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“Sabhuku Vharazipi” cast

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Silverscreen
The good old days when everyone would not want to miss their favourite television programme, be it foreign ones like “McGyver”, “The A Team” and “Beauty and the Beast” or local like “Parafini” and “Gringo”, are back on our local screens.

For all this, kudos to the ZTV producers and other personnel at ZTV who are doing a sterling job to ensure that the station retains its lustre and glory and in that vein move in sync with trends the world over.

While foreign material is good for variety and also serves as a good template for setting standards, nothing beats the commitment that a local station or channel should have fulfilling its mandate to the local audience.

This is the reason why in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, Namibia and beyond the African borders in India (Bollywood) the local television broadcasters always make it a priority for their programming to include local material.

This is the same thrust that is driving DStv’s Zambezi Magic, who apart from being just a year old in the game, have already become one of the most widely-followed, trusted and entertaining television channels South of the Sahara because of their commitment to television programming.

Thanks to the issue of sub-titles, some of these productions, which are enacted, acted, performed or presented in the vernacular languages of the respective African people, have managed to reach out to a wider audience, spanning as far as the African borders to other countries especially in the Western World where they are always on the lookout for good new talent from Africa.

There is no doubt that “Studio 263” acted as a big leverage for Arnold Chirisa who is now enjoying a colourful patch outside Zimbabwe as a successful actor, while the likes of Danai Gurira and Leeroy Gopal, among others, have written their own success stories.

Dear reader, Yours Truly might seem to be waffling or babbling, but the reality of the matter is that there are more and more good actors who are being “born” in Zimbabwe on a daily basis, and these are the guys who have been screaming for this attention for a long time.

For ZTV to give them the opportunity to be seen and heard on the screen, that alone helps in projecting their careers while at the same time boosting their confidence to aim for greater things in the world of acting.

Sabhuku Vhara Zipi was a virtual nonentity only until a time he adopted a vigorous marketing strategy which saw Zimpapers chipping in with some financial support. Today, the drama and alter-ego are both household names in Zimbabwe.

The same should also happen to the new local productions that are hitting the screens today. There is need for corporate support before a production goes on air: why? This ensures that all the financial modalities that producers, directors, actors and other supporting staff, including the behind-the-scenes guys, are covered for to avoid hiccups in the smooth-flowing of the business.

“Muchaneta” is one local drama of note that is grabbing the attention of many, and with the relevant financial support, it can stretch for a long time and probably see it making its way into South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria and other countries with sub-titles in similar fashion to what other dramas that we view here are doing.

On another note, almost everyone knows that there is something big happening somewhere in their area, be it Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Kwekwe, Kadoma, Masvingo, Chitungwiza, you name it.

What you just have to do is make sure you are not left out.

This might the Harare Agricultural Show, or any other big function like the “Judgment Night 4” episode by UFI to be held on Friday the 26th.

The biggest challenge here is for ZTV is ensure that it lives up to its billing as a people’s broadcaster by having live broadcasts of these events so that those who will be at home will keep updated on issues evolving around them. Through this way, ZTV will be taking its standards to a higher level and help in reinvesting confidence in its viewer-ship. Meanwhile, don’t be left out and avoid being big mouth when it comes to opportunities.

MultiChoice Africa, Africa Magic and Amstel Malta have issued a call for entries into the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, a prestigious initiative that honours film and television talent across the continent.

Scheduled to take place on March 3 and 4, this will be the fifth consecutive year of the awards, which were created to recognise the contribution of African filmmakers, actors and technicians to the success of the continent’s film and broadcast industry.

Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of Multi-Choice Zimbabwe, said the success of the event during the past four years meant that next year’s event was both necessary and useful, with preparations at an advanced stage.

“Entry for the 2017 awards competition is now open and the closing date for entries will be Saturday October 15,” she said.

“The African movie and broadcast industry is brim full of exciting talent and Africa Magic contributes to the industry by not only giving these talents a continental platform on which to showcase their skills and passion, but also by facilitating a celebration of achievement and effort.”

The fifth edition of the AMVCAs will see awards being presented in various categories, ranging from acting and directing to scriptwriting and cinematography, as well as editing, sound, make-up, lighting and other focus areas.

In 2017 there will be 27 categories, 16 open to viewers’ deliberations and 11 to be decided by the AMVCA panel of judges. Films, made-for-television movies or television series are eligible for entry, even those previously entered into or nominated for an award, or awarded a prize in another film and television competition, but they must have been broadcast or publicly screened during the period between October 1 2015 and September 30, 2016.

Entry is free.

Ms Dziva said a guideline to entering had been issued, for ease of entry guidelines:

Step 1: Prepare a two to three-minute show-reel for your online submission.

Step 2: Log on to www.africamagic.tv. and navigate to the submission page.

Step 3: Fill out the submission forms and upload the clip. A unique reference number will be allocated to each completed online submission.

Entry for Zimbabweans can be sent to Neo Phele, Magic Centre, 137 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg, 2123, South Africa.