adminBrenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
Hard times have hit Ziya Trust, the drama group behind the popular “Sabhuku Vharazipi” comedy series, leaving their latest production “Sabhuku Vharazipi 3” in limbo.
Seven months after being recorded, the movie is yet to be released on the market with the camp citing financial difficulties that have led to the postponement on several occasions. Initially, “Sabhuku Vharazipi 3’s” release had been slated for March this year before being deferred to April then June according to their Facebook page.
“Yes, we set those dates but a sponsor who had promised to finance the production but unfortunately because times are hard he withdrew his pledge,” said a representative, Wellington “Chairman” Chindara, who also features in the sequel.
The actor said things are so hard that at one point, the cast had to come to Harare from their Masvingo base to “beg” for sponsorship from corporates but to no avail. He said they even tried their luck with national broadcaster ZBC but in the name of “protecting their brand” they could not reach a consensus.
“The problem is that many people think we made a lot of money from ‘Sabhuku Vharazipi 1 and 2’ but that is not the case. All we got from those productions was fame,” he said.
This is against a background of donations by well-wishers in appreciation of their artistry in the last few months. Publishing company Zimpapers donated $10 000 as part of its corporate social responsibility policy. Before that, arts and cultural organisation Culture Fund of Zimbabwe had donated $4 000 to their cause. In a previous interview with The Herald, a former crew member Edward Chombe, they also had also received an additional $3 000 from an unnamed sponsor.
What then was the basis for declaring they had not made a dime from the comedies, this reporter quizzed?
“We were affected by piracy!” he interjected. “We used that money to buy duplicators, printers and DVDs and we still have them to date. We also had other things like bills, registration fees and tax to pay. Let it be made clear that we operate a trust. We are not just a group of actors who run things haphazardly and those things cost money.”
This publication also has it on record that it was not long after the cash injections that the breakaway of main cast members Chairman, David Mubaiwa (Sabhuku Vharazipi) and Kumbirayi Chikonye (Mbuya Mai John), who is married to Chairman occurred.
The group is yet to prove their footing after an acrimonious split with Chombe and the trust’s director, David Dzatsunga. Chairman, however, said their house was in order and it was a matter of time before they produced another hit movie.
“We realised that it is better to delay the release of our new material and not compromise the production. However, we have 50 000 copies of our new movie that will arrive by sea in the next 30 to 45 days. The movie will be on the market maybe by end of July or mid-August,” he said. “They were made abroad to ensure they are durable and the content will be encrypted to curb piracy.”
Online Reporter