Tikuferanji goes on Times TV
The popular soap Tikuferanji run by Adventist Development Relief Agency (Adra), which has been airing on MBC TV for many years, will now be screening on Times Television starting Saturday from 7:30pm.
Adra Deputy Country Director, Michael Usi, popularly known as Manganya confirmed the development on Thursday.
“It’s true Tikuferanji will now be screening on Times TV. We are very happy that we have come to Times and we hope people will still follow the soap,” said Usi.
Tikuferanji has been airing on both MBC TV and radio and asked if it will be the same with Times which is a home to Times Radio, Times Television and newspapers namely The Daily Times, The Sunday Times, Malawi News, Business Times and online outlet www.times.mw, Usi said for now he can only talk about the television.
“We are still in discussions on the other platforms but for the television we have finalised the deal,” he said.
On why they have decided to take the soap to Times while they still have a contract with MBC for the soap, Usi said:
“The contract with MBC has not expired but MBC has refused to broadcast our episodes and so we had no choice but to move on. This is what I can say for now but for the other issues let me not comment much.”
He maintained that there was no bad blood between them and MBC but “in this time of democracy and with so many media houses, when one channel proved prohibitive, we had to go for another channel.”
“We are looking forward to a good cooperation with Times. We would like to thank MBC for being with us the past years in hard and easy times. We have learnt several lessons which will help us to move forward and hope they have also learnt something,” said Usi.
Usi, who as a comedian and actor, has also been instrumental starring in the soap, said Tikuferanji is an advocacy programme which carries the voice of the people.
“Tikuferanji is not for Michael Usi or Adra but purely for Malawians.
And so people who have advice out there or issues, this is their platform as long the issues fall within the guidelines,” he said.
Times Group Chief Commercial Manager, Dumisani Ngulube, said they were thankful to Adra for selecting Times to air one of the popular soaps.
“As Times Group we are excited to partner with Adra and convey messages to the masses. We talk to millions of Malawians every day. We have a clean record in partnerships with organisations who intend to communicate to Malawians.
“This partnership comes in natural as we progress as Malawi’s undisputed market leader. Malawi should expect more in 2016,” said Ngulube.
He said they are even happier in that they will be screening Tikuferanji at a time when Times television has clocked two years.
Apart from Usi, some of the actors that star in Tikuferanji which among others tackle, HIV and Aids issues include gospel musician Mlaka Maliro, Jeremiah Mwaungulu and Ruth Simika better known as Make Sikono.
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