Lack of funding stalls Studio 263 comeback

By Vasco Chaya

HARARE – Joe Mawuru, who has been leading efforts to revive the popular local soapie Studio 263, says lack of funding has derailed the project.

Joe, son to the late founding executive producer of Studio 263 Godwin, early this year announced that the soapie would make a comeback around midyear.

But yesterday the junior Mawuru conceded that the comeback back bid was hitting a brick wall.

“We are still running around trying to source funding to start the production. In fact we are aiming to get at least $15 000 to cater for at least 30 episodes. We are appealing for corporates to assist us,” said Mawuru.

The Studio 263 official said the failure to meet the comeback date was partly caused by the inability of a family member to fund the project as promised.

“A family member who is based in the United Kingdom had pledged to invest in the project because he wanted to restore the Studio 263 legacy  but other pressing commitments has undermined his ability to keep his promise,” Mawuru told the Daily News.

“We hope his financial situation will improve because he has already some studio equipment for the soapie.”

Joe Mawuru added that he would be part of the cast of the rebranded Studio 263 along with veteran writer Aaron Chiundura Moyo.

“We will simply continue with the same storyline and we hope the soap will be screened in more than three countries including South Africa, Uganda and Cameroon. This will help us to push the buy Moyo, who was the original scriptwriter of the soapie, revealed yesterday he had agreed to renew his association with Studio 263.

“As long as money is available for production to start, it will not take me time to write the scripts.

I wish the organisers all the best in their endeavours to bring back the project,” he said adding that at the moment he is working on reviving Tiriparwendo, a local television drama.

“Currently we are busy rehearsing Tiriparwendo which I hope will hit the big screen again soon and we are also trying to retain the original cast,” he said.

Studio 263 was the first local soapie to go international after it was screened on the satellite channel Africa Magic.

Some of the actors and actresses of the soap include the late Nevernay Chinyanga “Muwengwa”, Steven Chigorimbo “John Huni”, Charles Kapfupi “Wakanaka”, Anne Nhira “Vimbai”,  Pretty Xaba “Mai Muwengwa”, Ben Mahaka “Tom Mbambo” Tatenda Mavetera “Tendai Jari”, Denzel Burutsa “Jabu Jari”, Chipo Bizure “Eve”, Tinopona Katsande “Joyce Huni”, Arnold Chirisa “Detective Insp Davies” Kizito Mawoko “Dread Welly”, Amanda Mugoni “Sakina”, Joe Pike “Jacob” and, Edgar Langeveldt “Detective Inspector Green” among others. Daily News