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SA actors in local film production

by Peter Matika
24 May 2015 at 10:33hrs | Views
Drop dead gorgeous and much adored South African actress Katlego Danke, well-known for her former role, as the coy, enigmatic Dineo in the running TV soapie - Generations, is scheduled to grace a preview of a local film production - Ziyanda in which she features.

The award winning South African actress, is scheduled to arrive in Bulawayo on Monday (25 May - Africa Day) for the exclusive preview of the production.

The production also features Rhythm City's Zintle Ncipha, who stars as Kamo in the South African drama series.

In an interview the organiser of the event Dumisani Nyongolo Nkomo, said Danke would arrive on the day of the event that would also see a fashion and cocktail party being held at a local up-market lodge.

"She will fly in on the day of the event. It will be an exclusive black tie event, where we anticipate hosting various business people and the who's who of the city. Ziyanda Film Association will on Africa Day preview its feature film titled Ziyanda, which is an exhilarating story of how two young female protagonists battle a vicious human trafficking syndicate and are united by a childhood bond to battle against a hostile world," he said.

Nkomo said the event would be an exclusive red carpet event, which would give invited guests the opportunity to meet and mingle with the South African TV star.

"The promotional trailer is not the official movie trailer for Ziyanda but a glimpse into how the movie will look like based on a test run of the shooting of about eight scenes in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The movie features top South African stars, Katlego Danke and Zintle Ncipha. It also features Zimbabwe-born Luthuli Dlamini who has acted in Generations and Scandal.

"The cast will also include top Zimbabwean television personality Nyasha Mtamangira, celebrated gospel artiste Pastor G (Stanley Gwanzura), talented Djembe Monks music producer Ndumiso Tshuma (Sir Black Cee), as well as emerging actresses Phylis Mlingwa, Amanda Huni, Fortune Mguni among a galaxy of young, passionate and talented Zimbabwean actors," he said.

The movie was written and produced by Nkomo, who is the chief executive officer of Habakkuk Trust, a noted newspaper columnist and arts architect who has founded three arts groups in the last two decades.

South Africa-based Zimbabwean film director and producer Thando Sibanda directed the movie.

"The Ziyanda launch will be spiced by a cocktail to be graced by captains of industry, civic leaders, socialites and celebrities with soothing music from Djembe Monks and the spectacular Family Voices.

"A fashion show dubbed Runway to Freedom will light up the bright Bulawayo evening stars as a bevy of beauties and the Ziyanda cast members strut their stuff, while exhibiting creative local designs. Ziyanda will also be showcasing couture from its label, which includes trendy sweaters and T-shirts among much other clothing apparel," he said.

Nkomo said the fashion show would be unique, as it would not only highlight the aesthetic dimension of the beauty of clothing lines and labels but more particularly impart information about the plight of human trafficking victims.

"Their plight will be creatively communicated through the fashion show. Danke, Ncipha, Sibanda and the rest of the cast will mingle freely with guests, after the presentations," he said.

Nkomo added that the primary objective of the cocktail was to market the film as an investment and partnership opportunity for the corporate sector.

"This is an opportunity for Bulawayo to support the greatest film venture potentially to emerge from Bulawayo and Zimbabwe in years. The film is expected to hit international film festivals next year. It will be officially launched mid-2016," he added.

He said the collaboration with big names in the South African film industry marked the beginning of big things to come in the local film industry.

The Zimbabwean film industry has not grown much not because there is no talent but because there are no organised channels of film support. This has seen a lot of talented artistes relocating to other countries where they felt their talents were much more appreciated and better rewarded.


Source - sundaynews