The harder the journey, the sweeter the rewards: Smuffie

MULTI-TALENTED award winner, actor, director and producer Sipilisiwe “Smuffie” Kaikeni believes lack of conducive learning places has slowed down the growth of the arts sector.Smuffie ventured into arts at the tender age of 17, as an actor before spreading wings to other roles.

She founded Sharp Arrow Productions which specialises in marketing through roadshows. She said she appreciated the increased number of arts learning institutions and the inclusion of visual and performing arts subjects in primary schools. 

Smuffie, however, sticks to her belief that talent must be nurtured and groomed timeously to suit the target audience’s needs and the demands of the ever-evolving industry.“Zimbabwean film and arts industry is improving by the day. I believe very soon the world will appreciate our local talent for placement in blockbuster films and soap operas,” Smuffie said.

“We are lacking resources and funding to move at a fast pace or be reactive in terms of provision of creative responses that entertain and turn around situations at hand.  I wish our government could recognise our potential and fund our projects.”

Smuffie reckons the harder the journey the sweeter the rewards.

“It was not an easy journey at all, I joined the film industry at the age of 17. At some stage I thought of quitting, but now I can testify that I am enjoying being an artist,” she said.“My first production was Aaron Chiundura Moyo’s drama called Mafuro Manyoro back in 1997. That very same year I joined a group of artists called Screen Talent Productions which helped to improve my acting.”

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Over the years, Smuffie has starred in several films, drama series, documentaries, skits, radio and television adverts.Smuffie has rubbed shoulders with prominent producers, directors, actors and actresses who include Arnold Tongai Chirisa who is plying his trade in Hollywood, Joe Njagu, Marian Kunonga, Nakai Tsuro, Daves Guzha, Admire “Bhutisi” Kuzhangaira, Thomson Makota and Emmanuel Matsinye, among others.

“The other great achievement I have made so far is starting my company. I am looking forward to attracting a winnable audience through my new production, a drama series titled Gamuchirai which will be out on the screens by end of March,” she said.

“Many thanks to all the producers and directors I have had and those I am still working with. I salute them for believing in me and being there for me. To all my colleagues I say let’s keep on pushing we will get there. If we combine our efforts, we will emerge victorious.”

Smuffie pleaded with stakeholders in the film industry to lobby for an immediate disbursement of video and airplay royalties through a trusted agent. “At the moment there is no union for filmmakers to probe all the discrepancies in continued payment of video and film royalties to producers and artists.

“We implore the government and all responsible authorities like the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe to make a collective bargain on stipulation of standard rates for film actors and producers through the proposed Zimbabwe Film Strategy,” she said.

“The Zimbabwe Music Strategy has so far yielded success through professionalising the music industry. The film and acting industry unites several cultural and creative industry disciplines like housing, fashion and design, photography, beauty, videography, literal artists, music and far more, therefore possessing the greatest potential for being a good employer.”