The Sunday News
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
IN the realm of storytelling, certain tales possess a profound ability to captivate and ignite the imagination. Such is the case with Umhlolo waseZhwane, a remarkable short film directed by the renowned playwright and author, Raisedon Baya.
With his creative story telling prowess and a team of talented individuals on the stage, Baya has resurrected a newspaper article that gripped the nation’s attention in 2022 — a story that unravelled in the remote Tsholotsho district, leaving an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of the nation.
The original article, which was broken by Sunday News senior reporter, Robin Muchetu on 30 October 2022, chronicled the extraordinary circumstances the then nine-year-old minor found herself in where she was removed from childhood purity through pregnancy.
The nation stood aghast as events unfolded, casting a spotlight on the complexities of human relationships and the fragility of innocence. The narrative took an unexpected turn with the arrest of her father, suspected of being the perpetrator, and the subsequent involvement of various stakeholders, including the Government.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests however, later proved that the minor had in fact been impregnated by her then 13-year-old cousin. The short film adaptation, staring Thando Cele as the nine-year-old Nkazana, masterfully weaves together the threads of this gripping story, enveloping viewers in a world where truth and deception intermingle.
Baya’s directorial finesse shines through every frame, creating a cinematic experience that transcends boundaries. The production boasts pristine cinematography, unparalleled acting, and a compelling script that resonates with viewers on a deep and emotional level.
The performances delivered by the cast are nothing short of extraordinary. Each actor breathes life into their character, immersing themselves in the complexities and nuances of the story.
left: Raisedon Baya right: Robin Muchetu Sunday News Senior Reporter
Their commitment to their craft is evident in every scene, eliciting a range of emotions from the audience — empathy, anger, disbelief and ultimately, a sense of collective introspection. Baya’s visionary direction ensures that every aspect of the film is executed with meticulous attention to detail. From the evocative set designs to the seamless editing, each element works in harmony to create a world that feels both authentic and relatable. The narrative unfolds with a steady pace, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the story while contemplating the profound themes it explores.
“The inspiration was the real life story of the nine-year-old Tsholotsho girl who got pregnant and was dubbed the youngest mother in the country. It is both a fascinating and painful story. It was crying to be told. Also experience has shown us that the real life stories are better than fiction,” said Baya in an interview with Sunday Life.
Umhlolo waseZhwane is not just a local production; it is a testament to the immense talent and creative prowess within Zimbabwe’s artistic landscape. It stands as a testament to the fact that homegrown productions can compete on the international stage, holding their own against any drama from around the world, with Baya revealing that their original concept was to turn the short film into a series.
As the credits roll, viewers are left with a profound sense of awe and admiration for the team behind this remarkable film. Umhlolo waseZhwane is a testament to the power of storytelling, reminding us of the transformative potential that lies within the realm of cinema.
“The original idea is to make it a series. It’s a rich story with many angles and we have managed to create interesting characters that can take the story higher and longer. However, film demands resources and we don’t have that. We will try and push for part two and maybe part three,” he said.
On the actual production of the short film, Baya revealed that they worked with some young girls under the Amplifying Girls Voice through Digital Arts banner, who wrote the rough draft of the script which they then refined.
Amplifying Girls Voice through Digital Arts, is a platform dedicated to promoting arts and culture and amplifying girls’ voices through the lens of digital arts, shedding light on crucial social issues young girls face in contemporary society.
“Basic process for the project. Ideation; which was more about looking at the idea and research and getting the girls to discuss the ideas and the issues and see how they can be presented visually. Then in scripting, a couple of girls got to write the rough drafts. Then we polished the script. We auditioned many aspiring actors. And are happy to say we discovered new faces and new talent for the future. The film was shot in Matobo,” he said.
Baya lauded the natural talent that the country has saying there were a lot of talented individuals who could take the country’s film industry to greater heights.
“We have beautiful stories as a country, beautiful languages to tell the stories. We have talented and excited young people willing to tell their stories through film but film demands serious resources and that is one of the challenges in Zimbabwe. The other challenge is training. Most of our filmmakers are informally trained. That makes it difficult to export their skills outside. These challenges need to be addressed immediately if we are to make some impact internationally. We are happy with the excitement and the good reviews the film is getting. This has fired up the actors and the crew to want to do part two. But there is still work of pushing the same to film festivals around the region and internationally,” he added.
