Having starred in a number of acting roles actor/musician Mabuzza, real name Fillemon Hafeni Stephanus, now sits firmly in the movie producer’s chair.
Speaking to VIBEZ!, Mabuzza said he is highly blessed by God’s grace to be involved in the movie as actor and producer.
“I never thought in my wildest dreams I will ever take on this beautiful stressful job, which is also enjoyable at the same time.”
His new role, apart from acting in the movie, includes arranging finance; hiring writers, a director and key members of the creative team, as well as overseeing all elements of pre-production, production and post-production – right up to release.
“I make sure all cast and crew needed are on set and on time. We didn’t have anything, so I had to ask around for sponsorship from Fly Rasta with food daily on set. Wadilona Biz hub sponsored petrol, and Grab a Combo Butchery helped us with water. So, I guess I handled it well because, at the end of the day, we pulled it off. Without my cast and crew, I wouldn’t have pulled it off – even though they stressed me,” he explained with a chuckle.
The movie, ‘The Transit’, is based on a true story about a cash in transit heist.
“We changed the storyline a little bit because we couldn’t get a cash in transit truck, so we changed it to ‘The Transit’. It’s about four guys, who did a transit heist – then later, one got shot. The rest of the gang members later called it off – became a changed man, but one of their son’s got kidnapped and so they regroup to go back to war.”
The musician, who recently released ‘The Blueprint of Kwaito’ EP, does everything wholeheartedly, especially when he has to choose which hat to wear.
“I feel deep down in my heart and soul this is a God-given talent. I’m just doing what He says and directs me to do. I might become a police officer tomorrow. Who knows? Every day, I pray to God. The Almighty, Grote, makes the best out of me,” he says.
Funding has not come easy for local filmmakers, especially during the pandemic – and Mabuzza was not spared either.
“Honestly, we didn’t have anything. It’s just the love of Namibian youth who are unemployed and want to show their talent and create content with the little we have.”
- slunyangwe@nepc.com.na