The ManicaPost
Freedom Mutanda Post Correspondent
DONALD Mazwati, the young man who made headlines for making a drone in Chipinge last year has done it again!
This time, he is mentoring primary school pupils to produce television shows under the direction of Visual Audio Centre for Arts Initiates (VACAI), a voluntary organization, which intends to produce short films, full length movies and talk shows that will appear on television showcasing the talent of students.
VACAI director and producer, Elvis Nyanhongo said the programme had started well and the boys and girls were appreciating the mentorship initiatives that the organisation was spearheading.
‘’As an organisation, we are happy that students have taken the concept of mentorship seriously judging by the punctuality and serious mindedness that we witness on rehearsal days,’’ he said.
Because of Zim Digital training, most of the mentors are qualified for their mentoring job. Chipinge had been lagging behind other towns in terms participating in the film and television industry but with Ben Mahaka and Elvis Nyanhongo involved, there is optimism that the industry is poised for growth and employment creation would be the main achievement.
Donald Mazwati is an inspiration for many young people and his drifting into the mentorship programme is a big boost to his innovative skills.
He is however not the only mentor as there are the likes of Tapiwa Tamirepi who mentors the cast, props, costume and make up personnel, Basil Manyumwa who is responsible for the cinematography division and Bony Siduna who mentors script writers. ‘’We have started the programme well and children are writing the educational stories themselves after being mentored. We have finished a short film on abuse and it is the work of the young guys. We however, appeal for help as we seek to spread our wings. VACAI literally means ‘vakai’ (build) Chipinge through the arts. Our aim is to air out our challenges in the competition as well as seek partners especially Government, as we feel ours is a life changing innovation,’’ Stephen Ephraem, one of the mentors, said.
No dates for the competitions have been set yet but Mr Elvis Nyanhongo said plans were at an advanced stage to host the competitions.
‘’We are tying up loose ends and we expect the competitions to be held in the next two weeks,’’ Mr Nyanhongo said.
