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Tilda Moyo, former “Ezomgido” presenter

Silver Screen with Tafadzwa Zimoyo

Happy Independence Day Zimbabwe!

We are still in the mood although the major celebrations were held yesterday at the giant National Sports Stadium. The live coverage for the celebrations was tremendous and it is an obvious case that most Zimbabweans were glued to the television watching the whole celebrations. Back to other business, there was a time that the television musical programme “Ezomgido” was everything that television buffs liked not to miss.Its presenters, as well as the kind of videos that they would beam on television were a true reflection of the needs of viewers needs while at the same time giving them a platform to contribute in the selection process of the content that would go on air.

The likes of Eric Knight, Ezra Sibanda, Tilda Moyo, among others had an interactive way with their viewers and this helped in creating a rapport that was ideal for family viewership.

Such were the good times that one would rush to the comfort of their homes just to make sure that they could catch the latest episode of “Ezomgido”.

What memorable days these were of TV viewership.

The “Ezomgido” guys set a good precedence to the crop of youthful presenters who were to come after them.

These are the kind of presenters who are making ZTV what it is today.

While their predecessors had their own way of doing things, the current crop of presenters are striving with some degree of success to keep abreast with the evolving of television broadcasting.

However, it is saddening to note that one of such programmes that should be putting ZTV on the map and make it deserving of all the kudos, but is failing to do so is none other than “Music Qalabash”.

I watched the show almost four times last week since it usually appears during lunch hour daily.

The programme has over the years grown into a leading must-view on ZTV; yet the presenters seem to be missing out on something.

Yes, the suavity is there, with a little less on fashion taste, but it seems this programme is forever stuck in a rut.

We may argue that I am biased when it comes to fashion but one thing you ought to understand is that when it comes to television presentation it is about colours and fashion.

The setting also is another factor but we won’t dwell much on that as the last time we agreed that we still have got a long way to go.

Isn’t it high time that it borrows from its sisters from across the Limpopo and see how things are done.

VUZU, MTV Base, Channel O, Trace and Mzansi are the models when it comes to music shows. I think the secret lies in the presenter and fashion, because all channels play music so there is nothing new then.

Away from the negatives, “Music Qalabash” deserves some praise for the kind of support that its presenters are giving to local musicians.

The musical programme has become more of a springboard for new musical talents that were denied a platform to be heard and seen through other channels like live music shows, road shows, among other promotionals.

If anything, “Music Qalabash” has lived up to its billing as the veritable “calabash” where all types of musicians, be they upcoming or established, secular or gospel, local or foreign, are accorded their space.

Zimbabwe is now awash with a plethora of musicians and most of them are either good or bad; “Music Qalabash” also provides for that space whereby viewers can critique certain artistes for the of progress of the Zimbabwean music industry.

While the producers take due time to determine the right stuff or videos that should make their way onto the screens, sometimes the taste of the productions that are beamed do not appeal to the music palate of the viewers.

This is when viewers then use their whatsapp, phone-in, facebook or any other facilities in order to communicate their views directly to the ZTV newsrooms and therefore advise the producers on the stuff they need.

One good thing about “Music Qalabash” is that it is also helping in the improvement of the quality of musical videos that the artistes submit for viewing on TV.

This is so because of shifting trends as the artistes constantly push their bar higher in order to match international standards of musical video production.

While the artistes are busy doing this, the presenters especially those at “Music Qalabash”, are also constantly researching widely from other sources like SABC on how they present and conduct their programmes, although very young at age.

It should be noted that “Music Qalabash” has helped in a very big way in determining the kind of videos that will make it into the best videos of the year.

What is now needed is for more partners and corporate sponsors to come on board and keep this noble musical programme buoyant.

Given this kind of push, it will not be a surprise to see “Music Qalabash” finding its way onto other regional and international platforms, DSTV’s section which focuses mainly on Africa.

“Music Qalabash” should also make efforts to be more people and artistes orientated by going out there into the communities for live broadcasts or for interviews with the artistes from their homes.

On to DSTV, we are informed that over twenty news channels are to be launched on DStv Now.

DStv Now delivers access to live channels with sport, movies, series, and also DStv Catch Up and DStv Kids to keep the whole family entertained. The new channels will bolster the already impressive catalogue and will include: Nick Junior, Zee World, BBC Brit, BBC First, BBC Lifestyle, BBC World News, History, Lifetime, EVA, ITV Choice, CBeebies, TRACE Urban, Nicktoons, Africa Magic Urban, Africa Magic Family, Africa Magic Showcase, Jim Jam, Africa Magic World, Telemundo, Studio Universal, Universal and more.

With the month of April about to end, you can watch exciting live programming on the go including Express from the US series, anytime, anywhere with your DStv Now mobile.

Catch an exciting new telenovela “Hush” that unpacks a dramatic tale of fashion, politics and ambition every weeknight while the hottest show on TV, “The Voice: Nigeria” will put a high note in your Sunday evenings on Africa Magic Showcase every Sunday.

Football fans know that it’s now down to the wire in the European football leagues with the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League gearing up for the semi-finals.

DStv Now can be accessed online or through an app for tablets and smartphones.

So with winter coming so as the Season 6 of “Game of Thrones Season”.

“Game of Thrones” returns with Season 6

There are always plenty of things to look forward to when it comes to viewing television series on M-Net Edge channel 102 on DStv.

M-Net Edge is excited that Emmy® Award-winning Best Drama Series Game of Thrones is returning on Monday April 25 at 03:00 (Express from the US) and Thursday 28 April at 21:00 (Prime Time) with an all-new season of duplicity and treachery, nobility and honour, conquest and triumph.

So much fun.

Don’t forget the television is another medicine you can’t get from the doctor.

Watch, enjoy and learn. A human needs to relax.

Till next week. Happy viewing.