Behold! Gringo reborn

Prince Mushawevato

WHEN Lazarus Boora passed away, many thought the “Gringo” drama series and the character were dead and buried as well.

Gringo was initially Enock Chihombori’s cartoon character, which was later adapted for television and adopted by ZBC TV.

It became an instant hit with viewers in 1999.

Its plot and subplots revolved around Gringo.

The character, supported by a star-studded cast, appealed across the generational divide.

Talk of the exploits of the unpredictable Mbudziyadhura (Blessing Chimhowa), Baba naMai Gweshegweshe (played by William Matenga and the late Sithembeni Makawa), John Banda (the late Collin Dube), Madhumbe (Memory Makuri), Tobby Waters (Chihombori) and his girlfriend Anna, Gweshegweshe’s daughter.

This was certainly a must-watch drama on the small screen.

The creator of the series probably faced a daunting task in keeping the production running after losing key members of the cast — especially Lazarus (Gringo) — to the Grim Reaper.

The veteran comedian succumbed to a combination of health complications on November 9, 2020.

Lazarus was not just the show’s lead; his character, Gringo, was the very heart and soul of the drama.

Recasting felt like an insult to the legacy of the late actor.

Scrapping the entire project looked like the only option for Chihombori.

But Lazarus’ son, Taurai, who was at first hesitant in following his father’s footsteps due to the late patriarch’s disapproval, decided to give it a go.

“My father initially did not want me to be an actor. He wanted me to concentrate on schoolwork and perhaps become a qualified professional,” said Taurai.

“The only other thing that he supported me to do outside class was sport. I was a basketball player and also good at athletics.”

He attended Nhamburiko Primary School and did Form One and Two at Brilliant College, both in Dzivaresekwa, Harare, before moving to a school in Hatfield.

“Around 2008, I did not stay with my father. So, I would frequently take part in drama activities at school. However, that all came to an end after I moved to Hatfield to stay with him.

“I stopped focusing on the arts. He told me the arts industry was not good and he did not want me to experience some of the bad things that he had gone through.”

Since getting a well-deserved shot with the Gringo character, Taurai is yet to disappoint.

He appears to have smoothly fitted into the late actor’s shoes, if the youngster’s performance in “The Return of Gringo” drama series is anything to go by.

The series premiered late last year at Ster Kinekor, Joina City, Harare, and is now in season two, with six episodes already released.

Season one had 13 episodes.

And positive rave reviews have been coming through.

“He (Lazarus) did not know that I was a solid actor. When we talk of arts, he considered me to be more of a choreographer. However, we met one day in Rusape, around 2012.

“That was the first time that he saw me in action. The occasion helped change his mind and he started supporting my acting career,” narrated Taurai.

“The Return of Gringo” series features some of the old cast that used to work with Lazarus, among them Mbudziyadhura, Gweshegweshe and Godobori.

However, what has left viewers spellbound are the exploits of Taurai and his nuanced performances.

He is astonishingly acing the Gringo character, yet he remains humble and ambitious.

“I refined my acting skills when I was in Form Two. There was a Radio Zimbabwe presenter whose wife wrote scripts. Her wife came to our school and asked our principal for me to be a character in one of her scripts,” he added.

“I was reluctant but the head and everyone else at school forced me to accept the offer. I settled for a role that I thought best suited me, but it was later changed. I got a new role and they were impressed.

“After my Ordinary Level, I was told to go and stay in our rural home in Rusape. It is there that I got a chance to join Pamukwidza Arts Club and further refined my acting skills. We performed in Mutare, Rusape and other surrounding areas.”

The budding actor has clearly surprised many.

He possesses a striking resemblance to his father, but, more importantly, he has a raw charisma and depth in his performance.

Taurai said he is not trying to be his father.

He has brought his own interpretation to the role, honouring the legacy while forging his own path.

“My style is natural. I do not copy his style. I sometimes laugh at the things I do because it equally surprises me. But one thing for certain is that we share similar traits.

“Mdhara (Lazarus) was also a choreographer and presenter. Many people did not know about it because there was no social media back then,” revealed Taurai.

The rising actor took over the Gringo role aged 28.

His soft but imposing voice, as well as commanding stage presence, makes him a jewel for any producer.

Critics have lauded Taurai’s performance, calling it a fitting tribute and the birth of a new star.

He certainly is a worthy successor and has received tremendous support from the veterans who worked with his father.

But did he initially feel nervous on set?

“I have always known that I am an actor . . . I wrote my first play ‘Nzombe Nemhuru’ when I was still in Rusape with Pamukwidza Arts Club. I asked my father to be part of the cast. He reluctantly agreed.

“But this further bolstered my confidence. When I joined the Gringo production, everything flowed smoothly because the senior guys respected me. I am like a son to them but they still show me great respect. They have kept me in line. I also thank God for the support.”

Lazarus might be gone, but his legacy, it appears, is far from over.

Taurai is married and the couple is blessed with a son.

“I still have more to offer. I wish to put Zimbabwe on the global map. We need to come up with productions that have a universal appeal. I have several scripts and productions in the pipeline.

“Financial challenges have been my major setback. I self-fund most of the projects that I do. Minimal sponsorship has been coming through. If we get proper funding, our fans will get breathtaking productions.”

Before being part of Chihombori’s “Gringo” concept, the youthful actor had been working on several productions under Pwaaaakaskits.

A member of the Apostolic sect, Taurai neither drinks nor smokes. He, however, has unconditional love for food — of course, minus pork products.