Amakhosi calls for TV-series auditions

In a move that is seen a strategy of offering the film and theatre fraternity in Bulawayo an opportunity to participate and contribute to the development of a viable theatre industry, Amakhosi Cultural Centre has invited performing artistes in Bulawayo to audition for roles in its new television drama series "Nyaminyami".

The auditions which will be held at the centre from February 20-24 between 15 hours and 18 hours are for four leading roles of two males and two females and 16 supporting characters.

The shooting of the television drama series that takes over from "the very popular and award-winning Amakorokoza" will begin on March 19.

The television drama series, whose initial title was "The Beloved Country", is set in a fictitious country - the Republic of Nyaminyami - whose "painful journey to greatness" is marked by a host of challenges which include "greed, deception, corruption, political polarisation, inter- and intra-political party violence" a search for peace and tolerance.

In a brief synopsis of drama, Cont Mhlanga, the writer and director of the television drama series, states: "A dark cloud hangs over Nyaminyami Business College after Bruno in his second year, guns down 12 fellow students. The tension at home and in the society impacts on Bruno so much that he inherits this violent nature."

The cast to be auditioned includes the following four leading characters: "Bruno - self-driven and very outspoken young man in his mid-20s who is a business studies college student. Bruno is in love with Tolerance. He will protect her and go as far as avenge anyone who hurts her. He is a son of Chocolate, a prominent Police Chief of Springs.

"Tolerance - abeautiful, quiet and soft-spoken young woman in her early 20s. She is also a business studies student who grew up at a farm and is a sister to Theo who is an aggressive political activist. Tolerance hates violence but finds herself surrounded by it. She has ambitions of owning a hotel some day.

"Chocolate - a very politically ambitious woman who has dreams of becoming a minister of agriculture. She sits in the provincial executive of NDP and is married to the Provincial Chief Superintendent of Springs. The two are going through a rough marriage.

"Sinjonjo - a very angry man in his mid-30s who is a Member of Parliament as a member of TDP. He is a former rural entrepreneur at Katongo Rural District Council. He lost everything the time he lost his wife. His quest now is to find his wife's grave and to avenge her death. Sinjonjo, who has been reduced to a bus terminus vendor, has put together a group to fight in the next elections."

This open call for auditions for a television drama series is commendable. Often actors have claimed that directors of local television drama series cast major roles to family members, relatives and friends and that no auditions are held. Amakhosi have indicated that the full cast of "Nyaminyami" will be announced on February 27.

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