Sabhuku Vharazipi

Sabhuku Vharazipi and Acting

After completing his secondary education, Sabhuku Vharazipi had to briefly stay with his artistic director, David Dzatsunga before setting out on his own. He featured in the making of all the productions by the then Ziya and played roles in such productions as Voice!!!, The Idlers’ Corner, Mudzimu Dzoka, Machetes, Guns and Talks, Six Good Months, Bandit and a few story-telling plays.^[1] David gained most of his experience as a stage performer in mostly theatre for development initiatives and public performances in schools, colleges, churches and community centers.^[1]

Vharazipi was one of the founding members of Ziya Cultural Theatre Club in 1993.^[1] Ziya eventually grew and it now incorporates for trustees.^[2]

Vharazipi made his major breakthrough with the leading role he performed in the hugely popular Sabhuku Vharazipi DVD. In this screen-play he won the hearts of many viewers with his hilarious portrayal of Sabhuku Vharazipi, a corrupt and immoral headman. Whilst describing his acting career, he was quoted in one of the newspapers saying, “As an actor, I thought I was just unearthing the massive corruption and abuse of power by traditional leaders but the feedback was overwhelming. In Masvingo many people thank me for that and I even heard that most rural folks are now referring to their respective headmen as Sabhuku Vharazipi. People are now enlightened and they have been taught to stand their ground whenever the government sends relief aid in the form of maize to them”.^[2]

Vharazipi in his acting regalia

In an act of generosity and support for their work, Ziya Arts Drama Club, which produced the Sabhuku Vharazipi drama, receiving US$4 000 from Culture Fund Zimbabwe for the production of Sabhuku Vharazipi Part 2. So far, the club under the leadership of Sabhuku Vharazipi has released plays such as The Voice, Idler’s Corner, Streetwise and Nhamo’s Troubles among other plays. But all the other plays did not go viral, until early this year when Sabhuku Vharazipi got on the streets and catapulted him to stardom.^[2] The other trustees of the Arts group include Kumbirai Chikonye who acts as Mai John, David Dzasungwa and Wellington Chidara, who acts the role of chairman in the drama.

Productions

Sabhuku Vharazipi in Sabhuku Vharazipi 2

1. Sabhuku Vharazipi 1 (2012)
2. Sabhuku Vharazipi 2 (2013)
3. Sabhuku Vharazipi 3 (2014)
4. Voice!!!
5. The Idlers’ Corner
6. Mudzimu Dzoka
7. Machetes
8. Guns and Talks
9. Six Good Months
10. Bandit

Other Productions

He also featured on Mathias Mhere's gospel video which was produced in 2014. In the video, Vharazipi played his comic village head figure which made the video a pleasure to watch. He has also featured in various television commercials.^[3] He was also approached for commercials by big companies such as Boka Tobacco and non-Governmental Organisations. He was also quoted in another newspapers saying that he said he was working with Plan International Zimbabwe in a programme called Theatre for Development where they were disseminating information to schools and communities about child rights, abuse, the girl child and women issues.^[3] However, Sabhuku Vharazipi 3 released in 2014 did not make the expected impact since it was heavily affected by piracy. Vharazipi also lamented the devastating financial consequences that came along with pirating of Sabhuku Vharazipi 3.

Successes

In 2014, Sabhuku Vharazipi was nominated for the high profile Human Rights Award. Besides, he also featured in various television commercials which added weight to his already blooming fame. In 2013 The Ziya Cultural Arts Trust which produced the hilarious drama, Sabhuku Vharazipi, received US$10 000 from the Zimpapers Group of Companies in a move aimed at promoting local productions and curbing piracy.^[4] In 2014, Vharazipi also featured at the Chimanimani Arts Festival held in Chimanimani.^[5]

Sabhuku Vharazipi Movies and Videos Clips

References