Studio 263 eyes tourism market

Anne Nhira

ZIMBABWE’S longest running soap opera, Studio 263, is negotiating with the original cast to regroup and shoot 30 episodes to promote the country’s tourist destinations. This is in preparation for the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly that will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The soap opera, which became one of most popular television programmes in the country, will start the shoot on the tourism project in a couple of weeks’ time.

The thrust will be to define and promote the country’s resort areas. The brains behind the soapie, Stephen Chigorimbo, promised a top-drawer showing in the upcoming episodes. “Instead of focusing on old themes like HIV and Aids and cancer, we have decided to dwell on another storyline. “We have also come to the realisation that family values are important in our country and want to focus on that too,” said Chigorimbo.

Chigorimbo said he was currently working with Godwin Mawuru, who has been actively involved in the soap since its birth. “We are working with Mawuru towards revitalising Studio 263 and planning to employ the services of the original cast and we have since begun engaging them (the original cast) in order to keep the flavour of the soapie,” he said. He said they have since engaged three of the original cast of Studio 263.

“At the moment negotiations are still delicate because some of them are still considering the offer. “We have reached a deal with three of them but I cannot reveal their names at the moment. Most of them are willing to come on board,” he said. In addition, negotiations with sponsors have yielded some positive results and this process will take about two weeks. “We will start shooting as soon as we have worked on the re-engagement of the original cast, sponsorship and the storyline,” he added.

John Huni and his controversial wife, Mai Huni, together with the ever-smiling Shereni are among the characters whose storyline has been retained. Studio 263’s original cast included the likes of filmmaker and actor Ben Mahaka (Tom Mbambo), Tinopona Katsande (Joyce), Pretty Xaba (Mai Muwengwa), Denzel Burutsa (Jabu), Charmaine Mangwende (Mai Huni), Ben Sibenke (Mr Shereni), Chipo Bizure (Eve), Anne Nhira (Vimbai), Tatenda Mavetera (Tendai Jari), Joe Pike (Mr Huni) and Kizito Mawoko (Dread Welly).

It, however, remains to be seen how Chigorimbo plans on reuniting the original cast, since some of them are currently out of the country, others have quit acting, while a few are now into music and full-time film production. On the other hand, others like wordsmith Nevernay Chinyanga (Muwenga), and the original Mr Jari have since passed on. (Herald)