FOR the past few weeks, this platform evaded censor on the national broadcaster, ZNBC, not that their offering has been good but mainly because interesting issues from other TVs took the lead.
However, no matter how one may want to keep it at ease with ZNBC, something shocking will just pop up, leaving you with less option but to shoot.
Last week, ZNBC was at it again when its corporate affairs manager Masuzyo Ndhlovu announced the ‘THIRD’ change of the annual Born and Bred Awards with what looked like a painful smile on his face,
from August 27 to September 10, 2015 with change of venue from Mass Media Complex to now New Government Complex.
To be honest, this exhibits lack of seriousness as it exposes how much ZNBC misunderstands events of such nature and magnitude.
One wonders how they hope to do their rehearsals, sound, pictures and redesigning of the stage and audience within this relatively short time.
Just as well explained by Masuzyo, this is an award-giving ceremony for creative music video awards produced by Zambian artistes, not a ZNBC indoor corporate event.
It was surprising to see ZNBC confine such a clearly public event to the confines of its premises where even the paid-for entry would have been irritatingly highly restrictive.
Cost-saving measure perhaps, but why start something that you correctly project you would not eventually manage to sustain?
Now look at the day it has been rescheduled to – Thursday! I am meant to believe that all appropriate days like Fridays or Saturdays are fully booked at Government Complex, hence settling for a full working day, Thursday. What a confusion!
Apparently, all this sludge has been smeared on the show producer Innocent Kalaluka as evidently seen from the social media but one can this time around safely say Innocent is innocent.
Now, away from the Born and Bred awards, this platform would like to again commend ZNBC sports presenter Benzu Muleya for taking the critic of this platform with a positive and mature mind.
From the time she was censored, she has impressively worked on her lapses now making her one of the countable few incredible sports presenters.
From this platform we say thank you and congratulations, please keep the spirit and continue soaring until you touch the sky. Good work!
Still on the sports, it was again very exciting to see the return of the larger-than-life Matimba Nkonje on the sidelines of the SuperSport beamed MTN FAZ Super Division League.
I was glued to his presentation although what I noticed was that there was no proper coordination and role-sharing between Matimba and Innocent Kalaluka.
According to the little knowledge I have of such analysis, Matimba is supposed to give Innocent a lot of leading questions pertaining to the game, key or impact players and so on so that Innocent does the explaining.
However, what I saw was the opposite as much of the analysis was done by Matimba, leaving Innocent with very little to say.
Both Matimba and innocent are seasoned sports presenters but on the previous weekend analysis, they messed it up as it became difficult to distinguish between the person doing the questioning and the one answering.
Talking SuperSport, last week’s edition titled ‘Supersport sends men to pubs’ received a lot of feedback.
However, this week, the story is a little different after MultiChoice rewarded its clients with two weeks of accessing high-profile games on all Supersport channels, that include SS3 on Compact Plus as well as SS5 on Premium.
According to MultiChoice Zambia public relations manager Mwiika Malindima, this is a custom of the leading pay TV to give open viewing weeks to its subscribers.
“We can give open weeks for interesting movies but this time around, we have decided to give two open weeks of top action sport on SuperSport, the Word of champions,” he said.
However, the normal programming, as explained in last week’s edition, resumes immediately after August 28.
Away from sports, Idols extra on DStv channel 199 is getting more exiting with the solo performances of those that survived the chop during the group performance stage.
Unati Mseng’gana has continued to be charming with Randall Abrams remaining Randall the ‘mean’ one.
Tonight at 18:30 hours, the channel goes live for yet another exiting episode of the show where more eliminations are likely to start taking place.
This is one of DStv’s reality shows that has filled the gap acting as a consolation to the much loved non aired Big Bother Africa this year.
Apparently, as Idols SA becomes sweeter, questions have continued hitting this platform especially from ambitious young stars and viewers why the show cannot be turned into a continental competition.
We will wait for a response from Mwiika again on that matter.
Now from my mail box,  I received an interesting mail from one Mingeli Palata  2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award Nominee for Best TV Series (Maliposa),
He writes
“Hi Sam
2015 has come with a lot of excitement in the television sector with new entrants coming from all directions, which is good because then it gives the audience choice and increases the demand for content.
The cheap route is to always acquire foreign content and impose alien cultures on our society, bring movies and TV series with demonic agendas such dark magic (Vampires) and homosexuality!  This is a Christian Nation for crying out loud.
The IBA must monitor this aspect and ensure that cultural norms are maintained and not replaced by western values otherwise the nation will lose its identity!
Most broadcasters have come to realise this and have been quoting local content producers for salable content but there is a problem here. They want producers to give them the content for free, who does that?
It seems they don’t appreciate how much money goes into producing just a single quality TV production?
In the meantime guys, lets as Zambian producers continue with our work, share what we have, and never fight fellow producers, let us put our work on DVD, sooner or letter broadcasters will be forced to PAY!
That way we will grow our industry and our local channels will be buzzing with local content
Thank you so much Mr Palata
That is actually a cry for many people especially after the introduction of Zambezi Magic which you producers are supposed to fill with Zambian content. Have you tried to do so? If so, kindly share your experience with this platform.
0955362470 samphiri77@gmail.com