DStv hungry for Zimbabwe content

LOCAL artistes and music producers finally have a platform to penetrate the international music scene through DStv's Zambezi Magic which has created a music video Top 10 chart show for their content.

For years, artistes, especially those in the Southern Africa region, excluding South Africa, have failed to break through the international market as their efforts to get their content aired on music channels such Channel O, Trace, M-Net channels' and MTV Base have been fruitless.

Their content in most cases has either been ignored or deemed below standard and not worthy to be aired on those glorified channels which have carved careers for the likes of P Square, Tiwa Savage, AKA, Cassper Nyovest, Davido, D'Banj and Diamond Platnumz.

At a time when most sidelined artistes had lost hope, preferring to share their music on video sharing site - YouTube, M-Net - through its new home of local content from Southern Africa - Zambezi Magic - has come to the rescue.

The channel, which launched in July and seemed to be a replica of Mzansi Magic because of its bias towards South African content, is calling for music video submissions from Zimbabweans in preparation for its two music video shows. One show, Zim Top 10, will be dedicated to Zimbabwe music videos while the other, Zed Top 10 will be for Zambian tracks.

MultiChoice Zimbabwe public relations and publicity manager, Liz Dziva, said: "Zed Top 10 and Zim Top 10 will launch on the channel in October, proof that Zambezi Magic is staying true to its promise of providing the best in local Southern African content.

"The first music shows will be launched in October".

The channel, headed by a Zimbabwean, Addiel Dzinoreva, recently announced that two local current affairs programmes, Tonight with Zororo and Zambezi News had been allocated slots. They are still searching for relevant new titles that they can add to their developing content line-up.

"With music being a huge part of entertainment, Zambezi Magic is looking at beefing up its music offering by giving artistes and music producers an opportunity to showcase their craft and talent on the channel," Dziva said.

While the call for music videos is still on, local artistes such as Cindy Munyavi, Roki and Simba Tagz have guaranteed slots as their music videos were shown at a demo of the chart show during the DStv Media Content Showcase in Mauritius last weekend. Simba Tagz, with hit track Skubu, was number one on the Zim Top 10 chart show. Another song which was on rotation was Roki and Ex Q's Alleluja.

Dziva, who was in Mauritius for the showcase, said the chart shows would definitely put local content on the map through the engagement of viewers who would be required to vote for their favourite songs.

"Viewers will be required to vote for their favourite music videos via the Zambezi Magic Facebook page among other platforms. More information will be provided closer to the launch date," she said.

Dziva said those who had not yet submitted their videos could submit them at any MultiChoice office.

"Videos can be dropped off at any of the MultiChoice Zimbabwe offices. Artistes should ensure that they're registered with royalty collecting bodies such as Zimbabwe Music Rights Association, RISA and SAMRO for those based in South Africa."

Once in the Zambezi Magic system, locals' music videos will be able to penetrate bigger channels as content may be shared later, increasing the chances of having Zimbabwean music being recognised at international music video award shows.

It is still not clear whether the chart shows will be held daily or weekly.

Zambezi Magic is available to DStv Premium, DStv Compact and DStv Compact Plus subscribers in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi and Swaziland.