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Langalakhe Mabena
After scooping two awards from five nominations at this year’s National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) held early this year, theatre play Imbokodo’s cast members are floating on top of the cream as the play is once more nominated four times at this year’s Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (RoilBAA).
The awards are set to be held on 28 November.
The play is nominated for Outstanding Theatre production with Agnes Ncube and Charmaine Mudau nominated for Outstanding Theatre Actress and Cadric Msongelwa for Outstanding Theatre Actor.
Nobert Makoche who is the script writer and director of Imbokodo has his other play Bleeding Wounds nominated in the Outstanding Theatre category battling with Lady Tshawe’s 6.55.
The play, which advocates for women’s rights, took over five months to create and the director Makoche revealed to B-Metro that he was happy with the reception and the success the play had attracted.
“In coming up with Imbokodo, I gave it time and patience, I criticised myself until I saw my idea worth being called a script. It took months of creation and during the process I managed to remain real to my style of writing, which made the story successful.
“Up to now I still can’t believe the play is doing wonders because this was my first professional theatre production. I am still overwhelmed with the love and support it has received from people. It has changed my life,” said Makoche.
Despite the play proving to be successful, Makoche believes that the Covid-19 pandemic became an obstacle as it prevented the play from doing justice in as far as its showcasing is concerned.
It did not tour more outside Bulawayo and Zimbabwe.
“The plan was to do more shows and tour around Zimbabwe with Zambia being the first stop outside the country.
“We were also billed to perform at the Loziba Festival but because of the lockdown and its restrictions the festivity was cancelled, otherwise I believe the play would have been more successful,” said Makoche.
The playwright gave credit to Chipo Mawarire who was in the lighting department of the play for blending in the emotions with colour and lighting in all the Imbokodo’s Bulawayo shows.
Completing the six-member cast of the play are Chelesile Mpofu, Sihle Masuku, and Ronald Sigeca who is also nominated for Best Outstanding Actor for his role on the play Bleeding Wounds.
Online Reporter