A Zimbabwean-South African film company is developing a six-part television drama chronicling the life and political journey of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Titled “Raising of a Giant”, the series will trace Mnangagwa’s story from the history surrounding his birth and childhood to his involvement in the liberation struggle, political career and eventual rise to the presidency.
According to Zimbabwean newspaper The Herald, the drama is being developed by Black Lips Film Production and sponsored by Prevail International Group of Companies.
Each of the six episodes will run for about one hour, with the story told through Jennifer Zimbabwe Parker, a young Zimbabwean-American Harvard Economics honours student who returns to Zimbabwe with her father following the death of her Zimbabwean mother.
As part of her university thesis, Parker examines Zimbabwe’s economic challenges and Mnangagwa’s role in steering the country after the First Republic. Her conversations with the President will provide the narrative through which viewers follow his personal and political journey.
Lead producer Sibusisiwe “Busie” Mzinja told The Herald that Parker would offer a different perspective on Zimbabwe.
“We wanted to tell this story through the eyes of a young woman who belongs to Zimbabwe but sees it from the outside,” Mzinja said.
She said the production would also explore the role of ordinary citizens in shaping Zimbabwe’s future.
“This is not only about one man. It is about every citizen playing a part, because legacy is about shaping the future,” she said.
Mzinja said the series would begin before Mnangagwa’s birth to show how the historical circumstances around him shaped his life.
“We start before he was born because a leader is shaped by the history that came before him and audiences will see how the boy became the President,” she said.
Filming is planned in countries where Mnangagwa lived, studied, fought or travelled during his political journey. Mzinja said the script had been written in 11 African languages as part of efforts to preserve its African identity.
“Every country he visited, stayed in, fought in and learnt in, we will film there and that is how the story stays true,” she said.
The production is expected to feature veteran artists alongside South African and international actors and directors.
Mzinja also said the project would showcase Zimbabwe as a film destination, saying, “As we tell his story, we are also marketing our beloved, peaceful Zimbabwe to the world as a film destination.”
Mnangagwa was born in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe, on September 15, 1942. He became president in November 2017 after Robert Mugabe resigned amid mounting political pressure and a military intervention.