Spotlight on Tanzanian Cinema: A Growing Industry with Local Talent
The Tanzanian film industry is undergoing a renaissance, with a surge in local talent
and productions making waves both locally and internationally. From gripping dramas to
heartwarming comedies, Tanzanian filmmakers are showcasing the rich cultural
tapestry of the country and captivating audiences around the world.
One recent success story is “Vuta Ni Kuvute” also known as Tug of War by Amil Shivji,
a film that has captured the hearts of audiences with its engaging storyline and powerful
performances. The film, which explores themes of love, family, and tradition, has
received critical acclaim and has been internationally and locally awarded. The movie is
currently Tanzania’s official submission to the 95 th Academy awards.
Another film that has garnered international attention is “Binti” directed by Seko Shamte
and co-produced by the director herself with Angela Ruhinda and Alinda Ruhinda. The
film tells the story of four Tanzanian women who are unknowingly connected through
their ability to perservere extreme hardships in the city. The movie is now available on
Netflix. Its inclusion on Netflix has helped to showcase Tanzanian cinema to a global
audience.
Despite these successes, the Tanzanian film industry still faces challenges, including
limited funding, infrastructure, and distribution channels. Many filmmakers struggle to
secure financing for their projects, and the lack of locations makes it difficult.
However, despite these challenges, Tanzanian filmmakers remain undeterred, using
their creativity and passion to overcome obstacles and bring their stories to life. Local
film festivals such as Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) provide a platform for
filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with industry professionals, helping to
foster a vibrant and growing film community in Tanzania.
As the Tanzanian film industry continues to grow, it is clear that its future is bright. With
a wealth of talent and a rich cultural heritage to draw from, Tanzanian filmmakers are
poised to make an even bigger impact on the global stage in the years to come.
Tag: Entertainment
ASHENALE- MARLEEN XPLASTAZ
Marlene Xplastaz’s ‘ASHENALE’
Produced by : blvcq_igbo6
Filmed by: Director Izzy
Usionyeshe Tatizo, Onyesha Suluhu
Msasa Podcast
Usher, Pheelz – Ruin
Usher, Pheelz – Ruin
Music Video Credits:
Directed by: Dave meyers
Production company: freenjoy
Director rep: lark creative
Produced by: Nathan Scherrer
Label producer: Alexa Dedlow
Director of photography: Scott Cunningham
Production designer: Nucalifornia
Choreographer: Galen hooks
Prod manager: Paul Lee
Editor: Carlos font clos at cabin edit
Edit producer: Whitcomb johnson
Color: Stefan Sonnenfeld at company3 color
Producer: blake rice vfx
Supervisors: Przemek Drosik & Christophe-Olivier Dupuis vfx
Producers: Gosia herman & Phlippe Lépine vfx by foreign xchange & buf montreal
Artwork by: REWA, Emily Manwaring, and Ikechukwa Amos Christian Janaina Tschäpe Artwork courtesy of the artist & Sean Kelly, New York/Los Angeles
MTINGO | short film teaser
MTINGO is the first short film created by Undiscovered goats community.
Kubwa Kuliko ft. G Nako & Conboi Cannabino
Prod. Pronto
Rayvanny Exits WCB


Raymond Shaban Mwakyusa, better known by his stage name Rayvanny, is a Tanzanian musician, songwriter and recording artist who was signed under WCB Wasafi record label up until July 2022.
Singer Rayvanny has formally departed Diamond Platnumz’s Wasafi Classic Baby (WCB) recordings Tanzania after months of denial.
On July 12th 2022, Rayvanny made the news, stating he was now concentrating on his record company, “Next Level Music,” and was eager to develop musical talent.
Rayvanny thanked Diamond Platnumz for giving him the chance to share his ability with the world in a two-minute video homage to his former employer.
Under WCB, Rayvanny has had what many can describe as a whirlwind career. With numerous hits under his belt such as “Tetema”, “Number One”, and “Te Amo”, the BET Viewer’s Choice Best New International Act 2017 award, the world is really his oyster and we are more than excited to see what happens next for this Mbeya native.
“My respect to you Diamond Platnumz will be forever, God bless you Diamond. But there comes a time when a child goes out to start their own life and bring back respect to his family. Now it is my time to leave, and grow other talents at my record label, Next Level Music,” he said.
According to media accounts, Rayvanny had not yet been able to raise the money needed to buy out the remaining terms of his allegedly 10-year contract at the time, hence his exit had not yet taken place.
According to claims made by Tanzania’s well-known social media influencer and Clouds FM radio host Mwijaku, Diamond wanted $829,383 from Rayvanny in order to let him leave the label.
However, it appears that the parties have come to a cordial understanding as seen by Diamond’s response on Rayvanny’s Instagram post about his departure.
By Anne Tendwa
Perspective on a legend: Denis Rodman
Denis Rodman is one to believe in the impossible. Born in Texas, Denis was not your average individual. His authentic characteristics played a massive part on his road to becoming an NBA all-star/Hall of famer.
