Inspiring story for African actors

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Entertainment Reporter
The story of Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o, who recently scooped an award for best supporting act at the Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, should provide a lot of inspiration to African actors.
The Oscar piles onto a haul of 32 accolades that the 31-year-old has so far won for her role in the movies “12 Years a Slave”.

Lupita’s fairy tale run is unparalleled in Africa where we have had a severe drought, not a natural one, but of people who make the spotlight in acting.

The other success story has been that of South African actress Charlize Theron in the early 2000 after she won an Oscar.

The rewards were rich.

Theron later featured on several projects because of the award.

This presents a poser to the African arts and film sectors.

Are we doing enough to breed the Lupitas and Therons?

There is lack of recognition of the importance of film and art by governments and society, due to rigid attitudes and other negative inertia. This translates to lack of funding and related support, which is our major obstacle.
Institutional capacity building is key, as there should be investments in the arts and entertainment sector.

Schools and academies for film, music and other arts must be built, funded and supported by governments and the private sector.

Professionalism also helps advance the industry.

Lack of professionalism has so far been the bane of our local industry where artists have not been treated with the respect they deserve.

Some go for months or projects without pay while others are abused sexually or otherwise.

Some projects just fizzle out because of poor planning and imagination.

Take the local industry, for example, where we have had quite popular soapies and other productions.

A soap could last for many decades, but who remembers Studio 263 or Makorokoza today?

Actresses like Tinopona Katsande, Charmaine Mangwende and Pretty Xaba are not as active as they should be in film.

These productions and actresses should have been capturing imaginations today but poor creativity, planning and talent have hampered progress.

And you know you have a problem in your hands when our own awards ceremonies that are supposed to inspire artists turn out to be unconvincing.

Take the recent uproar over National Arts Merit Awards for instance.

There was uproar after comedian “Sabhuku Vharazipi” was not nominated for an award, yet he has done well in the industry.

There is nothing much to inspire the artistes.

The late comedians Safirio “Mukadota” Madzikatire, and Phillip “Paraffin” Mushangwe were very popular in the industry but they did not get what they deserved financially.

Although we have some talented actors, chances for international exposure are minimal because our productions lack quality.

The story of Lupita should teach us to do better things in our backyards so that we can stand up for international recognition.

Lupita’s story is a commendable and shows talent.