A few years ago, David Mubaiwa became a household name after featuring as Sabhuku Vharazipi in the hilarious comic drama Sabhuku Vharazipi.
BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA
Piracy, which inordinately spurred Sabhuku Vharazipi to fame, has, however, returned to haunt the Masvingo-based actor as he is failing to secure funds for the release of Sabhuku Vharazipi Part 3.
Mubaiwa told NewsDay yesterday that the drama was supposed to be on the market by end of April this year, but due to financial constraints, the project had been stalled.
“The drama series could have been on the market by now. We intended to release it by April end, but because we do not have money, we failed,” he said.
“All is ready, the discs are there, but we do not have money to pay for them. We have released short clips of the drama, which is a continuation of the previous two series.
“Currently we are running around and have gathered little. There is need for more money and as soon as we get it, the drama will hit the screens.”
He, however, did not reveal the amount needed for the release of the drama series.
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His manager, Wellington Chindara, who also features as the chairman in the drama series, said he was not prepared to release the figures.
Just like the previous series, Part 3 tells the story of Sabhuku Vharazipi, a corrupt headman who abuses his position to seek sexual favours from women in the village and gain political mileage. The comedy touches on a number of issues, among them corruption, hunger and the simplicity of village life.
Unlike musicians who supplement their acts with live performances, Mubaiwa has been depending on donor funding for his projects. The few live performances he had as an MC at private functions did not produce enough income to sustain the arts group.
In a vote of confidence in their work, Ziya Arts Drama Club in 2013 received $4 000 from Culture Fund Zimbabwe for the production of Sabhuku Vharazipi Part 2.
The same group received a whopping $10 000 from Zimpapers, which was used to launch Sabhuku Vharazipi Part 2.
Script writer David Dzatsunga and other members of the cast have reportedly left the group to form their own group which went on to produce a drama series titled VaMayaya — The Seed of Corruption.
Mubaiwa was born on October 2 1973 in the Shashe Resettlement area in Masvingo.
He did primary education at Rupiri before going to Masvingo Christian School for secondary education. Together with Chikonye, they formed Ziya Cultural Theatre Club in 1993.
So far, the club has released plays such as The Voice, Idler’s Corner, Streetwise and Nhamo’s Troubles. But all the other plays did not go viral until 2013 when Sabhuku Vharazipi Part 1 got on the streets and catapulted him to stardom.
