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remains unknown in Zimbabwe.
“Kabhasikoro” is one of the few former street theatre actors who have a success story to tell.
He will be part of African actors who will be performing in Zambia to promote the UNWTO General Assembly co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Now based in Ghana, the veteran actor – who has featured in more than five Nigerian movies – is in the country to shoot his new DVD as well as to vote.
“These are interesting times. I came here to cast my ballot. I will be shooting a one-man comedy. Kireni Zulu wrote the script and I also want to organise a memorial service for the late street theatre actor, Nyimo,” he said. “Kabhasikoro” lived in Nigeria for six years before relocating to Ghana.
“There were tribal issues in Nigeria, so Cleam Ohemes – who is the producer of Annex production company – advised me to go to Ghana. In Ghana I did a production called ‘My Wife’ that we are going to launch in August,” he said.
Popularly known as Kabhasikoro from his street theatre days, the actor featured in “Alice My First Lady”, “Hotel Rwanda 2”, “The Real Life” and “World Apart 1 & 2”.
The Nollyhood star first made his debut on the local small screen when he acted alongside the legendary Lazarus Boora in “NdiGringo Chete” and since then he has not looked back. He also featured in local drama called “Zuku”. The actor at one time worked for Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings as assistant producer for radio dramas such as “Chibhodhoro”, “Dambe naMwari” and “Marara”.
He said his life changed completely when he won the Best African Movie Comedy Act sponsored by Annex Merchandising in 2005. The actor first landed his main role in the film “The Pumpkin”.
The award-winning actor said Zimbabwe had more talent compared to Nigeria but the problem was lack of sponsorship. He also noted that Nigerians take art as a full-time job.
“We have talented artistes in the country but we do not have the resources. Some of our actors are born with the gift and they have never studied acting but given the chance and platform they can scale to greater heights. The reason why Nigerian films flourish across the continent is because of marketing. They know how to advertise their products,” he said.
“Kabhasikoro” bemoaned rampant piracy as the other reason why artistes die as paupers in the country.
“It’s disheartening to know that some of Zimbabwean artistes are still poor in spite of spending many years in the entertainment industry. Think of Muwengwa (the late Nevernay Chinyanga), one of the country’s finest actors of our generation, people had to contribute for his burial. It’s very sad,” Kabhasikoro lamented.
The actor said the heavens have smiled on him, as he now owns a house in Hatfield.
“I now have a place to I can call home and I have signed a five-year contract with Annex Productions,” he said.
Born in 1980, Kabhasikoro is married to Pamela Gumunya and they have a five-year-old daughter Lewen.
“I have one child and I wish to have more but the problem is my wife has had several miscarriages,” said the actor.
Online Reporter