10 - 16 March 2014 - The Observer
16 December 2013 - 10
08 March 2014 - 11
The General brings stand-up to Byo
Migrant labour film now out
he and fellow comedians have and National Arts Merit Award
realised so far, he admits that 2014 winner Simba the Comic King
the comedy industry is still far joined him on stage to celebrate the
he was first employed and his then wage of
Masimba Ngondonga
around five shillings.
from becoming a really profitable milestone.
The film poses debatable questions of
he art industry witnessed the birth
business in the country.
“The idea to establish uMahlekisa
of a new and unique film “Much to whether the Malawian people who migrated
He believes support from the Comedy Club came after I had been
the Land of Promise” which unveils to Zimbabwe and worked towards the
corporate sector and arts promoters invited to a number of comedy
the reasons behind Nyasaland people, now development of the current Zimbabwe
is key to the growth of the industry. shows in Harare. Over there some
Malawi migrating to Southern Rhodesia, should be compensated.
However, he has not had to face comedians got together and formed
Speaking to after the showcase Zengeya
now Zimbabwe and clearly outlines the
these challenges alone as there are Simuka Comedy and I noticed the
said his inspiration came from childhood
socio and economic implications associated
stories about Malawian people that later
with the movement.
other comedians who emerged industry that side while in Bulawayo
It was showcased at the First Floor Art developed into this new film.
around the same time as him whom it was only me and Clive (Chigubu)
“The stories that I used to hear as a child
Gallery recently.
he has partnered with to drive the who seemed to be pushing comedy.
Written and directed by Cosmo Itayi about the Malawian people always crossed
industry forward.
“So I decided to set up a platform
Zengeya, the film fuses live interviews of my mind and this has made me develop a
Comedians like Clive Chigubu, that will accelerate the growth of
different historians and experts both from keen interest to see its reality and bring out
Doc Vikela, Simba the Comic King, stand-up comedy in Bulawayo,” says
Malawi and Zimbabwe together with fact the bigger picture of the Malawian people,”
Comrade Fasto and Carl Joshua Moyo.
files which drive every viewer to look into he said.
Meanwhile, an exhibition inspired by
retrospect and raises childhood memories
Ncube among others have emerged
His idea has started bearing
to those who have ever had of the Malawian popular songs dubbed ‘From Sound to
and popularised the genre, which some fruit with the emergence of
Form’ was recently held at the Gallery Delta.
history.
was dying a natural death.
comedians like Chichi Tate, Makina,
It boasted notable artists such as Misheck
The film distinguishes itself from
The General, as Ntando is now Keith, H.O, Zwexy