Poor funding stalls ‘Sabhuku Vharazipi 3’

By Tawanda Marwizi

Poor funding has stalled the release of popular drama Sabhuku Vharazipi 3 that was initially supposed to hit the streets early this year.

Producers of the comedy have on several occasions deferred the release over the past months and it seems they will not be able to release it this year.

Initially, “Sabhuku Vharazipi 3” was scheduled to be released in March this year before being deferred to April then June. The release now hangs in the balance as it has emerged that producers were failing to raise money for the production.

One of the producers, Wellington Chindara who stars as Chairman in the comedy series said they were let down by a number of sponsors and they had to foot the bill on their own.

“Yes, we set those dates but we were let down by a number of sponsors forcing us to finance it alone.

“The funds have not been enough and we are still to release it,” he said.

Pirates have on several occasions duped the local market by selling fake DVDs of the production. According to Chindara the estimated cost of the production is $23 000 since the production of the DVDs is being done in China to counter piracy.

“People should just understand us because we have been funding this project alone except for a few individuals who have extended their hand in assisting us,” he said.

Though he was optimistic that the DVDs will arrive in two to three weeks time, they are still struggling to raise money for duty.

Chindara said they want to produce DVDs that are not easy to pirate because piracy has destroyed the future of Zimbabwean artistes and the industry at large.

“We have talent in Zimbabwe with great potential to break on the international market but with piracy we cannot go anywhere. We do not get enough income,” he said.

The actor said things are so hard that at one point, the cast had to come to Harare from their Masvingo base to “beg” for sponsorship from corporates but to no avail.

“We have done everything but still as we wait for our consignment to come, we are still to raise money for duty,” he said. The Herald