Online Reporter
Arts Reporter
In a significant boost for local film enthusiasts and practitioners, Talent of Steel (TOS), under the leadership of Eddie Ndhlovu, is set to begin shooting a new movie titled Moja Love in March.
The movie features a star-studded cast including Benhildah Kandawasvika, Collin Ncube, Anne Gwasira, Charity Mahowa-Matavo, Andile Ndhlovu, Anele Ndhlovu, and Tazdeo Nzuda, and has been hailed as a game-changer in its genre.
Talent Chitauro serves as the movie producer while Andre Ndlovu takes on the role of director.
What has raised the movie’s appeal is its production coinciding with the recent launch of a five-year National Film and Television Strategy blueprint by various stakeholders in film and television, aimed at revitalising the sector.
This initiative has been endorsed by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture.
As such, Ndhlovu has gone out of his way to ensure the sector remains relevant by producing this film.
“Moja Love is a low-budget film financed by Talent of Steel. It features an open budget that allows us to maximize the creative potential of the project, ensuring that every frame enhances the storytelling and production quality,” he stated.
“With a surge of films emerging from Zimbabwe last year, Moja Love will contribute significantly to this momentum, fostering industry growth.
“A thriving film sector attracts potential investors, leading to more opportunities for filmmakers and creatives in the region,” emphasised Ndhlovu.
“Targeting the primary audience in Zimbabwe, Moja Love is set to premiere in May on local television stations. Following this, the aim is to expand its reach beyond borders to connect with a wider audience.”
In a subsequent press release, Ndhlovu said Moja Love is one of TOS’s major productions for 2025.
“Moja Love is an authentic Zimbabwean film that captures the heart and soul of life through the lens of the Shona language, with its primary audience being Zimbabweans.
“Inspired by real-life stories that impact our socio-economic landscape, this film delves into the intricacies of family, love, and the struggles that shape our everyday lives. Written and directed by Eddie Ndhlovu, principal photography is set to commence in March at Lake Chivero, in collaboration with ZimParks.”
Unpacking Moja Love, its synopsis reads:
“The film opens with a poignant scene: a vibrant gathering of family and friends around a large, disheveled pile of clothes and personal belongings—a traditional ceremony known as kugova nhumbi.
“This gathering, steeped in Shona culture, serves as a way to share the deceased’s (Betina) belongings.
“Among the crowd are her elder sister, Mai Goddy, a woman of strong opinions; her brother, the quiet but thoughtful Ketai; his spirited twin, Fiona; the eager young sister, Rosina; and Betina’s two children, the resilient Lucky (14) and the imaginative Zodwa (12).
“As emotions flare, a heated debate erupts over who will take custody of the children. Rosina, filled with ambition and a desire to provide a better life, insists on bringing them to the bustling city.
“This proposal is met with fierce resistance from Mai Goddy, who claims her right to the children, pointing to her years of care during Betina’s illness.”
The synopsis continues:
“The tension mounts as family dynamics clash—voices rise, and old grievances surface, painting a vivid picture of familial bonds tested by tragedy.
“Ultimately, under the weight of family pressure, the decision falls to Mai Goddy, despite her questionable capabilities as a guardian.
“As Lucky reassures Zodwa that they will navigate this storm together, the children find solace in their aunt Fiona’s home and seek refuge from their uncle Ketai’s quiet strength.”
The movie director also highlighted that the film explores everyday life. “Moja Love is not merely a story of loss but a celebration of resilience and the spirit of Ubuntu. It explores the complexities of love, responsibility, and the struggle to forge a path in a world burdened by the challenges of being orphans,” he said.
Besides this movie, Ndhlovu has also written and directed the soap opera Wenera. He wrote and directed Revelations and the Bundu TV series, which won the Best Television Production Award at the ZAFTAS 2024.
He also directed the feature film Sores of Emmanuel in May 2010. Ndhlovu also wrote and directed Thandie’s Diary and, more recently, co-directed Nyanga with Jakov Dakovic, which was released last year.
