Published by the government of Zimbabwe
9 October 2007
Harare — More than 35 members of the Zimbabwe Film and Television Actors Union last week received certificates of excellence after successfully completing training on professional film and television production.
Canadian trainer John Boylan was conducting the workshops while the Zimbabwe Culture Fund and the Federation of International Actors were the sponsors. The union's secretary general, Albert Nkunzi, handed over the certificates to the participants during a function held at a Harare hotel to commemorate the union's 10th anniversary. In his opening remarks, Nkunzi paid tribute to one of Zimbabwe's best actors, the late Makomborero Muza, who was the union's founding president, for his instrumental role in spearheading the fight for the improvement of the status and welfare of actors in the country.
"We started this union as a small group of actors after the late Muza had suggested the idea to us for starting an organisation that would safeguard the interests of actors in general. It was not easy but we were committed. "We also strove for international recognition leading to our registration with the Federation for International Actors that has affiliate groups such as the International Federation of African Actors and Federation of European Actors," Nkunzi said. Nkunzi also said one of the key aims that led to the formation of the association was the need for decent remuneration and settlement of disputes.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe representative, Nicholas Moyo, who also spoke at the occasion, urged actors and other stakeholders in the industry to bury their differences and maintain a synergy for progress' sake. He also said acting - if taken seriously - had the potential of contributing to the country's gross domestic product.
"Surely, we can stand high and say we have contributed to the gross domestic product of Zimbabwe," said Moyo. Zimbabwe International Film Festival official and representative of the Zimbabwe Culture Fund, Farai Mpfunya, echoed the same sentiments when he said films were essential for the development of the country. He urged the actors to continue making films that had a bearing on national development and also continue in their fight for earning decent wages. Ziftau was formed in 1997 to serve the interests of film and television actors in the country.
Mbira Dzechirorodziva entertained the crowd with their traditional mbira music.
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