Cont wraps up 13-episode series

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Arts doyen Cont Mhlanga has wrapped up filming for the first soapie to be completed under the Zambezi-Shangani project which is part of Zimbabwea��s ongoing digitisation project.

The 13 episodes of the soapie, called Esigabeni, were completed recently and it is now in the post production stage with the first rough edit of the end product expected to be presented on Monday.

The completion of filming on the project coincides with the visit of a high powered delegation led by Information, Media and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary George Charamba and the Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Chris Mushohwe to Lupane where they are expected to engage with content producers from that district and other areas in Matabeleland North.

Mhlanga was pulled from retirement by Minister Mushohwe last year to help in the training of the countrya��s next generation of producers.

Over and above his training of young professionals, Mhlanga was tasked to oversee four TV projects from Tsholotsho, Binga, Lupane and Hwange. The four programmes whose pilot projects have been finished thus far are Sharp Zinto (entertainment magazine show) Esigabeni (soapie), Ezika Lobengula kaMawaba (documentary) and Abasacathulayo (youth talent show).

So far, only Esigabeni has finished filming.

a�?We were perhaps slower than we would have liked because there is a critical shortage of skilled personnel in the four districts. That in itself presents both a challenge and an opportunity for us as it makes sure the training of more personnel is a priority,a�? said Mhlanga in an interview.

He added that filming with a�?people who had never even seen TVa�? had its pleasing moments.

a�?People come and consult with me when Ia��m milking my goats and this is different from a place like Bulawayo where one would get inquiries at the office. In a setting like this there is more room to work together,a�? he said.