Bhonzo wallowing in poverty

anyone else is able to narrate.
The 60-year-old Simbarashe is languishing in poverty at a derelict house in Chitungwiza which he inherited from his mother in the 1980s.
The once popular comedian who is being treated for high blood pressure diagnosed in October last year, opened up on his life and his career that started with landing a job with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation in 1981 as well as his romance with the small screen.
The husky-voiced actor once lived it up with fortune and a fleet of top-of-the-range cars including two BMWs, but his fall has reduced him to a pauper.
But Simbarashe has one wish “to meet President Mugabe”.
“I joined the ZBC in 1981 where I worked in the marketing department, that’s when I also ventured into acting,” said the visibly ill Simbarashe.
Talking to him is more or less like going through the rehearsal session of a newly-scripted comedy.
The man is still a small stream that never runs dry especially when it comes to jibes of laughter.
He has a way of bringing out his experiences especially – the not-so-pleasant events that took a toll on his life in the last few years, sometimes openly accusing his former employers of letting him down and disowning him in his hour of need.
He also shifts the blame dramatically to himself, lamenting how he lost all the fortune through lavish spending and beer binges as well as merrymaking with women at the expense of investing during his hey days.
“I feel let down by the companies I was associated with, I also feel disowned by ZBC, I am scuttling for food and I cannot pay for my health bills but my voice is making noise on the air,” he lamented.
“But I feel I am my own enemy, I spent my money foolishly on women, I don’t think I would have been in this position if I had handled my fortune wisely.
“I think my experiences should be a parable to all artists that they must invest and leave a good mark and not blow the money on trinkets as I did,” he said.
He however, says that the local arts industry is rewarding for as long as you take full advantage of the opportunities that come.
“The industry pays very well, I used to drive BMW’s in my hey days and I had enough money to spend,” he said in his usual crackling voice.
Turning to the future Simbarashe said he was ready to come back to the small screen but first he wants to meet President Mugabe – a meeting he said will mark the turning point of his career and life.
“My wish is to meet President Mugabe like what Munyaradzi Chidzonga (the Diamond boy) did, I know that meeting with the President will make me a “Diamond father” and it will mark my resurrection,” he enthused.
He said he already had two scripts for the upcoming comedy series.
“I wrote two scripts when I was ill, if I am to meet the President I will tell him that I do not want money from him but the tools of my trade, a small camera, films, lights, microphone, a computer and if possible a car for ferrying equipment” he said. Bonzo said he was feeling much better and needed to recollect the pieces of his life through getting back to the business that gave him fame and fortune.
“As you can see I am not paralysed neither did I suffer a stroke, so there is nothing that can stop me from working,” he said.
Ever since his unprecedented fall from grace, the “Bonzo ne Chikwata” star has been surviving on handouts from friends and well wishers.
His two children Leona and Simbarashe who are in the Diaspora turned their backs on him.
But Simbarashe says he is not bitter about them even though he feels disowned.
“I do not have any problem with them, I cannot force them to assist me, they will do that at their own time when they feel they want to help,” he said.
The multi-talented comedian said he was grateful to Information Minister Webster Shamu for offering him assistance. He also thanked his friends in South Africa Khekhana and Solomon Tima and other local businesspeople who came to his rescue during his hour of need.