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Mbulelo Mpofu, Showbiz Reporter
PRESENT day filmmaking has many facets and one of them is adapting literature work into motion pictures.
Becky Casting and Films has taken it upon themselves to honour Queen Lozikeyi through the filming of a documentary.

In a statement, Becky Castings and Films public relations officer Mthabisi Tshuma articulated the importance of documenting the life of Queen Lozikeyi.

“Becky Castings and Films is continuing with its drive of preserving the country’s cultural heritage as it is working on producing a feature film that will honour the Queen of the Ndebele Tribe, Queen Lozikeyi. Such a production becomes the first visual act that will portray the life of a woman regarded as one of the most powerful in the history of this country,” said Tshuma.

Becky Castings and Films founder and director Bekezela “Becky” Dube underscored the importance of documenting the lives of influential people and said that the production is meant to ensure Queen Lozikeyi’s legacy lives on.

“For the first time as an arts organisation, we will be producing a feature film to honour the Queen of the Ndebele tribe, Queen Lozikeyi. This production will be shot next year at locations around Zimbabwe particularly Matabeleland South province.

“Scriptwriting is in progress and the film will seek to showcase a powerful and majestic woman whose story cannot be forgotten,” said Becky.

She thanked historian and author, Pathisa Nyathi and Marieke Faber Clarke for penning the book Lozikeyi Dlodlo: Queen of The Ndebele, “A very dangerous and intriguing woman” as this is where the script of the film will emanate from.

The feature film will be directed by veteran filmmaker Cont Mhlanga while Becky and Mike Moyo will be the executive producers. The head scriptwriter will be Bruce Karima who will be assisted by Zanele Mel Dube.
Auditions for the film are set to be held in the coming months in Bulawayo after scriptwriting has been finalised.

To attain wider viewership, Becky Castings and Films will engage with companies like Ster-Kinekor and Netflix once production has been completed. – @eMKlass_49