Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
THE government is courting Amakhosi Cultural Centre founder Cont Mhlanga to play a leading role in coaching Zimbabweans to produce content for the digitalisation programme.
The revered arts guru, regarded as the pioneer of arts in Zimbabwe, retired from an illustrious 36-year arts career last month to venture into agri-business at his rural home in Lupane.
Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Christopher Mushohwe, his deputy Sithokozile Mathuthu, Permanent Secretary George Charamba and some officials from the Ministry visited Mhlanga at his homestead last Friday to formally request him to train, especially youths, to venture into arts.
Mushohwe said the digitalisation process would have 12 new digital stations and would require enough content for broadcasting.
“We need content. TV will help build culture in the country and in Matabeleland North, you’re fortunate to have a world acclaimed artiste and producer like Cont Mhlanga.
“We passed by his homestead because we want him to help our people write dramas and other forms of art and he has agreed,” Minister Mushohwe said.
He also encouraged people to form associations so that they can start producing work to be shown on digital TV.
“People must form associations and approach the Ministry if they need financial help. There’re funds that will be disbursed through the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) and some equipment that has been sourced for use by local producers.
“Those who feel they’re talented should go and see Cont for guidance.”
The Minister said their aim was to develop the local arts industry in the same way Nollywood, Hollywood and Bollywood have developed.
He said the country would be able to rewrite through art, its history which was distorted by whites so that children get to know the true history of their fathers and ancestors.
“We want people to start income generating projects in art because we can’t depend on the Zambezi River for fishing anymore since climate change is affecting such activities.
“We want chiefs to support this initiative by mobilising people to start associations so that they can produce pieces of art.”
Chief Mabhikwa welcomed the move.
“The face of life in Lupane will change. We’ll definitely ensure that our people take up the opportunities that come along with the programme as we enjoy getting signal,” he said.
Mhlanga’s Amakhosi Arts Centre is already going digital after getting licences for stations, Skyz Metro FM, Amakhosi Digital and Breeze FM.
Mhlanga, who wrote more than 20 plays among them The Good President, The End, Sinjalo, Children on Fire, and Vikela, has three books to his name. He also adapted the popular play Stitsha to a TV series. It featured the late Beatar Mangethe.
Popularly referred to by many as “khulu”, Mhlanga made ZBCtv worth watching back in the day with his “Umkhulu Lomsebenzi” productions.
He also made Fridays interesting in Bulawayo as the cultural centre hosted a Friday Live at Amakhosi where live music bands would perform. Alick Macheso and the late Tongai Moyo are some of the artistes who performed there.
Among those who were nurtured by Mhlanga are Ba Shupi, Sandra Ndebele, Sarah Mpofu, Raisedon Baya and William Nyandoro.