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Yoliswa Dube, Showbiz Reporter
THE satire motif was successfully incorporated into Muchaneta, a situational comedy (sitcom) which premiered on ZBCtv on Thursday night, as it aptly highlights everyday life in the ghetto.
Muchaneta exploits various social themes from love to marriage, social class and broken relationships.
Set in the ghetto where people are constantly under public scrutiny, P.O Box comedian Bhutisi (real name Admire Kuzhangandira) plays Josphat and appears in the premiere outside the family home with his girlfriend Lucy whom he intends to marry.
Before he does, Josphat must introduce the rather timid and adamant Lucy to his unwelcoming mother.
As expected, Josphat’s mother will not hear of Lucy and challenges him to find another woman to marry.
She even says she does not care if he married an older woman, a baboon or a dog — as long as he did not marry Lucy.
Together with Josphat’s sister, Tambudzai, who is played by ZiFM’s Tendai “Sokostina” Garwe, Mai Bhasikoro chases Lucy from the rather dilapidated home.
In no time, Josphat meets and agrees to marry Muchaneta as they stroll the dusty ghetto streets while she sells second hand clothes from an ice-cream cart.
He, however, does not inform his mother of his new found love until they meet in dramatic fashion.
While on their way home from the magistrate’s court where they had gone to consummate their marriage, Josphat announces to his new wife that he is responsible for buying his mother groceries every month. This does not go down well with Muchaneta, a diva, who drags Josphat to his mother’s house to tell her they will no longer be responsible for her groceries now that they are married at law.
Muchaneta, dressed in a white pencil skirt suit, boots and a fascinator on her head, completely ignores the gate and jumps the fence into Mai Bhasikoro’s yard, who she finds outside.
They are embroiled in a brutal war of words — with Muchaneta undeterred by the fact that she is speaking to her now mother-in-law. On the other hand, the pressure to get married has also caught up with Tambu, who is trying to coerce a boyfriend, who no longer wants her, into marriage.
Now, Mai Bhasikoro has to deal with an unbecoming daughter-in-law and also endeavour to marry off Tambu.
Already, the name “Muchaneta” which, loosely translated, means “You’ll get tired” has assumed significance as it highlights how Mai Bhasikoro will eventually get tired of Muchaneta’s shenanigans.
Although the premiere of the production experienced some challenges with sound engineering on the small screen, the sitcom promises to be a rib cracker which has some important lessons to share.
Others who feature on the show are Kessia and Eddington Hatitongwe.
Muchaneta was written two years ago by talented filmmaker, Nick Zemura.
The show has 13 episodes and will air at 7PM every Thursday. It joins other exciting ZBCtv prime-time shows including Wenera and Battle of the Chefs Harare.
Online Reporter