LIMPOPO – The absence of Tsonga dramas on national television might become a thing of the past as a group of Xitsonga speakers in Malamulele have gotten together to cook up a drama story that aims to reach the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas).
According to director and script writer, Kenneth Mabunda, the play, whose name is being withheld to protect it from being copied before the end of production, is aimed directly at national television viewership.
“The first drama that we did, did not reach the required standard to be showcased on television because we did not use quality equipment to shoot it, but with the new drama we’re currently working on, we used hired equipment. Our aim is to have it aired on national television and consequently get selected and possibly win at the Saftas,” he says.
“We believe that if we can get the show to air on national television we will, by default, get selected for the Saftas because we do not have competitors in the category of Xitsonga movies.”
According to him, the drama is being acted in Xitsonga throughout its script, but supported with English subtitles in order to cater for those who do not speak the language. Mabunda says this is done to promote Xitsonga among the non-Xitsonga speaking people in the country.
“By adding English subtitles, we want to ensure everybody, even those who do not speak or understand Xitsonga, is able to follow the theme of the story and consequently begin to like the language,” he continued saying this would automatically promote and create an interest among the people who do not speak Xitsonga.
Meanwhile, shooting on the drama is said to be complete and it is currently being edited.
“If everything goes according to plan, the drama will be launched during the first week of August,” he says and appeals to the community of Malamulele and everyone, especially in Vhembe and Mopani districts to support the drama.
