Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE premiere of Living in Harmony at Soft Foot Alliance in Mabale, rural Hwange, recently offered a raw and unflinching examination of one of Matabeleland North’s most pressing challenges: the intricate relationship between humans and wildlife in and around Hwange National Park.
Filmed in Hwange National Park and surrounding communities such as Mabale, Chezhou, Dete, Dopota and Gwayi — as well as in Harare through an interview with Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo — the documentary presents a compelling insight into the realities of co-existence between people and wildlife.
Directed by Survivor Nyasulu and co-produced by Matesu Dube, both graduates of Lupane State University’s BA Honours in Film, Television and Media Studies programme, this EU Culture Fund-supported documentary explores the delicate balance between conservation and community survival with remarkable depth and authenticity.
What distinguishes Living in Harmony, is its intimate storytelling approach. Rather than relying on abstract statistics, the film centres on the human experience of conflict. Through heartfelt testimonies from victims of animal attacks, Nyasulu and Dube reveal the true cost of sharing land with some of Africa’s most majestic yet dangerous wildlife.
The documentary does not shy away from the harsh realities: livestock decimated by predators, crops ravaged by elephants and the ever-present fear of encounters that could prove fatal. Yet, it avoids a one-sided narrative. Instead, the filmmakers delve into the dual nature of the crisis, showing how human activities — such as poaching for sustenance and ivory, and the use of harmful deterrent methods — pose serious threats to wildlife populations.
Nyasulu highlighted one of the film’s most powerful segments.
“The most compelling part focuses on wire snares, which have become a central environmental crisis in the region. The film follows rangers on their daily missions to locate and remove these deadly traps, turning what could have been routine conservation footage into something deeply human and urgent.”
Adding a hopeful dimension, the documentary showcases a creative conservation initiative that transforms recovered snares into sellable artwork, with proceeds supporting key projects like Painted Dogs Conservation — an organisation dedicated to protecting the endangered African wild dog.
Nyasulu’s personal background lends unique credibility to the production.
“Through my work with Painted Dogs Conservation and involvement in its Wildlife Bush Camp initiative, I’ve been educating primary school children about conservation. I also hosted a wildlife conservation talk show on Skyz Metro FM for four years,” he shared.
Co-producer Dube, expressed their hopes for the film.
“Our wish is that this film encourages open discussions in communities on how best to manage human-wildlife conflict. We hope it brings together communities, the Government, and other stakeholders to agree on practical steps to address this challenge. Solving it requires everyone to work together.”
He also spoke about the emotional and logistical hurdles faced during production:
“Working on this film was not easy because the subject is very sensitive. Some stakeholders were reluctant to be interviewed, and it was emotionally challenging to engage with victims, especially those who had been attacked by animals.
“We avoided approaching families who had lost loved ones because many are still grieving. Despite these challenges, with the support of community leaders, we managed to capture important voices and experiences for the film.” — @mthabisi_mthire
