In a move that is seen a strategy of offering the film and theatre fraternity in Bulawayo an opportunity to participate and contribute to the development of a viable theatre industry, Amakhosi Cultural Centre has invited performing artistes in Bulawayo to audition for roles in its new television drama series "Nyaminyami".

The auditions which will be held at the centre from February 20-24 between 15 hours and 18 hours are for four leading roles of two males and two females and 16 supporting characters.

The shooting of the television drama series that takes over from "the very popular and award-winning Amakorokoza" will begin on March 19.

The television drama series, whose initial title was "The Beloved Country", is set in a fictitious country - the Republic of Nyaminyami - whose "painful journey to greatness" is marked by a host of challenges which include "greed, deception, corruption, political polarisation, inter- and intra-political party violence" a search for peace and tolerance.

In a brief synopsis of drama, Cont Mhlanga, the writer and director of the television drama series, states: "A dark cloud hangs over Nyaminyami Business College after Bruno in his second year, guns down 12 fellow students. The tension at home and in the society impacts on Bruno so much that he inherits this violent nature."

The cast to be auditioned includes the following four leading characters: "Bruno - self-driven and very outspoken young man in his mid-20s who is a business studies college student. Bruno is in love with Tolerance. He will protect her and go as far as avenge anyone who hurts her. He is a son of Chocolate, a prominent Police Chief of Springs.

"Tolerance - abeautiful, quiet and soft-spoken young woman in her early 20s. She is also a business studies student who grew up at a farm and is a sister to Theo who is an aggressive political activist. Tolerance hates violence but finds herself surrounded by it. She has ambitions of owning a hotel some day.

"Chocolate - a very politically ambitious woman who has dreams of becoming a minister of agriculture. She sits in the provincial executive of NDP and is married to the Provincial Chief Superintendent of Springs. The two are going through a rough marriage.

"Sinjonjo - a very angry man in his mid-30s who is a Member of Parliament as a member of TDP. He is a former rural entrepreneur at Katongo Rural District Council. He lost everything the time he lost his wife. His quest now is to find his wife's grave and to avenge her death. Sinjonjo, who has been reduced to a bus terminus vendor, has put together a group to fight in the next elections."

This open call for auditions for a television drama series is commendable. Often actors have claimed that directors of local television drama series cast major roles to family members, relatives and friends and that no auditions are held. Amakhosi have indicated that the full cast of "Nyaminyami" will be announced on February 27.

Chipawo began its 2012 theatre season by participating in the Malawi Children's Musical Arts Festival held from January 20-22 in Lilongwe, where its 10-member group performed "Beautiful Zimbabwe" a musical about Zimbawe, her people and culture. The Chipawo group comprised children from its centres at Tynwald Primary School, St Michael's Saturday Centre in Mbare, Marlborough Primary School, Rusungunguko School in Mufakose, SOS Bindura Centre and members of the Harare Junior Theatre. Participating in the festival were Kasama Theatre Group from Zambia, Malawi Music Crossroads, and groups from six schools in Malawi.

Chipawo Media, which was part of delegation to the festival, has produced a short documentary on the festival which will be featured on Chipawo's television programme "Ndeipigen'a" which is aired on Zimbabwe Television every Monday at 16.30 hours.

Chipawo has also announced its two one-day festivals in February and March. The first one-day festival is a drama festival feature plays in different languages performed by children from its centres in Bindura, Norton, Chitungwiza and Harare.

The festival, which is held to commemorate the International Mother Languages Day on February 21, will be held at the Zimbabwe College of Music. Chipawo hopes to attract the participation of children of staff at different embassies in Harare who will be expected to talk about their mother languages as well as present short speeches in these languages.

Chipawo's second one-day festival is the Chipawo Theatre Day that will be held to commemorate the International Day for the Theatre for Children and Young People which is held on March 20 the world over.