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Tafadzwa Zimoyo Senior Arts Reporter
A NEW local television family game show “Tamba 263” is now ready to be screened on ZBC Television’s next season which begins next month, after completion of shooting. The brainchild of rising television producer Chiedza Caroline Chitehwe, it is a fun-filled social entertainment show with contestants collaborating or distracting each other.
One winner emerges at the end of the game.

The 25-minute programme run by “Chichi Productions” encompasses traditional Shona games among them “nhodo”, “pada”, and “tsoro” while a quiz on general knowledge is also in- cluded.

This is being conducted in a bid to revisit the old era and bring back the games that educated and united families long back.
In an interview, Chitehwe said she was happy to complete shooting.

“As we speak now the relevant authority including the first viewing committee are busy with the show. ‘Tamba 263’ was funded by Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).

“We worked well on our programme and we are now ready to screen it, all thanks to BAZ who funded the project and Mr George Charamba, who facilitated,” she said.
Chitehwe said they managed to attract local celebrities to be part of their pilot season.

“It was tough at first but we managed to get many celebrities to participate in our show.
“We are keeping the names of participants a secret in order to create surprises, so when we get to screening, tune in and find out who among your celebrities can play pada or nhodo very well,” she said.

Though there is no prize money this season Chitehwe hopes to rope in sponsors in subsequent seasons.
“In Season Two we hope to rope in sponsors for prizes. My desire is to see my nation on the globe from a different angle. This show is not a borrowed concept but is truly original one,” she said.

“It hurts to see fellow citizens developing loyalty to foreign television productions yet the same can be done with our own productions. We can develop a celebrity culture for the film industry. I have never done television but thought of breaking the ice on such complicated production. I am encouraging other film producers to follow suit,” she said.