NAMA award nominee writer and director Charles Munganasa’s long-awaited film is set to be launched on Friday 29 April.

Produced by Nelned Pictures, a film house which has produced numerous films, VaMayaya Nhaka Ndeyani? will be launched at Charles Austin Theatre in the city centre. The film is also marketed and distributed by P and P Global Marketing. Tickets will be available at Charles Austin Theatre at $2 and VIP $5.

The unveiling of the much-anticipated film will also be accompanied by the launch of singles by Masvingo’s award winning  and NAMA award nominee musician Tinashe Nhukarume, also known as Nash.

“The story is a satire which indirectly mirrors critical issues to do with inheritance in the society. It uses comedy to bring into perspective serious issues such as factionalism for national consideration,” said Munganasa in an interview with TellZim News. 

This film is brought to life by a galaxy of versatile actors and actresses. Leading the pack is Denis Rusoso who plays the character of VaMayaya. Rusoso is a veteran actor who rose to fame after only appearing for seven minutes in a role in Sabhuku Vharazipi where he featured as Officer Mayaya. Complimenting Rusoso is Ngonie Chinovava who plays the role of Muzukuru and Rosemary Zivanai who plays the role Jacob’s wife Lillian. The film also features some prominent actors and personalities such as popular Zim dancehall singer Ras Caleb, Uncle Jaunda, Tinashe Nhukarume and NAMA award winner Nash Mpepo. 

“In a bid to groom new talent, the film also introduces new actors such as Takudzwa Ponde who plays the role of Obama, an uptown boy who accidentally ends up in the centre of the family chaos, as well as Florenco Masekesa who plays the role of the Funeral planner. Takudzwa and Florenco bring out a new feel which complements veteran actors such as Courage Murambadare who features as Jacob Mayaya,” added Munganasa.

The film is self funded in a bid to promote artistic expression and originality. The producer of the film, Mr Sydney Taivavashe, “Sometimes sponsors make unnecessary demands which limit the writer or director’s artistic imagination. For example the sponsor might push to have certain themes or issues included in the storyline,” said the producer Sydney Taivavashe.news

Zimbabwe Assemblies of God (ZAOGA) Bishop and founder of Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University (ZEGU), Apostle Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti is set to visit Chiredzi for the first time in 16 years, TellZim News is reliably informed.

The accomplished Bishop last visited the sleepy lowveld town in 2000 though his wife, Apostle Eunor Guti made another visit in 2005.

Overseer Clemence Manyono confirmed the visit, saying Apostle Guti will grace Chiredzi together with his wife.

“The Apostles will grace Chiredzi on the first of May though we are expecting them earlier for the annual Deeper Life with all congregants before the Big Sunday which they will attend,” said Manyono.

“We are again ready to host the servant and apostle of God after such a long time of waiting. Now that he is coming together with mama, we are so happy and confident that Chiredzi will be power-packed,” he said.

Some ZAOGA congregants who spoke to TellZim News told this publication that Bishop Guti’s visit means a lot to them.

“We are really waiting for baba Guti and it’s an honour to have him here. We believe God is going to transform our lives through the servant and the apostle whom the Lord has consistently used to touch lives wherever he has been. I remember in the nineties when he prayed for the restoration of health. We saw genuine miracles happening,” said one church member.

“I remember when he came to Tshovani Stadium during the nineties. A lot of miracles happened, leaving the blind seeing, the lame walking and the deaf hearing,” said Christian Matsveru, another ZAOGA congregant.

The town’s Tshovani stadium is expected to be filled to the brim during the ‘mega’ big Sunday where Bishop Guti is expected to deliver a sermon.news

The Salvation Army church will be holding its 2016 annual youth congress at Mucheke High School beginning Thursday April 28 up to the May 1.

The church, which is celebrating 125 years of existence in Zimbabwe this year, has organised a number of activities from all corps in the Masvingo Division.

Major Luckson Chimbalanga, the Territorial Social and Medical Services Secretary will be the guest speaker.

Captain Leonard Bhafu, of the Mucheke Corps, told TellZim News that such events are held for spiritual deliverance, to teach the youth about the Bible and to help them live principled lives. 

“The event is a call for a positive existence in an evil and uncaring world,” said Captain Bhafu. 

He added that the focus will be on the future of the youth with lessons about living a Godly life, right channels to marriage and many other topics that affects today’s youths such as peer pressure.

Major Isaac Mhembere, the Divisional Commander of Masvingo urged all those who might be interested in joining the church services to be disciplined and not to come to cause confusion.

Social sporting activities will be held during the congress.news

The Director of Nyaningwe Supermarkets, Setfree Mapuvire made a surprise gift to the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) soccer lovers when he dedicated US$15 000 towards this year’s tournament which was held in Gokwe recently.

Tournament organiser David Masomere said he was amazed by the commitment shown by the Mapuvire family towards the growth of sport and uniting people in the church through soccer.

“The technical department and everybody else are amazed by this act of generosity from the Mapuvire family. Over the years, the family has been consistent in its support for evangelism through sport and it seems there is always something for us from them,” said Masomere. 

Masomere revealed that the latest gesture brings Mapuvire’s total contribution towards the tournament to a whopping US$60 000.

“In these economically challenging times when bigger national tournaments are facing problems, you are at loss of words when somebody displays such kind of goodwill,” added Masomere.

He said his team is now geared for the Gungano Guru knock out tournament to be held at different venues on May 21 and 22.

“The knock out round has 24 teams that will battle it out in the finals to be held in Masvingo. The draw is set for 8 May in Seke.

“In the finals, the church decided to include students from Henry Murray School of the Deaf and Capota School of the Blind to participate as curtain raisers.

“Our aim is to promote inclusivity in the country by demonstrating that disability is not inability,” Masomere said.sport

Gutu Ward 21 councillor, Jephas Mutizwa has fired a voluntary social worker for allegedly donating a goat that was slaughtered at a Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) rally held at Dewure Township in February this year.

Silence Motowenyoka, who has been working with the Ministry of Social Welfare as a child care volunteer for about two years, was fired from work a week after the rally was held.

“I was shocked to see Mutizwa at my home telling me to return the phone and the bicycle I received from UNICEF because I was no longer needed by the community. When I asked the reason, he told me that Ward Development Officers were complaining that they were having difficulties working with me. 

“He also accused me of selling out saying I had donated a goat to the MDC-T. I was hurt because I never contributed anything at the rally. I do not own any goats,” said Motowenyoka.

Motowenyoka also said the grudge started when he refused to add Mutizwa’s predecessor and businessman at Dewure Township, Obert Tagutanazvo on the Social Welfare’s list of beneficiaries of maize meal.

“He gave me a number of business people and pensioners to include on the ward’s list of needy people and when I refused, he told me that I was a sell out and would be fired,” added Motowenyoka.

When conducted for comment, Mutizwa denied the allegations saying Motowenyoka was dismissed for failing to cooperate with other community development volunteers. 

“I dismissed him because he was not conducting the food distributions well. The community did not need his services any more. In fact, he used to corruptly put his own name on the list of beneficiaries and he also wanted to be paid for voluntary work,” said Mutizwa.

Social workers fall under the Social Welfare ministry, and not under the rural district council, and it remains unclear if a councillor has any right to dismiss a social worker.

Though no official comment could be obtained from the ministry, an inside source told TellZim News that there was a letter written by the councillor explaining why the child care worker was to be fired.news