Inside Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi | Nyasha Hatendi on Producing Cultural Horror in Audio

In Episode 27 of the Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, Talib Jasir sits with Nyasha Hatendi to discuss Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi, the Audible Original supernatural thriller set in Zimbabwe.

Sacrilege follows an American family whose luxury safari turns into a fight for survival after disturbing sacred ground and awakening an ancient spirit known as the Mbirwi. Produced in Dolby Atmos, the audio drama blends cultural horror, generational trauma, and immersive sound design to deliver a cinematic listening experience.

In this conversation, Nyasha reflects on adapting Zimbabwean folklore into a global thriller, developing an Audible Original from concept to production, and navigating storytelling across film, television, and audio drama. We examine how horror reveals emotional and historical tension, how immersive audio builds atmosphere without visuals, and why cultural specificity strengthens international storytelling.

For fiction podcasters, screenwriters, producers, and media creators interested in audio drama, immersive sound, or global narrative development, this episode offers both craft insight and industry perspective.

Listen to Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi on Audible.

Subscribe to Heard! Afros & Audio for more conversations on podcasting, fiction storytelling, and independent media innovation.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to Nyasha Hatendi & Sacrilege 05:00 – The Origin of Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi 10:00 – Zimbabwean Folklore & Cultural Horror 15:00 – Generational Trauma as Narrative Structure 20:00 – Developing an Audible Original 25:00 – Building Immersive Audio in Dolby Atmos 30:00 – Horror as Emotional Truth 35:00 – Moving Between Film, Television & Audio Drama 40:00 – Working with Cast & Performance Direction 45:00 – The Future of Global Audio Storytelling

Listen to Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi exclusively on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Sacrilege-Curse-of-the-Mbirwi-Audiobook/B0F3Y3BKYW?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

Get Tickets for “Master Harold”…and the Boys Running from 04.08 – 05.10.2026 at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, CA

https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/shows/master-harold-and-the-boys

Written By: Athol Fugard

Directed By: Emily Mann & Tarell Alvin McCraney

Featuring: Ben Beatty, Nyasha Hatendi & John Kani