PRODUCERS of Zimbabwe’s popular high-definition soap opera, Wenera, almost pulled off air the blockbuster that has been showing on ZBC TV every Monday and Tuesday yesterday due to debts they are owed by the station before a last-minute deal was struck between the two parties to keep it showing.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
The soap’s executive producer, Eddie Ndhlovu, yesterday morning told NewsDay that the local broadcasters had not been paying for the soap opera as agreed.
This followed a Facebook post in which Ndhlovu told the soap’s viewers that they were shelving the screening of the film until ZBC had settled their arrears.
“This move to temporarily not screen Wenera has not come easy, but it is been a push by the cast and crew to receive their money on time, so that they are able to buy food and pay for shelter for their families. We sincerely apologise for this inconvenience,” he said.
“Our vision is to turn our local television station into something entertaining and we have been producing the show at a loss, as we have been hoping for a brighter day, but now the burden has become too much for us, having used production funds for long to put into production value.
“ZBC have not been paying us on time and the production is now expensive for us. We have called for numerous production meetings with the broadcaster to no avail. We made the studios with the money from the budget and the studio makeover is not on the budget. So, at the end of the day, we end up straining all the resources at our disposal.”
Although Ndhlovu was reluctant to disclose the amount they were owed by ZBC due to contractual agreements, sources said nothing had been paid for Wenera Season 3 and 4.
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Wenera tells the story of the Musodza family, which runs Wenera Diamonds firm, and how the family operates like a mafia, with jealousy, disloyalty and blackmail as a way of life.
Contacted for comment, ZBC chief executive officer, Patrick Mavhura said they had resolved the issue and the soap would continue on air.
“Quarterly, money might be a problem, but we have resolved the issue. I called him (Ndhlovu) and we talked about the matter and the soap will be airing,” he said. This was followed by a post on their Wenera Facebook page explaining that they had resolved their differences.
