Kidznet and Star Kidz. . .How it all went wrong for the child stars

Farai DizaPICTURE this: an early Saturday morning in Zimbabwe, children across the nation scrambling for the television remote, their minds firmly fixated on the edutainment shows that had begun to redefine their young lives. Instead of traditional games like Matshayana/Raka Raka or street football, their Saturday mornings were now unequivocally television-driven. The show they craved? Star Kidz, one of the flagship programmes on local TV.The turn of the millennium marked a significant shift in Zimbabwean broadcasting, largely thanks to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s (ZBC) Kidznet initiative.

Following the signing of a new Broadcasting Act in April 2001, ZBC relaunched on 30 November 2001, subsequently dividing into six strategic business units: Newsnet, Kidznet, Sportsnet, Radio Services, Production Services, and Television Services.Tinevimbo ChimbeteteThe Kidznet brand became incredibly popular, even permeating the world of football. Fans affectionately dubbed Moses Chunga’s youthful Dynamos team, featuring “baby-faced assassins” such as Nyasha Chazika, the late Norman Maroto, Leo Kurauzvione, Samson Choruwa, dribbling wizard Eddie Mashiri, and Nelson Muchekela, as “Kidznet” — a nod to the brand’s pervasive appeal.ZBC Kidznet’s flagship programme, Star Kidz, was famously anchored by Makanaka Wakatama and Tinevimbo Chimbetete. Every Saturday morning, this dynamic duo captivated audiences, becoming immediate role models for children, teenagers, and even the young at heart.

Star Kidz offered a much-needed respite from academic routines, showcasing interesting activities and engaging content that viewers might have missed during the week. Children across the country looked up to the pair for inspiration, as they consistently lit up screens with their undeniable talent, charisma, humour, and entertaining show.Makanaka WakatamaThe programme’s immense popularity meant that almost every company vied to have its logo featured on any of the segments presented by the duo. Makanaka, a beautiful young girl, and Tinevimbo, equally charming and vibrant, were widely regarded as the best presenting pair on Zimbabwean television.

Their undeniable talent and magnetism attracted significant corporate attention, which, perhaps ironically, set the stage for Makanaka’s future struggles.As their fame soared, Alcatraz, then a prominent Harare fashion house owned by the Sambazi brothers, began dressing the young presenters. It was during this period that the young Makanaka reportedly developed a romantic relationship with one of the Sambazi brothers, Obvious. Media reports at the time highlighted that he was twice her age and married.

Despite the ensuing controversy, wedding bells soon rang for the Dominican Convent student, and she quickly had two children. She subsequently vanished from screens for over a decade, resurfacing years later as a socialite.Chimbetete, on the other hand, navigated his burgeoning media career more cautiously. He ascended within the media stratosphere, embracing various roles, and expertly leveraged his growing brand to further his professional life.

According to his social media, he remains actively involved in a wide range of media work. He briefly ventured into music under the stage name Tulk Munny, but that dream faded as swiftly as it began.Jerome GalileoAt the zenith of their fame, Kidznet’s premier presenters were rightly seen as the princes and princesses of Zimbabwean Television. They were Zimbabwe’s answer to the Disney stars emerging from Hollywood at the turn of the century.

Zimbabwean children, accustomed to South African shows on SABC and eTV, finally had their own local stars and programmes they could truly resonate with.Kidznet also introduced other notable programmes, including the popular edutainment show Youth.Com, presented by youthful stars such as Arthur “Mr Rimz” Marime and Jerome Galileo. Both have since relocated to South Africa; Galileo continues his media career and previously featured in the popular eTV soap opera Scandal, alongside numerous advertisements. Sadly, much like many former Kidznet presenters, Mr Rimz’s popularity waned.There was also the Tonderai Katsande-produced Kidznet Spotlight, Zimbabwe’s answer to Idols, designed to unearth young talent.For Makanaka and Chimbetete, the path to superstardom seemed wide open.

At that time, anyone suggesting their careers had already peaked during their adolescence would have been met with laughter. They were young, gifted, and seemingly blessed by the television gods at such a tender age. Yet, as is often the case, good things rarely last, and their story became another cautionary tale of fame’s transient nature.Negative off-screen publicity soon emerged, with reports of “bad behaviour” in public spaces grabbing newspaper headlines.

These young talents became unwitting victims of their own rapid ascent to fame.But how did it all go so wrong for the talented Makanaka and other young stars whose breakthroughs came courtesy of Kidznet? Makanaka’s decline has been well-documented, and she herself has not shied away from recounting her experiences.“I was very popular during the days I was on TV and because of that I was exposed to many things,” she revealed during a Plan International meeting with traditional chiefs, advocating against child marriages. “I was invited to a lot of functions and some during the night. That is when I met a businessman who sweet-talked me and because of money and the type of life that he led, I was lured.

I ended up getting pregnant.”Her marriage at a young age raised serious alarm bells, prompting child support groups to attempt prosecuting her then-husband. The couple has since divorced. Makanaka, then a Form Three student, fiercely defended her marriage against criticism, even visiting The Herald newspaper to celebrate her marital bliss.

However, Makanaka was under-age when she married, becoming a victim of child marriage. She had two children by the tender age of 18.Child marriage, defined as “any marriage carried out below the age of 18 years, before the age a girl is not physiologically and psychologically ready to shoulder the responsibilities of marriage and childbearing,” is now explicitly prohibited by Zimbabwe’s Constitution, which clarifies that a person can found a family only from the age of 18. Makanaka, regardless of her personal desires, was legally incapable of consenting to marriage.

The adults in her life, who had the responsibility to consent on her behalf, ultimately bear the blame for her misfortune.Susan Makore, former ZBC Television Services CEO during Kidznet’s dominance, attributed the struggles of many young stars to a lack of growth opportunities within the industry. “I think it’s a growth thing. It’s a process,” she reflected.

“Look at where we were starting. From the time we got independence in 1980, we only started Kidznet in 2001-2002, which was years later, we now start having local presenters being role models. So I think it’s a process, as we grow as a nation we will have more child stars.”Makore also highlighted the lack of competitive platforms.“The other aspect you need to look at is the lack of competition in terms of spaces to put these young stars.

You’ve only got ZBC, which is one channel. “In other countries, you’ve got a children’s channel and you’ve ten, fifteen channels that are broadcasting. So it means that in terms of having more children growing up and seeing themselves as role models and promoting the broadcast institution as a place to work, a place to grow and a place to make a living.

“That will come in time. I’m sure now, as we’re talking about this whole digitisation era, we will also look at this.”Elevate your thoughts by sending your feedback: Email: [email protected], WhatsApp +263784202559.Share on FacebookPost on XFollow usSave

Originally published on Zimbabwe Herald

Source: Zimbabwe Herald