LOBOLA MOVIE PREMIERE. THE .R. ACCOUNT!

25.11.10

Diamond Boy-  .R.

I arrived at 7 Arts @ approximately 18.15 and had to power walk to the entrance thinking I was late. Walking up the stairs I couldn’t help but feel under dressed. But then again I was ROCKING that wanna be/aspiring bald journalist/photographer avec those big,nerdy glasses so YES I stood out from the crowd. 

Some of the ladies from audience- .R.

People went all out....ok well… some of them! 4rm Six inch stiletto heels, manicured nails, hair.dot com/red rose/mu lounge weaves and braids to the chilled basic tee and denims the turnout was pretty hectic. I mean hey, some people even had to sit on the stairs. Initially the premier was supposed to start at 18.00 (clears throat) but in true BMT (Black Man’s TIME)  fashion the show did not officially start till after about just over an hour. *smh*- inizvanguini (oh my garde).

So while we waited for the show to begin I met the legendary Mr. “Zvazviri”- Tich Mataz who not only was a member of the Lobola cast but also the Master of Ceremonies. I swear this man does not age. He looks just as good as he did during his reign on the Coca-Cola Music beat. So anyway, commenting on the premiere, the movie and the turnout, Mataz says- “[It’s good to see events like this coming up, its good for the industry and Zimbabwe].”- He was looking sharp too…. Eish… moving on…!

While mingling in the sorta kinda crowded lounge area I bumped into Tariro “Wildfire” Ruzvidzo, the founder of Wildfire events which hosts events around the country like the popular Acoustic nights. Ruzvidzo is also a member of the all female band Edith we Utonga which is billed to perform at the Mannenburg alongside Kessia this Saturday. Talking about the expectations for Lobola, Ruzvidzo “really hopes its good hey” that’s the exact same thing I was thinking! By then it was now approximately 18.45 #thinking KO haichitanga here nhingi yacho (wont the show start already?)  A few minuets later we are joined by songstress Cindy who has her new album – Groove Theory which she says  is already launched online. Eyeing the crowd to spot a random celeb and or someworth blogging about I met Carl Joshua Ncube- One of our upcoming Stand Up comedians. Ncube is also a media mogul, producing the ZIMA and NAMA awards shows. Ncube is also pioneer to animation in Zimbabwe with the animated series Nyaminyami under his belt. Ncube has a country tour of “ Carl Ncube’s BIG ANNOUNCEMENT” which  kicks of on the 10^th of December at the 7 Arts ( Tickets available from 7Arts and the Book Café ). My conversation is cut short by the singing that’s happening in the theatre. Being the CEO of liking things I go to investigate. AH AH…. Zvaari Diana Samkange nhai! “Takanga tingori twooooo chete mudiwa wauya kubva kure, baby twooo chete, Kure kwegava ndokusina mutsubvu! The crowd was singing along in discord, harmony, still waiting patiently for the show to start. Dza 7’oclock kaidzi.Mataz introduced fellow Urban Groover Leonard Mapfumo and the crowd went KUKUDENG to yaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ooooo eeeeh Maidei… (myself included).

Other notable performances were from… WAIT, let me catch my breathe as I type this because I am still blown away by Tehn Diamond’s performance. For those of you that do not know who Tehn Diamond aka Tehn. Let me school you on the 411. Tehn is a Zimbabwean rapper who was based in Australia and also features in the Afriquan Times for his insanely hecticly tyt music. He opened his act with the song titled “Tonight” which got the ladies going… KUKUDENG… MYSELF  INCLUDED…. Tehn gave a hearty performance running up the theatre, to sing to the crowd. His loyal supporters were screaming their hearts out… another reason why my left ear is a bit “distant” in hearing… in zvanguini! So nehu, Tehn closed his act with the song “Grown up Kid” lyrically this dude is on point. His beats are on point and his performance…. Huh... Champion!

Rhythm Nation, a duo of some pretty talented ladies also graced the stage but unfortunately for them the sounds started acting up with the crowd hollering “ eh volume VOLUME! We can’t hear/ hapana zvatitri kumbonzwaisu” – Zim crowds, ini zvanguiini! As if that wasn’t enough the Big Brother All Stars made their grand entrance... FINISH..!the crowd went… KUKUDENG SCREAMING their favourite All Stars name kunge anga achazouya kuti hesi (like they were gonna come to their seat and say hey) PALOMA!! PALOMA!,MWISHO MWISHO!SHEILA SHEILA (mamuwona here Shiela?)  JEN JEN!! LERATO LERATO!

BBA All Star JeN - .R.

Two rows behind me I  heard-  “ Ko Munya wacho arikupiko” ( Ko where’s Munya?) UH OH…The Diamond Boy steps into the building with this blinged out suit wearing shades, flanked by his beautiful wife nemamamwe mamhtisa-so (bodyguards) MUNYA!!!MUNYA!!! MUNYA!!!! The crowd really went nuts. Mataz introduced the All Stars to the crowd and we were like yah… yakuchitanga manje (it’s starting now- SURELY) Nope… What was taking so long nhai? Nehu that’s coming up just now.

Switching it up from all the singing Mataz introduced the dance trio- HiGh DeFiNition. Vakomana Vanotamba ivavo please! – Those guys can dance the heck. (Still trying to load the video for you to see) Dressed in skinny jeans, high-tops, flat base caps, gloves and Ma breezy spec ayaya mahombe these lads killed it inco-oprating urban dance moves with some sungura chii chii. I LOVED IT. So did the crowd. Ah… tichiri takamira (while we were STILL waiting) Stunner STUNNED US… guys ka.He was looking on ubber fresh rockin a black leather jacket, black pants, scats, black shades, a young white tee  minimal bling regai azoti “TAZOiTA KESH”. His 5 star performance even got Paloma and Merlyn to get up and dance. That just drove the crowd into a frenzy * ini zvanguini* Munhu ane tarenda uyu- This guy has hectic talent. Regai azoti “ Ndini ndini ndini ndine styra… Dear Stunner- STYRA NDIWE for real!

19.45 FINALLY I think yakutanga ( I think its starting now ) Mataz, informs us that the reason why it took such a long time was because the Censorship Board still had to approve the movie. (On the night here?) Nehu, the movie was given the thumps up! BUT FIRST we had to acknowledge the dignitaries. We had the likes of Hon. Savior Kasukuwere- Min of Youth and Development, Amai Olivia Muchena, Baba na Mai CHIDZONGA , and the “Senior Super Star Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi accompanied by Drummer and friend Sam Mataure. JUST TO NAME A FEW. Asi also present were former 263 Actress Tino Katsande and fellow cast member Charity Chinduta Dhodhlo who also featured in Lobola. 

By now I had temporarily misplaced my phone so I have no idea what time it is but Cindy is called upon to sing the national anthem. When she sang I felt sooooooooooooooo proud to be Zimbabwean amana ( still struggling to load Video). And now,  The movie has begun…

What I can tell you is this, Lobola touches upon numerous themes: Bribery, Tradition, Love, Culture, the Diaspora issue in a humerous, typically Zimbo way. You can relate to the issues portrayed from so many different angels. However, I cant wait to watch the full movie, only then can I give you an objective review on it. But sorry if you read this far waiting for the 411 on the flick. Support it at the Cinemas yall! Sorry kani!Or you can also visit www.lobolathemovie.co.zw J

COMING SOON: PICS FROM  the BBA African Tour Party @ Q’bana in Msasa.                                 

mOre lOve..!

- .R.