Anansi series hit the screen
After several post-production challenges, the development-centred television drama series Anansi has finally hit the screens.
The soap opera premiered on Times Television last week where it will be airing on Saturday at 7.30pm. For now, 24 episodes to run for six months have been produced.
Unicef funded the project which is under the Department of Arts in the Ministry of Wildlife, Tourism and Culture.
The series mainly addressing issues of child and maternal health, malaria prevention, education, immunisation, sexual and reproductive health among others.
Renowned actress-cum-filmmaker Flora Suya produced and directed the series.
The production, which has a cast of 30 characters, focuses on a family and a circle of friends enjoying a good life in town.
But as they continue with their pursuit of that life, they are faced with health-related challenges which stem from child health, high mortality rate, hygiene and sexually-transmitted infections.
In an interview, Suya said the objective of the production is to raise awareness on various thematic areas that the storyline has touched on.
She said: “Minus the issues that form the core of the storyline, we also have some emerging challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic which cannot be ignored.
“After these two seasons, there is a possibility that we may produce more episodes.”
The production has attracted some reputable names in the local film industry such as Dipo Katimba, Brenda Mselu, Ian Chisekula, Beatus Msamange, Desire Nachotsa and Harold Chimangamsasa. The production has also seen Nation Publications Limited (NPL) arts journalist Yvonne Sundu making her acting debut.
Bennie Msuku, who was responsible for the production of the script together with Aaron Ngalonde, said the issues being addressed are crucial in creating a society that contributes to the socio-economic development of the country.
“We need to have women who know their rights and women who know that when they go to a health centre they have the right to demand the best health care provision. The idea of the series was premised on this context,” he said.
The series was shot in various locations around Lilongwe such as Area 25 and Kauma.
