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Jonathan Mbiriyamveka TV
What a hectic weekend it was and I hope I find you well. This week, we are looking at the role of independent producers and how they can improve on programming not just on ZBCTV but also Africa Magic which is a bigger platform.
It’s been a while since Zimbabwean independent producers contributed anything meaningful yet there are several platforms through to which they can submit their stuff.

Recently, AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards announced a call for entries for the second edition. The AMVCAs were created to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution made by pan-African filmmakers, actors and technicians in the success of the continent’s film and television industry.

A total of 28 awards in 26 categories will be awarded ranging from acting and directing to scriptwriting and cinematography, with nine of those categories being voted for by the viewers. Other areas in which honours will be given are editing, make-up, sound, lighting, including the most anticipated of the whole ceremony, the Industry Merit Award and the Trailblazer of the Year Award. Last year the two awards were awarded to veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs and Nigerian actress Ivie Okujaiye respectively.

The inaugural AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards ceremony took place in Lagos on March, 9 2013. However, what surprises yours truly is that not many Zimbabwean film producers are interested in the event.

It is the same situation when it comes to ZBCTV, there are not many producers who are taking advantage and produce films for national broadcaster and yet people complain about poor programming. The onus is on Zimbabwean independent producers to take the lead and provide the much-needed content. It is our hope that independent producers will heed the call and provide quality programming.
Here are some films you can look forward to on DStv:

DStv September Highlights – E36B
M-Net (DStv Channel 101)
King & Maxwell: Jon Tenney and Rebecca Romijn play private investigators Sean King and Michelle Maxwell. Sean King and Michelle Maxwell aren’t your typical private investigators. Both are former Secret Service agents, and their unique skills – not to mention their undeniable chemistry – give them a leg up on conventional law enforcement.

Maxwell is a former Olympic athlete who uses her brains, beauty and Beltway connections to solve cases. King’s career in the Secret Service ended when the presidential candidate he was assigned to protect was assassinated, sending him on a downward spiral. Tunein from Wednesday September 18 at 19:30 CAT.

SONY ENTERTAINMENT (DStv Channel 127)
Sister Sister 1: Meet identical twin sisters Tia and Tamera (played by real-life twins Tia and Tamera Mowry), who were separated at birth and reunited as teenagers. They may look alike, but their characters’ personalities are like chalk and cheese: Tia is a brainy, studious girl while Tamera is a happy-go-lucky, boy-crazy lass.Put them together and it makes for sitcom fireworks – made even more interesting by the addition of Tia’s outspoken adoptive mother and Tamera’s conservative adoptive father. Tune in from Friday September 20 at 18:10 CAT.
EBONY LIFE TV (DStv Channel 165)

The Spot:  Talk meets Sitcom in this unique hang-out style talk show format. Viewers get to kick back on their couches and join hosts Zainab Balogun, Lamide Akintobi and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, making it The Spot to chat about topical issues with a fresh edge and a dash of wit. Tune in on weekdays at 20:30 CAT.

Sistaz: Enter the glamorous world of The Sistaz. These gorgeous sisters are ready to make their mark in fashion, modelling and entertainment. Unexpected twists pop up as each of them pursues their dreams. Luckily for The Sistaz, their bond of sisterhood is strong enough to see them through the bumps along life’s road. Watch it on Mondays at 22:30 CAT.

Moments with Mo:  There’s an exciting new refresh for Africa’s first syndicated Pan African talk show, Moments with Mo. Mo Abudu is joined by two new, lovely co-hosts Dolapo Oni and Bolanle Olukanni and together they continue to make Moments with Mo the arrival point for inspirational, successful Africans and their stories . . . from all spheres on interest. Watch it on weekdays at 21:30 CAT.
DISCOVERY TLC (DStv Channel 172)

Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners (Premiere): The series follows Linda Dykes, a self-confessed compulsive cleaner from North Wales, who loves cleaning so much she’s set up her own cleaning agency. Linda believes that compulsive cleaners have a special set of skills that could change the habits of the nation and she’s teaming up with other obsessive cleaners to help clean Britain’s dirty homes and filthy public spaces. Watch it from Friday September 20 at 20:10 CAT.

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