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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
LOCAL drama Kukhulwa Kokuphela was prophetic as it predicted issues that affect people today before time, its executive producer, Felix “Silandulo” Moyo, has said. Vices such as corruption, infidelity, victimisation and the demise of the Zimbabwean dollar were some of the themes in the popular Ndebele drama. Kukhulwa Kokuphela, produced by Mthwakazi Actors and Writers Association (MAWA), was shot in Bulawayo from the late 70s and aired on Ztv for six seasons, ending in 2005.

Moyo, who played the sly Silandulo in the drama, spoke after receiving an award for the Outstanding Television drama during the inaugural Zimbabwe Film and Television Awards at the just ended Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF).

“If you look at my famous tag line kasikapule Donga, I could see economically that there were a lot of things happening within society and companies such as imbolisaluntu (corruption). All this was being mirrored by the drama and people have milked companies dry and there are hardships around and all of it is man-made,” said Moyo.

He said even external forces such as sanctions were also predicted in the drama. “The economic hardships being caused by external forces were called isandla esiloboya in the drama. True to that in Zimbabwe there were external influences that came to manipulate people to cause suffering,” said Moyo.

Turning to the accolade, Moyo said it was long overdue and was grateful to the ZIFF for recognising the local drama. “I always felt as we were producing that drama, if only we had some form of awards. This is because that effort deserved recognition and I’m happy that this has finally come through the Zimbabwe Film and Television Awards,” he said.

Moyo said he had heard the cries from fans to bring back the drama and it was close to hitting the television screens. “We’re very close to the comeback of the drama. Two weeks ago I met with someone who has camera equipment to set a date for shooting. However, I’m still busy with organising the Nust graduation which is next month. After that I’ll gather the cast and we’ll start shooting but the script is there,” he said.

Moyo said characters such as Silandulo’s sidekick Donga, previously played by the late Robert Mele, would be replaced. “The person will not be called Donga, but it’ll be a person who plays the role in Silandulo’s life. Characters like Silandulo need a decoy, someone to lean on, someone to pamper their ego,” he said.