Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
FORGET silver screens alone; award-winning filmmaker Lenni “MDawini” Sibanda is now focusing his lens on capturing Bulawayo’s soul through its food.
Four years after orchestrating the chaos of “Foodie Lovers Dating Show,” where romance met bowls, Sibanda has embarked on a new equally mouth-watering mission − documenting the city’s booming culinary narrative through its most dynamic digital voices.
Partnering with KwaBulawayo, the city’s burgeoning online food guide platform, Sibanda is crafting a captivating digital series.
This project isn’t just about recipes.
It’s a cinematic exploration of the personalities and platforms shaping how Bulawayo tastes, shares, and celebrates its unique food culture with the world.
Viewers are set to meet Prince Sivalo Mahlangu (Magriza Made Me Cook) who brings relatable cooking energy to YouTube.
Natasha Chiedza Moyo, an Instagram force showcasing flavour and flair, Jennifer Chiveya, who captures quick-fire food magic on TikTok, Ashley Ganyanhewe, an influencer blending taste and lifestyle, as well as Rato, another vibrant TikTok voice, celebrating food and living well, are also part of the show.
The series finds its perfect backdrop at the Indaba Book Café in Bulawayo’s CBD.
Amidst bookshelves and the café’s warm ambiance, Sibanda conducts intimate, revealing conversations, transforming the space into a stage for culinary confessionals and creative showcases.
“The shoots have been fun and eye-opening. We’re spotlighting the people who are using new-age media to document and share Bulawayo’s food culture.
“These creators are capturing an integral part of our heritage for future generations.
“This series is about giving them their flowers and celebrating their contributions now,” Sibanda said.
This fusion of gastronomy and cinematic storytelling is a natural progression for Sibanda.
His acclaimed work, including the National Arts Merit Awards winning piece “Jane the Ghost” (Best Short Film Director, 2016), has graced screens at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival (2013) and international festivals in Stuttgart, Germany, and Italy.
Now, he applies that keen visual sense and narrative skill to the richness of Bulawayo’s kitchens, markets, and digital feeds.
The first episode is now live, streaming across KwaBulawayo’s digital ecosystem: YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and their official website.
He will continue to seek out and interview Bulawayo’s finest culinary voices, ensuring the city’s food story.
