Award-Winning Zimbabwean Short Documentary Modified Into Film 
The film details the lives, dreams and hard work of Liyana, a band for the disabled from Bulawayo's King George VI school 
The film follows the group’s eight members who have various handicaps, yet live independently and have managed to win devoted audiences from rural Zimbabwe to Hollywood. Loli and Rex, an international production house, has come up with a longer version of its award-winning documentary, Music by Prudence. The latest film, iThemba, premiered at Prince Edward School last week with support from the United States Embassy in Harare. IThemba, means “hope” in the local Ndebele language. This is the first time the film, which has been shown in other countries, is being screened in Zimbabwe. The film follows the lives, dreams and hard work of Liyana, a band from the King George VI school for the disabled in Bulawayo. The group’s eight members have various handicaps, yet live independently and have won audiences across the globe. The producers and cast have since been invited to give screenings around the country following the first premier in Harare. The film was shot during the 2008 presidential election when the country’s economy was in a dramatic meltdown, and follows the cast through their daily struggles to find basic enmities such as cash, food and, all while trying to navigate their way around cities that aren't wheel chair accessible. Academy Award winning producer Elinor Burket says the film is an eye opener for people to real issues facing thousands around the country. She told VOA Studio 7 reporter Tatenda Gumbo she hopes change can come to people living with disabilities.