FILM

New comic skit “Pick hour paRank” released

LOCAL actors Tanazio Chikanyanga and Charles Kamara in collaboration with Mbare Arts Guild has released a comic-cum- educative skit, “Pick hour paRank” in a bid to curb theft in Mbare suburb and surrounding areas.

Valve in orange at a performance in Mbare

Chikanyanga said,that the skit is meant to raise awareness as well as educating the youth to desist from theft and engage in other alternatives to survive.

“Theft is not the solution to fulfill your desires, instead you should find something to do, unlike expecting manner from heaven. People must work hard for their upkeep disregarding some challenges we are facing everyday.”, Chikanyanga said.

He urged youth to live by their means, rather than living large on theft.

Shot in Mbare, at the rank, the 2-minute- skit captured how a young man played by Charles Kamara, who stole an envelope belonged to an old man (Tanazio Chikanyanga) in the eyes of a plain clothed policeman (Lemo Linje), who was also at the station waiting for commuters, ends up in trouble.

Hell broke loose when the police intervened, only for the old man to deny his envelope after shown a knife by the young man. Knowing what was inside his envelope and the presence of the policeman, the old man relaxed. The policeman tirelessly efforts exposed the contents of the envelope and realized that it was stashed with mbanje, leading to the arrest of the young man for being found in possession of mbanje.

Very short but conveyed a very rich message.

Kamara, who is fresh from another short film “The Pod”, a 60 Hour challenge film where he played the main role, said his wish is to use his artistic talent to communicate with the public.

“I work for the public and I like to be very close with it by keeping on producing a lot of films and dramas, so that they will learn one or two things from me. It’s a lesson to all the youths not to take advantage of the situation and harass elders stealing from them because they are armed somewhere somehow “, said Kamara

Valve and Paperbag  and an Actress from High Cover Arts 

Both Kamara and Chikanyanga are well known artistes with a number of productions on their credit, with the latter popularly known as Valve in ZTV-Valve sit –com, while Kamara is the brains behind a local drama ‘Love of Money”

Martin Matamba, the Co-Founder of Mbare Arts Guild, said the motive behind coming up with skits was to put Mbare on   a success map and nip all misconceptions about it in the bud.

“Mbare Arts Guild is growing up in terms of developing talent. Our long term goal is for Mbare to rise, purify and harness the artistic brilliance”, Matamba said.

He said the wave must not stop at producing skits but should exceed to short films, movies, series, documentaries, shows, exhibitions and Talk Shows. He said there is greatness in Mbare and the time has come for the artistes to realize their potential, all in the name of unity.

 “If Mbare artistes are not united or fight with the same vision, they won’t be any progress in arts matters” Matamba said.

source-Tsuro Ndisunge

LITERATURE

OUTSIDE THE GARDEN OF EDEN

COMING SOON

This collection of English Short stories which are mostly set in Zimbabwe ‘heats and beats’

with an unusual thematic weight or loaded-ness, a true source of inspiration for the reader.

The majority of writers are young, therefore adding a new voice or dimension to the literary

scene. You will spent a moment with a mother longing for love from her children, or a girl

child possessed by the spirit of her murdered uncle, or a cheating husband exposed, you will

be horrified by the crime and murder, the HIV and AIDS, the Christian craze about anointed

this ‘n that, and many plots are found in this collection to keep you edgy, thinking, laughing,

and crying…. 

Outside the garden of Eden cover

LIFESTYLE AND PEOPLE

The life and times of Mai Musodzi

LEGENDS are not made, but are born, their legacy lives forever and ever.

Mai Musodzi

 This best describes the life of the late Rhodesian feminist and social worker, Elizabeth Maria Ayema, popularly known as Mai Musodzi, who is also one of Zimbabwe’s 100 most influential women of all time.

Nearly six-and-a-half decades after her death, Mai Musodzi is still celebrated through the work she did for communities. A dance and music fiesta was held recently in Mbare by young artistes from the community to celebrate her work.

“Her life was excellent. She lived it for everyone to benefit out of a number of initiatives. She is sadly missed not only as my grandmother, but as a mother of the community, a women’s rights defender, a leader and a role model,” said 82-year-old Leonard Chabuka, her grandson, in a wide-ranging interview with NewsDay at their family home at 58 3rd Avenue in Mbare.

Chabuka, who is the renowned woman’s eldest grandson, said the home, formerly number 58 Cottage 3rd Street, was located a few metres from Edith Opperman Maternity Clinic, a medical facility which Mai Musodzi successfully lobbied for.

The clinic is located off Addbennie Road in which the Mai Musodzi Hall — which was named after her— is located.

Mai Musodzi Hall

 Chabuka, the third child of Mai Musodzi’s only daughter, Lucy Jessy Ayema, who was married to George Chabuka, is the sole survivor of the woman’s five children.

“I was 17 when Mai Musodzi died at the age of 67. By that time, I had travelled a long journey with her. Mai Musodzi was a human rights defender,” he recalled.

Although Mai Musodzi was allocated a cottage known as “Marriage Quarters” for wedded couples, she found it unfair for fellow women married to foreigners to stay away from their husbands.

