Melinda Kusemachibi
Just a week after winning the 2021 International Red Cross Humanitarian National Moot Competition, Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) hogged the limelight once again after one of its films titled Umshado Wethu was voted the best film at the inaugural edition of the Varsity Film Expo which ran from 6-11 Dec launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Bulawayo.
The event was done in partnership with the Film and Television Resources led by Kwanele Hlabangana and Kudzai Chikomo in conjunction with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education.
Vice Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo described GZU’s latest achievement as overwhelming and a testimony to the transformative work and leadership role that GZU is taking in higher education in Zimbabwe.
“I am simply overwhelmed and speechless. These awards are a testimony to the transformative work and leadership role that GZU is taking in Higher education in Zimbabwe. I can congratulate staff, students and leaders of this amazing institution for always leading with never ending humility,” said Prof Zvobgo.
The film written and directed by award winning film and television practitioner, Charles Munganasa and produced by Julia Yule and Shadreck Dzingayi is about the marriage of Robert and Nakai that comes under siege as both cannot cope up with each other’s aspirations.
The three teamed up with students who made up the entire cast and crew.
This is the second film to be produced by GZU after another successful production titled ‘Solo na Mutsai’ in 2016.
More than 10 colleges showcased their productions with Great Zimbabwe University, National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and Midlands State University( MSU) occupying the top three posts respectively.
Speaking at the event President Emmerson Mnangagwa was quoted urging film practitioners to be patriotic and use their talents to tell the true Zimbabwean story, after which he castigated those who are using their skills to diminish the country’s image.
