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Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
Rising stand-up comedian Doc Vikela’s hilarious skills are being put to test in an upcoming show – “Mini Buzz” – which will be screened on ZBC television.
MiniBuzz is produced by Made in Africa TV (MIATV) and has enjoyed great success locally on social media, especially the Ugandan edition featuring Annie Kansimbe.
The popular Ugandan edition is a skit-based comedy in which the principals take on different roles after a discussion of burning topical social issues.
MiniBuzz Zimbabwe, which begins to air next week, sees the comedian using his skills to break the ice and spark debate on topical issues among audiences who are passengers in their commuter omnibus.
The co presenters will complement each other with Lebohang Mojapelo taking on the more serious side and Doc Vikela doing what he knows best, bringing humour to the table. This will help them connect with the diverse audience.
“How the MiniBuzz show works is we approach random people at different bus stops and offer them a free ride into town. When they board the commuter omnibuses the two presenters bring up topics for discussion by the passengers.
“The fixed cameras or goPros in the bus capture the conversations and if need be, the presenters are there to stir things up,” he said.
A couple of “test shoots” have been made so far and the results have been impressive, according to the presenters.
Topics raised for discussion are mostly current affairs issues and to ensure the presenters are well informed, a team of researchers provides them with verified data.
“The programme aims to get people’s views on issues to do with health, cultural and everyday social issues.
“The commuter omnibus is usually the best place to get innocent and genuine views.
“While we want these views, there is also a segment where we screen an expert’s view on the matters as a way of educating passengers and viewers at home as well,” said Mojapelo.
The show’s director, Blessing Hungwe, said upcoming episodes will be exciting and fresh. He said this was because the MiniBuzz is also a mobile studio with state-of-the-art equipment that allows for immediate editing of the video clips.
“We have state-of the-art equipment in the MiniBuzz and this is going to allow us to shoot scenes every morning at 6:30, edit them in the afternoon and screen them on the same day at 6:30 in the evening. And with the motto: ‘Ngatisase’, we ensure that passengers get to air their views” he said.
As the show progresses, various episodes will also be filmed in different parts of the country to ensure a wider audience and also capture the views of people across the nation.
Other team members for MiniBuzz Zim include producer Andrew Melhuish, assistant Director Admire Kuzhangaira, researcher Hazvinei Mwanaka, editors Shame Katogo and Lucky Aaron.
Online Reporter