Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
A NEW locally produced film, Sizolobola, is set to premiere at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Saturday, with its creators hoping it will spark conversations around unity beyond language, ethnicity and political differences.
The film, a concept by Mothusi Bashimane Ndlovu, popularly known as Madlela Skhobokhobo, was written by Emmanuel Matsinye and produced by AFRICIN. Following its premiere, Sizolobola will be available on AFRICIN’s streaming platforms.
Shot in and around Bulawayo and Seke district, Mashonaland East, the production boasts a star-studded cast featuring legendary actress Jesesi Mungoshi, best known for her lead role in the 1991 film Neria, among other films. She was married to the late renowned author Charles Mungoshi. It also features popular socialite and actress Madam Boss (Tyra Chikocho), Exult Ncube, Charles Muzembi, social media sensation Sipho Mercent Nyathi, award-winning poet and actress Sithandazile Dube, and versatile artiste Madlela Skhobokhobo.
The technical team includes Praise Zizo Nkala as director of photography, Jerald on sound, while the film was edited by Zizo and Joe Njangu.
Speaking ahead of the premiere, Madlela Skhobokhobo said the film uses a love story to promote reconciliation and national unity, a vision that also influenced the casting process.
“Sizolobola is a love story that brings a lot of past events from the two ethnic groups, Ndebele and Shona. We have these two young people who are madly in love and want to marry, but history seems to keep them apart. But at the end, love prevails. It’s a story that calls upon unity to prevail,” he said.
On the casting process, Madlela Skhobokhobo said the team held open auditions to ensure the strongest talent was selected.
“We called for auditions and chose the best. We wanted people from across tribes to unite because no matter how much we feel apart, the fact that our skin is the same and we share the same country is reason enough to unite.”
While technology and social media have made communication easier, Madlela Skhobokhobo said they have also amplified divisions among people, making it more important for artists to use their platforms to promote understanding.
“I looked at social media and saw how people attack each other and realised we might have a problem. They may have their own reasons, but we cannot leave our children with a legacy that does not build the nation.
“I realised there are divisions among us, and it is our responsibility as artists to remind people that despite our differences, we are one people.”
He expressed hope that Sizolobola will not only entertain audiences, but also encourage dialogue on healing historical divisions and embracing the shared identity that binds Zimbabweans together.
