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I hope you had a lovely weekend. Last week, my inbox was filled with feedback over the MAMAs story. Both negative and positive criticism, but I remember what my mother always tells me that you always grow well if you take criticism well. Surprisingly, bloggers across Africa took ecception to the story and one thing I am happy about it is that next year the awards will be bigger and better and not be confined to South Africa and Nigerian artistes.

Zimbabwe has the chance to grow big when it comes to film , movies, soaps, live entertainment, news and documentaries.

It is just the limited resources holding us back because last weekend I attended a function at Rainbow Towers hosted by Black Opal Face of Zimbabwe and the quality of production was out of this world.

So my question, where are we lacking?

ZBC TV has continued entertaining us although it still got a long way to go and should give people value for their money on licensing.

On to DStv, I am told that Mzansi Magic channel has gone High Definition (HD) as of last Friday which is a noble idea.

So whether you watch Idols, Our Perfect Wedding, Zabalaza, Date My Family, or any other of the channel’s top programmes, you can now view your favourite Mzansi Magic shows in the highest broadcast quality.

“All of our premiere shows are shot in the HD format and we are very pleased to be able to now offer a full HD channel,” says director of M-Net Local Interest Channels Nkateko Mabaso.

“We know that our TV audiences increasingly appreciate and access top quality programming. So this development will specifically add value to their overall viewing experience. The channel also remains available in standard definition.”

Launched in 2010 to tell local stories and give a platform to home-grown talent, Mzansi Magic has grown rapidly. Today the channel generates local content across a diverse array of genres: drama (Isibaya and Zabalaza), reality (Utatakho), original movies, and various music spectaculars.

This month, as Mzansi Magic turns five, in addition to its HD evolution, the channel simultaneously launches a brand new prime-time drama.

“It’s Complicated”, starring Atandwa Kani, Siyabonga Radebe and Thishiwe Ziqubu launched on July 24 at 19.30. Following that, an exciting telenovela entitled “The Road”, will make its debut on the channel at the end of August.

DStv Premium and Compact customers with HD equipment can catch Mzansi Magic in high definition from July 24 on DStv channel 161.

Another interesting news still on DStv is that Zambezi Magic wants to air our local music videos.

Below are are some points received from the channel head, Addiel Dzinoreva, regarding content:

1. As a channel, Zambezi Magic, wants to be a contributing partner to the creative industries in Zimbabwe including TV and film, music, fashion, etc.

2. In terms of content, we are currently looking for completed projects to license. By that we mean, a completed feature, documentary, series, etc.

3. New fresh ideas are always welcome. But they will be considered for the next financial year, starting in April.

4. Quality is important for us but story is more important. We understand the challenges and we are going to be patient with producers. Producers must be patient.

5. As the channel grows, talent will grow, industry will grow.

6. We are servicing at least five countries. So there will be competition from other content producers from other countries. There will be competition for space on the channel. But we will try and make sure all voices are heard.

7. The content we have received from Zimbabwe is a tale of two extremes. Very high standard of production and extremely poor standards. In both cases, the most common problem is incomplete stuff. An incomplete series, no clear beginning, middle and end. Too many people looking to us to help complete their projects. Not now. But certainly in the future.

8. From October onwards you will start seeing more local productions and other productions from the Sadc region.

9. We are keen and eager to have music videos. We do not pay to play music videos to individual artistes. We deal with royalty collecting bodies such as RISA and SAMRO in SA. So if you are a musician make sure your publishers register your music with the respective bodies.

10. The pay off line for Zambezi Magic is: “Sharing our stories”. We want your stories. The Zimbabwean stories. So many untold stories from comedy, drama, sci-fi, soapies, documentaries, we want them all but Rome wasn’t built in a day… But we will get there. We hope the Zim industry is part of that journey.

It’s now up to us to pull up our socks.