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Although television programming is sub divided to cater for different age groups there are several programmes that bring together the whole family for viewing.
Such programmes include sport, soap operas, dramas and movies. Among the mentioned television programmes, soap operas top the list in prime time viewing as they broadcast in the evening when most family members would be at home after a long day at work, college or school.
Yes, the mention of the name soap operas rekindles memories of yester year soapies such as Santa Barbara, Dallas, Dynasty, Beverly Hills 702 and the ever famous Days of Our Lives.
The past two decades has seen a plethora of soapie production.
Some by now would be wondering what a soap opera is, the answer is simple, it is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming.
A soap opera is a serial narrative whose world is populated by mostly middle class characters.
All over the world, this class of people is not the majority in the population demography.
Soap operas tend to become so popular as they seem to have an addictive effect on millions of television viewers worldwide.
Popular soapies in today’s television viewing are Generations, Muvhango, Rhythm City, Scandal, Desperate House Wives and Isidingo. In fact the list is endless.
Sadly, all the mentioned soapies are foreign productions with none from Zimbabwe to write home about. The Zimbabwe film industry has, however, struggled to produce a soapie that runs for several years on the national broadcaster, Zimbabwe Television.
There are quite a number of television soapies that have been broadcast on ZTV, but they have all sunk into oblivion within a year or two due to lack of sponsorship.
The 2003 television season began with much fanfare as ZTV announced to the nation that a home grown soap opera, Studio 263 was going to be part of the menu.
Kabanana, from Zambia, Fragments, Amakorokoza and Small House Saga were among other soapies that followed after the screening of Studio 263.
Studio 263, arguably Zimbabwe’s longest soapie on ZTV, had its better days of glitz and glamour, before it was marred by a myriad of problems that include exodus of actors, poor quality production and subsequently it was taken off air due to lack of funds. It bounced back a couple of times with a whole bunch of new characters and losing its plot in the whole process.
During its better days it had a number of shining characters that include Ben Mahaka aka Tom Mbambo, Anne Nhira who starred as Vimbai, the high riding Arnold Chirisa better known as Detective Trevor Davies among others.
All the above mentioned could not stand the paltry income from the production and moved to greener pastures.
Following hard on the heels of Studio 263 was Bulawayo production Amakorokoza which had its fair share of screening on ZTV but after quite a number of seasons it went off air obviously for the same reasons as other local productions, lack of funding.
All these Zimbabwean soapies Studio 263, Amakorokoza and Small House had garnered a number of faithfuls, but sadly they had to resort to other television programmes after they were taken off air.
Saturday Leisure spoke to local producers who expressed their lack of confidence in the national broadcaster.
Rooftops director Daves Guzha said the main setbacks for local soapie productions was the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings.
“The issue of soapie production is a problem with our national broadcaster; they do not give local producers a workable package,” said Guzha.
He said the prevailing situation would continue for a long time until an independent television channel is introduced.
“The challenge is going to be there, until there is competition for local productions,” he said.
He also challenged independent producers to work hard and adequately finance their productions to suit international standards.
On the issue of foreign soapies broadcast on the recently launched television channel ZTV 2, Guzha said it was ironic that they could afford to buy foreign productions at the expense of home grown products.
“I am sure that they are paying for Scandal, Rhythm City and other soapies they are broadcasting which shows apathy for home grown products.
I have personally tried to engage them in dialogue with our local productions, but it seems they have turned a deaf ear to our pleas,” said Guzha.
Director of Amakhosi Cultural Centre Cont Mhlanga also concurred with Guzha that the national broadcaster was not doing enough to fund local productions.
“The problem we cannot have a long running soapie in this country is due to lack of funding, because soaps are mainly funded and run by the television channels.
“It is the channel that owns, funds and commissions independent producers for a successful running of the soapie, but now we are suffering because of the ‘disabled’ broadcasting industry,” said the arts guru.
Mhlanga who was also behind the production of Amakorokoza said competition was paramount for local productions to hit the big screen.
“It is high time that we have two or three channels for competition to attract more views as television channels would be competing to attract more viewers,” he said.
The producer of Studio 263 referred all questions to Head of Television Josephine Zulu who could not be reached for comment. The past few years saw the proliferation of satellite dishes which led more viewers to prefer foreign content to local.
Today the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is one of the most subscribed television stations in Africa due to a variety of programming with soapies that they show.
Generations is arguably one of the longest and most popular soapies that has stood the test of time and has amassed a huge viewership across the Limpopo and beyond, thanks to free to air channels.
However, there are several patriotic Zimbabweans who envisage watching a local soapie that promotes and uplifts Zimbabwean cultural practices.
Some of the people who spoke to Saturday Leisure said they were disappointed that at a time when they were enjoying a local production it would be scrapped without notice.
“The problem with local productions is that they just go off air without notice and it is very disappointing that is why we are left with no alternative but to resort to foreign channels,” said Moyo.
Another soapie enthusiast, Mkhululi Masuku said some of the foreign content had to be censored as it polluted behaviour and promoted cultural decadence.
It is a good idea that they are showing what is happening in today’s world, but it is the way it is portrayed that affects our children. We need our own Generations that would tackle issues in our culture and Zimbabwean lifestyle,” said Masuku.
Online Reporter