names and possible ways that their successors can utilise to keep their ‘acting’ genre of comedy alive.

In the years gone by, when ZTV was still the channel of choice (because of good programming and limited options of channels), comedians that starred in local drama series occupied popular slots of prime-time viewing.

Then, many households did not have television sets and communal viewing was common. Young people would gather in houses of privileged families that had the sets.

In the 1980s, one of the popular programmes was “Mhuri YavaMukadota” starring Safirio Madzikatire as Mukadota or Baba Rwizi.

Mukadota

Mukadota

With the assistance of highly talented Susan Chenjerai who played Mai Rwizi, Mukadota brought exciting scenes to television.

Other exciting characters like Baba naMai Finias, Bonnie and Chibhodhoro added colour to the drama. Many can recall the funny encounters between Bonnie and Mukadota and the main actor’s ‘American Gurash’ scene when Maduve comes back from the United States.

Mukadota had strength in keeping most of the original characters in the cast and his consistency, despite doubling as a musician, made him adorable.

Then there was Paraffin who enhanced his comic appeal through his unique costume. With his funny wool hat, scarf and bell-bottomed trousers Paraffin created his funny identity that was complemented by his jokes. The contrast between his arrogant character and his wife Mai Sorobhi’s caring attitude made the scenes exciting. Paraffin was also known for his love for food and would enhance his jokes with a gormandizing behaviour.

Paraffin maintained a lean cast, which was possibly done to save resources and he won the hearts of many comedy followers with his expertise. Many remember the ‘Zino’ scene when Mai Sorobhi had a toothache and they went to a clinic while the incident when he dressed down a young man for having earrings was also popular.

Paraffin

Paraffin

Mutirowafanza maintained popularity through his funny outbursts and identity through his Manyika dialect accent while Zuku’s funny interaction with his wife Mai Bhobha kept viewers following the series.

Mutirowafanza was popular for lines like “Bambo wako haana bhachi? Get that one …. and ‘Iwe wanga usaingandibati batiba?”.

These yesteryear comedians made television viewing exciting and their local dramas were followed by many.

However, they had an advantage over their successors since it was easy to get contracts with ZBC and the programmes attracted advertisers and sponsors because of the channel’s large viewership then.

Some of them got commercial contracts while the payments they got from ZBC were enough to sustain them.

It is no longer the same with the current crop of comedians. Gringo series was probably the last comic production to benefit from being screened on ZTV. “Timmy naBonzo”, which came earlier than ‘Gringo’ also amassed following but could not last the distance.

In a recent interview with Memory Lane, Lazarus Boora, who plays Gringo in the series admitted they got good income from the broadcaster in the early days of the series but the last days were miserable as returns dwindled.

Writer of Gringo series Enock Chihombori tried to take the production to the big screen through “Gringo – Troublemaker”, but the situation became worse.

Chihombori broke down at a NAMA ceremony when he narrated how the film had not brought any returns because of piracy.

The actors could not be paid and Chihombori is now heartbroken. He is not prepared to write another script anytime soon.

It is the same story with “Sabhuku Vharazipi” producers that always complain about how piracy is threatening their careers.

The main actor of the comedy David Mubaiwa at some point was disheartened by the way pirates had downloaded their promotional clips of “Sabhuku Vharazipi 3” and sold the package as the complete production of new series.

Instead of recognising the benefits of their social media marketing move, Mubaiwa saw a threat.

Although the producers invested in taking “Sabhuku Vharazipi 3” to China for production, they have not been able to evade piracy.

Kapfupi, who made a name through comedy and complemented it with music in the Mukadota style, has released a number of productions that have not benefited him financially.

Although Mabla 10 is at a better level because he is in Jah Prayzah’s band, comedy has not brought much to his table.

When these comedians look back at their yesteryear counterparts, their hearts bleed and they all blame piracy. ZTV is facing challenges due to competition with international channels and the comedians cannot rely on it anymore.

They end up producing low-quality productions due to strained budgets. Although they try to sell their products cheaply on the streets, they cannot beat piracy.

It is now time for the comedians to look for other remedies. They cannot keep depending on screen productions like Makadota and Paraffin when they want to make a living in this era.

They should take a leaf from stand-up comedians that have utilized the stage for great benefits. Since the time when Edgar Langeveldt, Victor Mavedzenge and Michael K took the industry by storm, stand-up comedians have benefited from their shows.

To complement their film efforts, Gringo and crew should consider active spaces like Theatre in the Park, Zimbabwe Hall and Old Mutual Theatre to take their products to the people.

They should also use social media to market their products. Stand-up comedians post comic skits everyday on social media and they have made breakthroughs in commercial assignments and stage performances.

It is time for the other comedians to change their mindsets and remember that Mutirowafanza and Paraffin era was completely different. Piracy is actully getting worse with growth of technology.

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