Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
A NEW film, Ru$ambo, recently premiered and has thrown the culture of paying the bride price back into the spotlight.
The film was shot in Harare and Chitungwiza.
It was written and directed by Angela Zivo Gapa and produced by Eddie Ndhlovu.
Zivo said Ru$ambo follows the journey of Hanayashe, a Shona bride whose lobola ceremony unravels into a maze of accusations and secrets when the bride price mysteriously disappears. “With the marriage now in limbo, Hanayashe is forced to confront a painful truth: someone within her trusted circle has sabotaged her big day.
“To reclaim her future, she must untangle the motives of her family and close friends, exposing hidden agendas, fractured loyalties, and long-buried tensions. Inspired by whodunnit-style mysteries and African folktales of tricksters and betrayals, Ru$ambo transforms a seemingly straightforward theft into a gripping tale of suspicion, deception and cultural reckoning,” said Zivo.
She added: “I wanted to tell a distinctly Zimbabwean story that could travel. The film is rooted in the Shona roora ceremony, one of the most important cultural traditions in Zimbabwe.
“Too often, African stories presented internationally are framed through conflict, poverty or crisis. I wanted to show something different: a story that is unapologetically African in its setting and traditions, yet universally engaging through suspense, humour, family dynamics, and human relationships.
“By making the missing rusambo payment the central mystery, I wanted audiences to enter a cultural world they may never have experienced while recognising emotions they already understand: love, suspicion, betrayal, ambition, loyalty and the secrets that exist within every family,” she said.
Zivo said as both a Zimbabwean and a scholar of African politics, she has spent years thinking about how Africa is represented.
“This film became an opportunity to contribute to that conversation creatively rather than academically. Instead of writing another journal article, I wanted to invite audiences into Zimbabwe through cinema.
“On a personal level, Ru$ambo also represents the realisation of a lifelong dream.
“It is my directorial debut and a chance to demonstrate that Zimbabwean stories can be commercially entertaining, artistically ambitious and worthy of international audiences.
“I hope the film not only entertains, but also sparks curiosity about Zimbabwe, showcases the extraordinary talent of our cast and crew, and contributes in a small way to the growing global visibility of Zimbabwean cinema,” said Zivo. She said the film is currently on the international festival circuit and will be shown on the international stage.
“It will be shown in San Jose, California at the Silicon Valley African Film Festival; the Festival international du Film PanAfricain de Cannes in Cannes, France and the Bantu Film Festival in Gaborone, Botswana in October 2026. “However we are planning for a theatrical release in Harare later this year and are in talks with a few global online platforms.”
She added: “It feels surreal and intimidating at the same time. As someone who never went to film school or directed a short before, I feel like I still need to earn the recognition and respect of the industry. My hope is that audiences are entertained first and foremost. Beyond that, I hope Rusambo introduces people to Zimbabwean culture in a fresh way and shows that our stories can resonate with audiences anywhere in the world,” said Zivo.
The cast of the film includes Deborah Kabongo (Hanayashe), David Kanduna (Tomutenda), Benhilda Kandawasvika (VaTete Jesephene), Mapfumo Katsaya (Gavi), Collin Ncube (Munyuki), Talent Nyamayedenga (Nomsa), Stewart Sakarombe (Sabhuku), Everjoy Nyabasa (Sekai), Charity Dlodlo (Mama Tsungai), Hardlife Makuku (Village Thug ), Tafadzwa “Shugeta” Ben (Munyai), Pedzisayi Pedzisayi (Babamunini), Angela Zivo Gapa (The Boss) and Eddie Ndhlovu (Dr Ndhlovu).