In the time of his high school years, Denis was not the type of person to fit into crowds and to put it into a single modern day word, he was clinically Anti-social thus concluding his schooling years with a handful of dodgy friendships. But it wasn’t his fault still, imagine growing up not knowing your father in a household frantically occupied by the female gender, such an environment would inevitably leave a scar on your mentality.
After graduating high school, Denis was expected to do something with his life and having sisters who were prolific in sports would suite as a quintessential example but Denis had nothing in mind. Soon enough he acquired a job as an airport cleaner. The job seemed down to earth and Denis did not mind cleaning up after people. During this time, Denis found it appropriate to fondle and illegally claim watches from a nearby store that would later cause for his arrest.
After being arrested Denis served time and came out the same person he was, mentally and physically being five foot nine and a complex intuition. After spending sometime living with his mother, it reached a point when Denis became a man and needed to seek for greener pastures (He got kicked out of his mum`s house) preferably with less individuals to judge his personality.
Gradually but surely, the hardship would build Denis and make him consider his choices thus he decided to attend college where he was noticed by a scout.( the past months leading up to his move, Denis had considerably grown) Denis never liked basketball or anything really, but he decided he had to try out basketball and the game immediately accepted his presence. Before Dennis went pro, he appeared in a number of matches for his college team and was nicknamed the savage for his brutal force and rebounding ability which will prove vital for his future in the NBA.
After finishing his season in college, Denis Rodman was one of the rookies available for drafting that summer alongside plenty of talent. But Denis stood out and he inevitably got picked by the Detroit Pistons who admired his hardworking mentality. Playing in the NBA as a rookie can be hard, but if you’re Denis Rodman that idea would be far fetched. Critics would later realize that Denis played for the shear fun of it and not the money and his authentic approach towards the game inexplicably gained him plaudits and the award for the best defensive player in the league that year.
After that award, Denis was filled with an aura of hope and family which led him to stay in Detroit for years to come but nothing lasts forever, his coach had resigned and players who Denis thought were his brothers started to get drafted and it no longer seemed to be nostalgic. Denis hated playing for the pistons and he needed to move. During this time Denis affiliated with a woman and had a child with her. Now having two mouths to feed, a move seemed essential so he got drafted to the San Antonio spurs.
Being Denis Rodman, it didn’t matter what team he went to, he just wanted to express himself on the court so after he signed he portrayed a new side of himself to his new team by engulfing his hair in the color blonde because of a film that inspired him. His reputation of being a savage on the court baffled his fan base and this led him to become more confident and brutal as his life revolved around clubs, girls, pessimistic trends such as tattoos, body piercings.
But these habits did not affect his performance and due to this the spurs were nicknamed the bad boys for having such a physical dominance on their oppositions, but Denis`s behavior would phase the team thus leading to a loss in the eastern conference against the Chicago bulls. Denis was now resented by the spurs and the feeling was mutual for Denis which meant he was banned for a couple of games which would lead to his move.
After Denis`s failed relationship with the spurs he decided to move on but before he could get drafted he attempted to kill himself in his parked pickup truck right outside the crown Center but he fell asleep due to fatigue. Denis Rodman would later get drafted to the Chicago bulls with likes of Michael Jordan and Pipin. Early on this move seemed beneficial to the bulls leading to a trio of superstars working together in a monumental force, but Denis`s old demons would catch up to him resulting in the fall of the bulls. Denis Rodman would retire later on in the season known for his physical presence on the court, and his never give up attitude forever engraving his name in the hall of fame.
Book Review:The Secret Lives Of Baba Segi’s Wives By Lola Shoneyin
This month, we look at the superb book written by Lola Shoneyin- The secret lives of baba Segi’s wives. The readers are immediately introduced to the character of baba Segi as a man in a polygamous relationship. He has married three wives with seven children.
In the opening, the readers also learn that he took a fourth wife whom he has labelled as the “graduate wife”. He appears to be very boastful when he describes the fourth wife to his friend “teacher”. This shows that the other wives are uneducated.
The book showcases a marital power play where Iya Segi -the first wife- controls the household although baba Segi is the head of the house. Throughout the book, it can be seen how the rest of the two wives are afraid of butting heads with Iya Segi with the fear that she will ruin them.
A lot of secrets unravel in every chapter of the book which leaves the readers gasping for the next series of events. Each wife has a secret that baba Segi does not know about. However the truth always comes to light somehow. In this case, the fourth wife spinned the wheels in motion.
Bolanle- the fourth wife- is described by the other wives as the evil one who came into the household as a hurricane to throw everything upside down and ruin the norm of the household. They wanted her out of the house by any means. There actions caused their downfall. With the knowledge that the fourth wife cannot get pregnant, a visit to the hospital to sort out the problem is what started the end of their circus
Truly this book is quite remarkable, the language used by Shoneyin is quite relatable to the people living in West African, you can say that its indeed African. The author also touches on matters that face the society which include the problems of being uneducated. Some of the things done by the characters could be easily avoided if they were educated.
Grab yourself the book and have fun reading. Chances are you would not put the book down until you finish it.
By Vanessa Mwingira
