Zimpapers Logo

Simbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
LOCAL comedy series Zambezi News TV is set to launch its second season at the Rainbow Cinema in Bulawayo on August 2.
Punchy, hilarious and cheeky to the core, Zambezi News looks at the lighter side of broadcasting through the eyes of its fearless team headed by Mandape Mandape (Tongai Makawa aka Outspoken), the robotically well-spoken Jerome Weathers (Samm Monro aka Comrade Fatso) and the not so fortunate Kudzaishe Mushayahembe (Michael Kudakwashe).

The satirical show is produced by Comrade Fatso and poet-cum-comedian Outspoken, featuring comical news presenters, Kudakwashe and actress Chipo Chikara.

The humorous series, which is a product of Magamba Network – Shoko Festival organisers – has eight 20-30 minute long episodes which delve into issues such as democracy, elections, race, corruption, sexism, arts and gender issues.

The production’s media liaison officer, Tafadzwa Sharaunga, said the comedy was returning to Bulawayo for the second time after a successful launch held in the city in 2012. Comedians Clive Chigubu, Nomsa Diana and Marshal Erlando, among others are billed to perform at the Season 2 launch.

Sharaunga said they were now in the process of shooting the third season, which they expect to be complete before the year ends.

The comedy’s Season 2 series will be screened during the Shoko Festival which runs from September 25 to 28 in Harare.  The series’ first season was screened on First TV and was distributed around the country and online, hitting an estimated 6 million viewers. Alongside the success of the series have been numerous live shows at festivals in Zimbabwe, Sweden, Swaziland and South Africa at the renowned SA Comic’s Choice Awards.