Leonard Matsa CV

CV of Leonard Matsa

Contact Details:

Physical/Postal Address

4192 Glen Norah A

Harare

Tel / Cell: +263-773 527 334 (also whatsapp)

Email(s) mashumba1@gmail.com / leonard_matsa@yahoo.com

Skype: leonard.matsa     #Twitter: @Leonard_Matsa        #Facebook & LinkedIn: Leonard Matsa Instagram: @mashumba1 Blog: http://leonardmatsa.blogspot.com/

Born 1^st August 1974, Leonard Matsa resides in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital where he continues to work in film, television, radio and the stage full time. He is a holder of a Zimbabwean Passport valid to 2023.

Currently the Creative and Artistic Manager at Savanna Trust, an arts for development organisation that uses the arts to transform communities. Matsa has vast experience as a practising artist as well as an Arts Administrator and Manager.

In 2005, Matsa wrote and then co-directed the hilarious two-men stage play Ghetto Superstars (a 2005 Sarungano Production). Did the tele-play for S.J Chifunyise’s stage-play Face to Face (Zanzibar 2002) broadcasted more than once on local ZTV station.  

Before that, Matsa had co-written with Raisedon Baya, the now banned in Zimbabwe stage-play, Super Patriots and Morons (Theatre In The Park 2003) nominated the Amnesty International Award 2007. His 2000 adaption/edition of Ganyau Express got rave press reviews playing to near full houses and nominated best script at the inaugural edition of NAMA prompting the follow-up editions of the same play, to be based on Matsa’ version.

In 2002 Leonard did the story, screenplay and was also Assistant Director in Creative Native’s short film LIFE. For IIFF/WFOZ’S award winning Peretera Maneta, Leonard Matsa was the Assistant Director.

For 2006 IIFF’s Break-through project on producing music videos, Leonard went on to direct Kombayi and Chinamanenji’s music video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmvCd4gUxfs . Was Assistant Director in Dudu Manhenga’s music video Ewuwe during the same project.

Some of his credits:

TELEVISION

·         Co-writer / Script Editor – Studio 263 - Episodes 1-26 (PSI/ZTV 2001) these episodes dislodged the Main news (2000hrs) of Zbc/tv as the most watched program, a first in Zimbabwe history.

·         Script Editor/Asst. Director – Patsime’s Suburb D. 2006/7 TV drama series – Epis 1-13.

·         Production Manager – Wize-Up a Talk show on Sexual and Reproduction Rights.

FILM

·         Screenwriter – Face to Face – feature length (2005)

·         Life – a short film by Sarungano Media Trust produced by Rooftop Promotions (2002)

·         Co-Writer and Director – Article VII documentary on political violence & national healing in Zim – (based on the audience responses to the stageplay Rituals by S.J Chifunyise). Best Local Production ZIFFT 2010.

·         Production Manager – Something Nice from London, a Latimer Media (UK) and British Council Zimbabwe film. 2013 (see trailer http://latimergroup.org/something-nice-from-london-trailer/

·         Production Manager – Tumbuka the documentary 2014. a Latimer Media (UK) and British Council Zimbabwe film.

·         Asst Director – Playing Warriors – by Rumbie Katedza (feature film) 2011.

·         Asst Director – Nyaminyami Film – Directed by Tsitsi Dangarebga – 2009

·         Production Asst – in Vengeance Is Mine – UNESCO (2000).

·         Asst. Director in Ice Films’ and ZIFF short film PLAYA (2001).

·         Asst Director – The Return – short film by Zim International Film Festival -2007.

·         Asst Director – The Truck Driver – Best short film ZIFFT 2007.

·         Co-Producer – Dogs and Pigs – Documentary (post production).

·         Project Coordinator – in the translation and versioning of Steps to the Future HIV/AIDS film series from English to Zambia’s Nyanja, Bemba and Chichewa – DAY ZERO (S.A) AND Tops Enterprises (Zim) 2004.

THEATRE

·         Co-writer – 2007/8 stage-play On The 7^th Day – A Savanna Trust Production.

·         Dramaturgy – a writers exchange program between Sweden and Zimbabwean writers 2014/2015 - https://sv-se.facebook.com/Integrationsteatern

·         Director – No Cause – Hifa 2013

·         Writer – Translucent Ink – 2007 stage-play on youth participation in elections.

·         Co-Writer and Asst Director – a stage play on cultural diversity by Panthera (UK) and Rooftop (ZIM) for DFID (2005) performed at St Lucia Park. (2005).

·         Script Consultant – Decades Of Terror – a (2007) stage production by Savanna Trust.

·         Script Consultant – Madam Speaker Sir! – a (2007) stage production by Savanna Trust.

·         Script Consultant – Final Push – a (2007) stage production by Vhitori Entertainment.

·         Co-Writer - Super Patriots and Morons

·         Writer and co-Director - Ghetto Super Stars.

·         And countless community for development plays

RADIO

·         Co-Writer – 7 episodes of a radio series Remembering Maiguru Mai Reward focusing on Gende Based Violence by Savanna Trust (2014/2015).

·         Writer – 7 Episodes on Social Cohesion and Peace Building – “Along Pamushika shika Avenue”.

·         Writer – 6 Episodes of a radio series Remembering Maiguru Mai Reward focusing on Gende Based Violence by Savanna Trust (2016).

·         https://soundcloud.com/savanna-trust/gbv-radio-drama-episode-3?fb_action_ids=801673603245100&fb_action_types=og.shares&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B954387754585564%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.shares%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

(these episodes are in Shona language).

FESTIVALS

-       He has worked as the Festival co-ordinator for annual Protest Arts International Festival (PAIF) for three editions.

Matsa is the founder of the arts organisation, Sarungano Media Trust (SMT), the producers of Ghetto Super Stars 2005 (Theatre in the Park).

Has served as Jury Member at Zimbabwe International Film Festival (2003 and 2014) in the main features category. At the Zimbabwe Arts Academy for Development Leonard Matsa has lectured in the script-writing class (film) for their Diploma in Media Studies – accredited with the Midlands State University as well as their short courses in screen writing.

Leonard worked at Savanna Trust from 2007 to 2014 as their Information and Documentation Officer and Human Rights and Democracy Program officer (2015). He is the Creative and Artistic Manager (2016).

With Savanna, Leonard has conducted script writing, play development and arts marketing workshops with community theatre groups as well as practicing main-stream theatre and screen writers around the country – Zimbabwe. He has also conducted citizen journalism (stills/video documenting as well as micro-blogging) training course with community based theatre groups.

His Educational and Skills Training Background:

·         8 “O” Level passes, Cambridge 1991.

·         3 “A” Level passes and One Subsidiary distinction, Cambridge 1994.

·         LLB – Undergrad (UNISA).

·         UNESCO-ZIMBABWE FILM & VIDEO TRAINING Film making Course (2001)

·         UNESCO-ZIMBABWE FILM & VIDEO TRAINING – Documentary production Course – 2001/2.

·         Expert Communications and branding in Civil Society Course (S.A) – 2009

·         Project Management Certificate – HIVOS / SA

·         Computer Literate.

Before submitting to the call of the Arts, Matsa did numerous odd jobs from as low as packing sugar in a refinery company to being a counter sales man in a tyre company. Was research person on Zimbabwe’s export and tourism industry, internet marketing and many other odd jobs – experiences that have come handy in his Art.

He enjoys life and leads an exciting social life. Well, his opinion! His passion, the unusual. Matsa is a Patriot and God fearing. He is married to Tendai Mambo and the two are blessed with two kids, Ruvarashe Matsa (10yrs) and Kudzaishe (5yrs).

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/ CURTAINS