The Sunday Mail
RISING independent producer-cum-actor, Von Tavaziva, believes DStv is going to force ZBC to up its game.
Tavaziva, who at the end of the month will launch a sequel to “S’mbimbino” following the success of the first installment on DStv, said local content creators stood to gain from the South African broadcaster’s hunt for talent in Zimbabwe.
Von Tavaziva
Popular for his role as Detective Chanaiwa in his series “Go-Chanaiwa-Go”, Tavaziva says he had finished shooting his DStv sequel “S’mbimbino Reloaded”, but a launch date is yet to be finalised.
“As it stands we are good to go. The (launch) date and venue will be made public as soon as we finalise talks with the venue owners that we have identified. But definitely the launch is on this month,” he said.
Screening of local productions on MultiChoice channels has created numerous opportunities for producers, who no longer have to solely rely on ZBC to buy their products.
A fortnight ago, a top official from DStv’s Zambezi Magic, Addiel Dzinoreva, met players in the local film industry to deliver more good news at an event organised by the Zimbabwe Film Festival Trust.
Local filmmakers can now showcase their work on Zambezi Magic and get paid for it. The same also applies to top Zimbabwe music videos.
Tavaziva added that the proposed six new ZBC channels mean more talent is going to be nurtured.
“If we had no platform for these films and series to reach viewers both within and outside the country, we would probably by now have long quit. The coming on board of stations like Zambezi Magic to complement the other two (Mzansi Magic and Mzansi Wethu) that we have already been using is a welcome development. This means more opportunities have been created,” he said.
“‘S’mbimbino-Reloaded’ will show film aficionados that standards are improving within the local film industry. Unlike in the past, ZBC now has competition.
“The producers can now choose where to sell their products. However, we hope the introduction of new channels on ZBC will further help develop the film industry.”
On “S’mbimbino Reloaded”, Tavaziva took a different route from his usual action packed crime themes. The film was shot in a rural setting and is centred on girls’ empowerment, and the concept of faith and healing takes centre stage.
The lead actor Amina Chivasa (S’mbimbino) operates under the motto “I will do anything for my brother” – a brother who is physically unwell.
“I want to show that I can work with any theme and still come up with an interesting storyline. Some doubt my capacity, arguing that I’m limited to drug and crime themes, but that is not the case.
This is a cultural product done in Shona throughout,” said Tavaziva.
“We have various themes that we are going to be gradually developing. The issue of sponsorship and resources have been our major challenges. However, we hope the opening up of new avenues will also help improve our bank balances.”
The core characters of S’mbimbino have been maintained in the sequel. S’mbimbino, Kwinjo (real name Kudzai Musonza), Shaddy (born Daison Nyasha) and Proud Sigauke acting as Tinashe in the film are supported by a new cast.
“It is good to work with veterans but also we should give a chance to new talent. On S’mbimbino-Reloaded I worked with a new cast but they still had the same effect. They were good and the results are there for all to see,” remarked the producer-cum-actor.
Previously Tavaziva has worked with characters like Felix Dapi famed for the character Chabvonga in Tiriparwendo and musician Kireni Zulu as detective Nigel and hip-hop artiste McDonald Maphosa aka Dizzy Don.
His first work as an independent producer was “Forty One” (2006). He later on went to shoot “Go-Chanaiwa-Go” seasons one and two (2010 and 2011) and S’mbimbino (2014).
Armed with a Microsoft Systems Engineering qualification, Tavaziva’s footprint in the cut-throat film industry has proved difficult to ignore and he is surely heading to the top.
