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Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
DAVID MUBAYIWA, who plays “Sabhuku Vharazipi” in the popular comedy of the same name, is on the verge of signing a major endorsement deal as he rides on a wave of popularity after the successful premiere of the sequel “Sabhuku Vharazipi 2” in Harare last week.
As he battles to show that professional acting and film-making is a business he also made a passionate plea to fans to buy original copies of the film during the premiere.
According to Mubayiwa, pirates were pauperising the artistes who borrow money from the banks only for their products to be pirated.
“For most of us it is just fame without fortune because we are not making any money from our products but instead it is the pirates who are gaining from our sweat,” he said.
Now he is about to win endorsement with Clyana Trading, a company with interests in car tracking systems.
According to the deal, Mubayiwa will appear in television commercials promoting the company’s wide range of products.
“We want Mubayiwa to feature in our commercials which will run on radio and television. We are hoping to have a meeting with him today (yesterday),” Kaylene Joseph said in an interview yesterday.
Mubayiwa, who was still in Masvingo yesterday, said he was happy that his efforts were finally paying off.
“I am still to get details but generally I am happy that we are being recognised for our efforts,” he said.
The story behind “Sabhuku Vharazipi” has captured the entire nation through its razor-sharp and at times slapstick humour.
“Sabhuku Vharazipi” is based on a corrupt village head who manipulates the distribution of food and other inputs in his area to get what he wants, including women. He abuses his position and intimidates women before he asks for sexual favours.
“Sabhuku Vharazipi” also uses his position for political mileage to enrich himself and his family. He is the entry point to the village and anyone, either a politician or otherwise, has to pass through him.
The headman approves every activity in the village and in the process he calls the shots. The play is a socio-political comedy touching on several issues like corruption, politics of the stomach, headman’s position in the village and life in the village.
In the sequel, we see a losing candidate going back to his constituency, this time not for votes but to meet the people at grassroots level. He accepts defeat and wants to be with the community.
The story starts slowly but then develops into a complex narrative of village life and the politics of survival.
The first “Sabhuku Vharazipi” had over 52 000 hits on YouTube and over 27 000 likes on its Facebook page.
This level of appreciation tells you how good the producers and the cast are in terms of content.
Online Reporter