The Sunday News
Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday Life Reporter
ITHEMBA Arts, producers of a local mini arts festival under Gitiz Arts Organisation, are set to shoot a drama series in Gwanda.
Titled Golden Belt, the short drama is chronicles the lives of goldpanners and their hope to strike the gold belt. The play is set to depict how communities in mining towns relate, showing the day to day activities of mining people. The drama series will be shot around mining claims in Gwanda in Matabeleland South province.
Funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ), the short drama film gave locals the opportunity to be part of it after it held its auditions last Sunday at Jahunda Community Hall.
Ithemba Arts founding director, Dumoluhle Dube said: “We were motivated to produce a film on goldpanners because of the passion we have on creative arts in small societies. There are a lot of things associated with the lives of goldpanners as they fight over claims which in other cases lead to loss of lives. That is a cause of concern that needs to be addressed,” said Dube who is the producer of the drama series.
He said he hopes the public will warmly welcome the drama series and purchase DVDs and desist from buying pirated copies as the drama series is to create a forum of discussion.
The shooting will commence this week with a cast of up-and-coming and veteran actors from Gwanda and surrounding areas. Music artistes are also included in the casting lineup.
Young talented Proficience Cadder, stage name Kadder, former Amakorokoza actress and Starbrite 2016 finalist will also feature in the production.
House artiste Khoikhoi, Webson Zenda and Mongeni Khumalo will also feature in the drama series.@mthabisi_mthire.
