Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
President Mnangagwa was honoured as the Global Social-Cultural President of the Year at the Rivers International Film Festival, held last weekend in River State, Nigeria.
His honour complemented the triumph of the movie “Chinhoyi 7”, which scooped four awards out of six nominations.
The well-deserved victory also marked the dawn of a new era for the film industry, which has been thriving for years, as “Chinhoyi 7” emerged as a game-changer.
Written and directed by Moses Matanda, the movie chronicles the story of seven ZANLA guerrillas, who were the first to fight Ian Smith regime, sparking the Second Chimurenga that ultimately led to Zimbabwe’s independence.
The film was sponsored by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and premièred on March 16, 2018. Tawanda Sarireni served as the producer, while Major (Retired) Special Matarirano acted as the military advisor on the Chinhoyi 7 set. All the attention has now shifted to the President’s recognition, which has since increased the film’s appeal both locally and internationally.
Speaking to Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub shortly after the President was honoured in Nigeria, Matanda expressed gratitude for the support they were receiving from the Government.
“The award for the President is in recognition of the number of awards and the support given to our film by the government, which is why we won most of the awards from India to America, France and so forth,” stressed Matanda.
“The President’s recognition is also an honour for the number of awards that we received and the support from the Government that “Chinhoyi 7” benefited from, reflecting on the President and his efforts to improve the social-cultural existence of his people.”
Matanda also praised the President for allowing them to use the medium of film for story-telling. “Stories shape nations. Culture fuels them. Chinhoyi 7’s four awards at Nigeria’s Rivers International Film Festival — Best Story, Best Editing, Best International Film and Best Producer — remind us that Zimbabwe’s voice matters.
“Paired with His Excellency Dr E.D. Mnangagwa’s Global Socio-Cultural President of the Year Award, this moment honours our heritage, creativity and unity. Let’s keep telling authentic tales that bridge borders, challenge stereotypes and ignite pride. Film is a passport to empathy; culture is its soul. To the world: we are Zimbabwe. We create. We inspire,” emphasised Matanda.
“It is the beginning of a cultural exchange journey between Zimbabwe and Nigeria, where we need to focus on the development of our film industry and encourage our people to look back and do what our ancestors did.
“We must believe in ourselves, believe in our religion, and respect our culture and our fore-fathers.”
Matanda also commended the good relations existing between the two nations.
“From Zimbabwe to Nigeria, we are one people, one nation, and we must work together to promote African culture, promote ourselves, and become the people who are respected internationally as Africans.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by Matarirano, who described the President and Chinhoyi 7’s recognition as a step in the right direction.
“As the military advisor representing the Zimbabwe Defence Forces as a sponsor for the movie, I can say we were elated by winning the awards and, much more, the recognition of our President, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Comrade E.D. Mnangagwa.
“His recognition in Nigeria is part of his mission. His involvement in supporting the arts in Zimbabwe is humbling because we have set the flag so high here by winning several awards and making sure that our President is recognised.
“By winning numerous awards, our country was acknowledged, and the involvement of the government in this film was recognised through the award to His Excellency, the President,” he stressed.
Matarirano has vowed to forge alliances with Nigerian producers for the development of the film sector.
“We will take this as a platform to take off. We have managed to establish promising collaborations. We are setting another stage above what we have achieved so far, and I believe that the local industry will not be the same again with the connectivity we now have.
“From the few production houses that came here, we are quite elated and look forward to making more films in Zimbabwe for the global market,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chinhoyi 7 was voted Best International Film, while Matanda won the Best Story category.
Taryn Calverley won Best Editing, and Sarireni won the Best Producer award.
The movie, shot from 2015 to 2018, has made a significant impact.
Matarirano and his team left Harare confident that the movie will continue to penetrate the global market, especially after Africa endorsed it with six powerful nominations.
Matanda, Matarirano and Sarireni have been commended for their contributions to telling the story of Zimbabwe in a unique way through film.
