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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
THE Amakhosi Productions and disbanded Joint Operations and Implementation Committee (Jomic)-funded series Nyaminyami – hangs in the balance as it has not been shown to the public – over a year since the project’s completion. The Nyaminyami series aimed at peace-building ahead of the July 31, 2013 elections was produced by Amakhosi in 2012. It explored issues of political polarisation, intolerance, violence and its consequences. Though the series’ 13 episodes were filmed, edited and packaged, they were never shown to the public due to the disbandment of Jomic.
Speaking on the fate of the Nyaminyami series, Cont Mhlanga – who was the director of the project – said the series which was targeted at the 2013 elections was still relevant and could still be released.
“Even though the series now seems to be irrelevant since elections were held last year, elections are inevitable in Zimbabwe and the series can be released any time. The series’ content would seem irrelevant because we are not going towards elections, but I believe the series is still relevant in Zimbabwe and has life lessons which can teach any generation,” he said.
Mhlanga said the Nyaminyami series was in the same league with plays like Stitsha which was modified into a television series.
“Nyaminyami was written and directed in a way that you can pull it off the shelf after 30 years and it will still be relevant. It has life lessons that are not affected by time.
“It is a typical Cont Mhlanga production, it is timeless,” he said.
The Nyaminyami series is set in the fictitious Republic of Nyaminyami. A dark cloud hangs over Nyaminyami International Business College after Bruno in his second year, guns down 12 fellow students. The tensions at home and in the society impact on him so much that he inherits this violent nature.
Greed, deception, corruption, inter and intra-political party violence are the order of the day as the Republic of Nyaminyami makes the long painful journey toward its greatness.
Asked when the series would be released, Mhlanga said they were facing challenges with finding a media outlet to release the series.
He was, however, optimistic with the impending digitalisation next year saying there would at least be more media outlets to take up content.
“We need to find the best media outlet for all content besides Nyaminyami. By 2016 I believe that there will be more media outlets in Zimbabwe’s television and media landscape to take up a lot of content,” said Mhlanga.
Online Reporter