She consequently challenged the system in a newly-established court, where Sergeant Vito of the Vito Tavern fame and after whom Vito Road in Mbare was named, was the prosecutor.

Chabuka said his grandmother acted as the defence lawyer, adding that the woman deserved more accolades than just a recreational hall named after her.

“You see, we are talking of a woman who escaped war and carried out all this good work. Apart from a hall, two roads in Mbare are named after her husband, Ayema Street, and her son, Francis Joseph Street,” Chabuka said.

Out of all the Musodzi sons — Luke, Moses, Francis and Raphel — Moses was different, according to Chabuka.

Moses was first a teacher and then became a journalist with African Newspapers. His interest in politics led him to the post of the first chairperson of the Harare branch of the African National Congress in 1957, alongside nationalists James Chikerema and Moses Nyandoro.

“Moses died without a child with his legally married wife Patricia Chatambudza, but some years later two women came to me claiming that their children belonged to Moses,” he said, adding that he helped them secure identity documents.

Francis, who was a teacher and an active member of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) as well as an elected member of the Native Advisory Board, left behind seven children, but only two have survived to this day. They currently live in South Africa and Saudi Arabia respectively. Raphael had seven children and only two, based in Canada and the United Kingdom, are still alive.

Chabuka recalled that there were efforts to set up a Mai Musodzi Trust, but they appeared to have suffered a stillbirth.

 “I remember a trust being set up, but somehow the operations were disrupted, so I’m saying if the seven of us (Ayema siblings) come together and form a Mai Musodzi Trust, we can start off from where our grandmother left,” he said.

He said there are a lot of people with an interest in the history of Mai Musodzi and as a family they feel honoured.

Chabuka said two books have been written about Mai Musodzi. One was written by the late Japanese professor, Tsuneo Yoshikuni, and published by his friend, David Harold Barry. It was later published by Weaver Press in Harare in conjunction with Silveira House in 2007. The other book, he said, was done by Lawrence Vambe, but was thin on detail.

“The publishing of these books really helps. It is good for the youngsters as well as the family members of this present generation,” Chabuka said.

He said as a family they were happy about the recent commemorations and specifically cited Harare High School pupils, who recited a poem about Mai Musodzi.

“Those students nailed it. I hope next year the event will be bigger and everyone will be invited,” he said.

Mai Musodzi was born Musodzi Chibhaga in 1885 under Chief Hwata in Mazowe, but was orphaned following the 1896-1897 uprisings against the British colonialists. A niece to the spirit medium Nehanda Nyakasikana, she was later baptised Elizabeth Maria at Chishawasha in 1908 and married a Zambian British South African Police sergeant, Frank Kashimbo Ayema, the following year.

After relocating to Mbare, then known as Harare Township, she became involved in community empowerment initiatives and charity work which benefited many women through an organisation she founded, Harare African Women’s Club, in 1938.

In 1947, she was awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) and was among guests invited to dine at the Government House with Queen Elizabeth I. She died on July 21, 1952 and was buried at Pioneer Cemetery in Mbare.

Source-Newsday

MOTIVATIONAL BOOKS

Marriage counselor pens two books

     By Tsuro Ndisunge

Peter Tagwirei

Marriage Counselor and Motivational Speaker Peter Charumbira Tagwirei has penned two books which are set to be launched on 7th of October at Mutare Youth Center in Mutare. The two books ‘Take Advantage of Summer’ and ‘It’s Possible’ are motivational books that speak volumes on life skills and how one can overcome issues affecting their growth and success.

Tagwirei told Tsuro Ndisunge that, his daily tasks of speaking to various people have sparked him to pen the books. “I am a motivational speaker first before I am an author. I have a passion for motivation. Naturally I have a passion to encourage people to achieve their potential and it’s my great joy to see people’s lives being changed for the better because of what I say and write”, said Tagwirei.

Tagwirei said his inspiration comes from the bible. ‘I read the bible, and the scriptures gives me strength to start writing, and the result was the birth of these two books, a project I think will help others too. I realized that I can write books after I read the books by Brian Tracy and Myles Munroe. Their books really inspired me.”, said Tagwirei.

In choosing Motivation ahead of fiction, Tagwirei said; “Several studies show that many people are doing jobs that they don’t like and those they are not wired to do and for that reason they don’t achieve their full potential.


Born on the 11th of May 1974 at Ndanga Hospital in Zaka district in Masvingo, Tagwirei passion for the pen started in 2015. Apart from being a Motivational speaker Tagwirei is also a Personal Development Coach who speaks at events, conferences, seminars and workshops in churches, schools and colleges.
Motivation is about encouraging people to do what they are talented to do.” Tagwirei said in this current situation, motivation plays a major role in settling people’s minds, hence a need to read more of motivational books. “We are living in very trying times; people are stressed and depressed because of the economic situation. In such a scenario, motivation is the way to go”, Tagwirei said.

 Will Tagwirei follow the footsteps of Speakers; Milton Kamwendo, Arthur Marara and Rabson Shumba…only time will tell.

Take Advantage of Summer cover

It's possible cover

        Tagwirei is currently working on his new book "Upgrade your Marriage.