Where is Kabanana the soap?

By Sylvester Mbewe

WHEN Kabanana, the beloved soap started airing on ZNBC TV years ago, many Zambians thought they had discovered a local “Isidingo” in the making.

Little did they know that their newly adopted screen baby would be on and off the screen all in the name of improvements and members of the cast leaving and others coming on board.

The first time that Kabanana was interrupted from our screens, we were told that it had been taken back to the studios for rebranding so that it comes out with a more  fresh and original touch that would eventually stand the test of time.

Indeed, the new but not so different Kabanana came and in no time disappeared undoubtedly for further check-ups. The public even participated in the highly costly auditions that were for weeks shown live on ZNBC TV all aimed at replacing the likes of ‘Jason Kabanana’ and the influential, but vocal ‘Matongo’. 

The talent that we saw on “Better TV” during these auditions was immense and encouraging. It is thus understandable that people are now asking questions about what is happening to the soap that had come out with a lot of promising scenes.

A local renowned entertainment reporter told me: “These things take time, but the people out there haven’t got that much patience, so the onus is on the production crew of Kabanana.” The same colleague went on to say that the Copperbelt made films such as “Loose Ends” and the intriguing “Reflections” were doing fine because the people from that far have exercised a little bit of hardwork and dedication. Perhaps more platform should be given to the Copperbelt film makers who are proving to be more competent and serious in the delivery of timely and quality productions to the people of this nation.

REFLECTING INTO THE NATION

LEISURE

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Bikkilloni, Diffikkoti sign new contract with Muvi TV

By Sylvester Mbewe

CELEBRATED  television comedians Bikkilloni and Diffikkoti have signed a new contract with Muvi TV clearing the air about their long absence from the screen.

This undoubtedly puts to rest speculations that they had been blocked by State House because of their constitutional talk and high desire to meet President Mwanawasa.

Diffikkoti said in a recent interview that all the hiccups between them and Muvi TV had been amicably resolved and that both parties were now happy with the status quo.

“It was all about money. We were not happy with certain requirements regarding finances and thus we thought putting the whole issue to a halt until the matter was resolved. We felt this was going to be in the best interest of both parties,” Diffikkoti said.

He said that the two parties had agreed that on every commercial hire that Bikkilloni and Diffikkoti were engaged with, they would get 50 per cent of the proceeds while Muvi TV would also get the remaining 50 per cent.

“We are now happy with the deal, you will be seeing us on Muvi TV this week. We have also acquired new costumes, but from time to time, you will be seeing us in our beloved old costumes,” said Diffikkoti.

He said it was not true that they had been banned from making an appearance on screen due to what many people thought was because of their stance on matters regarding the constitution.

“People have a whole lot of explanations that have no basis at all. The whole issue of being banned because of our constitutional talk is a fake,” he said.

He said the agreement they reached with the station was supposed to have meant them starting to appear on TV as early as last week, but because his counterpart, Bikkilloni was robbed of his ATM Card, and subsequently his account money, this has delayed them.

“They got away with his ATM and all his money from the account, but as soon as he sorts himself out, we are going to start working,” Diffikkoti said.