‘Vharazipi’ cast on national tour

Problem Masau Arts Correspondent
“SABHUKU VHARAZIPI 2” cast are set to go on a countrywide tour to promote their new DVD in an effort to discourage fans from buying pirated copies. The cast will stage live shows and sell DVDs to audiences in all major cities and town in Zimbabwe. The group, which is based in Masvingo, is already in Harare for shows.

David Mubayiwa, the lead character in the drama who stars as Sabhuku Vharazipi, said piracy has forced them to embark on the countrywide tour.

“Due to the huge demand for our product, we are going to stage shows in all the provinces in the country. Our fans want to meet us. We would be meeting them and at the same time promoting our work,” he said.
“We no longer have any option. We have to do it ourselves. I think this a good way to beat pirates,” Mubayiwa said.

Last week, two Chitungwiza men were convicted of pirating and selling copies of the drama “Sabhuku Vharazipi 2” long before its official release.

Daniel Maramba (41) and Christine Nemakonde (24), both of Chitungwiza, on Friday pleaded guilty to contravening Section 59 of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe.

The pair will be jailed for six months if they fail to pay a US$300 fine each.
The court heard that on November 6 this year at around 6pm, the actor popularly known as Sabhuku Vharazipi, David Mubaiwa, together with Wellington Chindara who acts as chairman in the drama, came across Maramba selling pirated copies of the DVD for US0,50 cents each.

The duo is said to have effected a citizen’s arrest on Maramba. Prosecutor Francisca Mukumburi told the court that while on their way to Harare Central Police Station, Mubaiwa and Chindara saw Nemakonde also selling pirated copies of the popular drama.

The popular drama has taken the film sector by storm.
The comedy revolves around the character Sabhuku Vharazipi, a corrupt headman who manipulates the distribution of food and other inputs in his area in an attempt to get what he wants, including women.

He uses his position and intimidates women before he asks for sexual favours.
“Sabhuku Vharazipi” also uses his position for political mileage to enrich himself and his family.

He is the door to the village and anyone, either a politician or otherwise, has to pass through him.
The headman approves every activity in the village and in the process he calls the shots.

The play is a socio-political comedy touching on several issues like corruption, politics of the stomach, headman’s position in the village and life in the village.

The title of the comedy is metaphorical for one who is left exposed.
Mubayiwa said they came up with the name after realising that headmen were respected in their communities to the extent that being exposed was the height of embarrassment. The story starts slowly but then develops into a complex narrative of village life and the politics of survival.