Bulawayo is fast becoming the hub of artistic excellence, amid revelations that several artistes from Harare have been trekking down to the City of Kings to audition for theatrical productions. For some of the actors, their sojourn to Bulawayo turned out to be a fruitful venture, others returned to Harare empty-handed, while some are still camping in the city in anticipation of more opportunities.

Several theatrical productions in Bulawayo are working on soon be premiered plays.

Production houses in Bulawayo that include Amakhosi and Raisedon Baya’s Intwasa Arts Festival have been carrying out auditions for new plays and have received overwhelming responses from seasoned actors throughout Zimbabwe.

Amakhosi’s call for actors in two of its productions “Inyelani” and “Nyaminyami” received a good response from seasoned actors, most of whom where from Harare.

Although most of them did not make the grade in the two productions, two of them — seasoned theatre guru, Daves Guzha and Getrude Munemo — sailed through the auditions.

In a telephone interview, Amakhosi director Cont Mhlanga confirmed that several artistes from Harare attended the auditions, because of opportunities that are currently available in Bulawayo.

“It’s the first time to have artistes coming here to audition. Remember artistes earn their living from taking part in productions, so when they come all the way to Bulawayo, they are simply looking for opportunities.

“That development should not be misconstrued to mean anything other than what it is.

“As Amakhosi, we are happy, of course, that we have been able to create opportunities and rejuvenate the industry,” he said

Turning to the two actors, Cont said roles for the two were quite demanding and needed artistes who were experienced and possessed the competitive edge to go an extra mile.

Guzha landed the role of Spring, in the TV series “Nyaminyami”.

Spring is a powerful police superintendent for the fictitious Katongo province, while Munemo will take up the role of an influential young woman in this political satire.

Although Munemo is still new in the industry, Guzha needs no introduction. He is an internationally claimed actor and producer, who has been in the arts sector for more than 20 years.