Miss Tanzania 2002/03, Angela Damas, features in a new film known as Girl Friend, whose production has just been completed. Angela, now taking sociology at the University of Dar es Salaam, is seen in the film handing over an award to the best r&b artist in the country, Mohamed Khalid, whose moniker is TID ('Top In Dar'). TID won the award after his song Zeze was voted the best by music enthusiasts through Ijumaa, a local Kiswahili tabloid.


Meanwhile, for the first time enthusiasts in Tanzania and East Africa in general will this month witness a show by popular musicians and actresses who have been featuring in the series Girl Friend. The show to be held at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam has been organised by Lete Mambo Production of Dar es Salaaam.

Although they have become famous as hip-hop R&B artists, local musicians will have to prove their ability in acting both for television and films. Eventually they would win reputation as entertainers who can easily cross back and forth between being musicians and actors. In the process, they might become the most successful entertainers in East Africa and beyond. This is what many popular American musicians do, they venture in music and films too.

Among celebrities who will be seen on the film shoot-out at the Club Aset in Kinondoni are hip-hop artists Juma Nature, Inspekta Haroun, Luteni Kalama, Daz Nundaz, Feruz and Mike T.. Apart from the hip-hop artists, the film also features the programmes manager of Times Fm, Taji Liundi, a.k.a Master T, and actress Dotnata Shaaban. Dotnata, who is acting in the famous series of ITV, Mambo Hayo, said she was very keen to feature in the film. Unfortunately, she has not been selected.

"I was very eager to feature in the film.... but, anyway, I am ready whenever they want me. Despite all that, I am very happy that I will be seen in the film," Dotnata noted.

On his part, the film director and producer, George Otieno 'Tyson,' said the film has been completed. Currently they are in the process of launching it at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam at a date which has not been known yet. Otieno, an expert in the film industry, possesses a diploma from South Africa. He said talented artists in the country took part in the film. The co-ordinator of the event, Tamba Sultan, who is also a narrator of the film, said it is basically about the life of musicians and actors from Tanzania.

"Before narrating the film we did a research on young talented actors and musicians concerning their life style in general. We then narrated the story and started practising on how to go about it," he said.

He said before starting to shoot the film, the actors and actresses were in camp practicing together for sometime. They include who is currently making a lot of waves in various radio stations in Tanzania with his numbers 'Zeze' and 'Siamini'. Another artist who features in the film is Ambwene Yesaya also known as AY-who is riding high with his tracks Ni Raha Tu and Raha Kamili. Apart from them is Gwamaka Kaihula-alias King GK-who is much known for his track Sister Sister. Yet the other popular artist is Lady Jay Dee whose song Wanaume Kama Mabinti, in her second album, is currently a hot cake in the market. Apart from her, the film features Jay Moe, known for his tracks, Kama Unataka Demu, Mvua Au Jua. He also mentioned two popular actresses in Tanzania, Ivyone Sherlyn Otieno, popularly known as Monalisa and Beatrice Moses alias Nina.

What is interesting, Tamba noted, is that the film Girl Friend will have a sound track through which participating musicians are expected to record tracks for the first time. "To be honest the film will be very good and interesting too. We want to compete with our rivals, the Nigerian films, Tamba noted. He added that in future Lete Mambo Productions aspire to produce quality films.