Chronicle Editor
Angela Sibanda, Showbiz Reporter
Amacala 2, a product of Amplifying Girls Voices through Digital Art is set to be premiered tonight on YouTube as a way to commemorate the Day of the African Child (DAC).
The short story seeks to address issues that affect the African child, especially child marriages and highlight the role of parents in guiding children.
The first episode was premiered in August last year and featured young talented actors from Bulawayo including Stacey Matarise who plays the role of Lubae, Lonesome Kudzai who plays Thabo, Nomvuyiso Mabi, Shammah Banda and Chelesile Mpofu. The second edition features music by Vusa Mkhaya and Simz Masuku.
Directed by William Nyandoro, the film was produced by renowned filmmaker and author Raisedon Baya with a number of creatives from the city including Matesu Dube — the director of Umkhathi Theatre works being part of the production.
In the film, Lubae, a Form 4 pupil at a rural school is found in a compromising position with her school leaver sweetheart Thabo on her way from school. The two are found cuddling in the bushes by an elderly woman, MaNkomo, who after chasing them away from their spot, rushes home to tell Lubae’s mother. The incident becomes a turning point in the young girl’s life and education.
The film has over 3 000 views on YouTube with many expressing anticipation for the second edition.
Posting on his Facebook page, Baya said the second edition is being deliberately premiered today as it is in line with this year’s Day of the African Child theme, “Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: Progress on Policy & Practice since 2013”.
“On 16 June, we are launching the second installment of Amacala. The day is also known as the Day of the African Child. The issues in the film resonate well with this year’s Day of African Child theme,” wrote Baya.
The day is celebrated every year on June 16 with the celebrations based on themes identified and agreed upon by the African Committee after consultations with children organised by partner organisations.
Day of the African Child was instituted in 1991 by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in memory of the 16th June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa.
Since then, the OAU and its successor, the African Union, have used the DAC to remember these children, celebrate children in Africa as well as inspire a sober reflection and action towards addressing the plethora of challenges that children in Africa face daily.
Apart from Amacala, Amplifying Girls Voices has produced a collection of short films that seek to educate, especially young people on issues of sexual reproductive health, self-confidence and conduct, drug abuse and the importance of education among others subjects. These films include Date night, Ama2K, Foul play and Second chance girls.
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