‘Death keeps robbing me’

Veronica Gwaze

BEHIND the warm smile that legendary actress Jesesi Mungoshi wears is a heartbroken woman, who has been robbed by death countless times.

She often finds it difficult to hold herself together and breaks down, as painful memories flood her mind.

A few years ago, Jesesi lost Dr Charles Mungoshi — her husband of 45 years. As she was in the process of healing, she also lost her sister in July this year.

“She was a mother figure. Through her, I met Dr Mungoshi. Sadly, I failed to attend her burial as I was hospitalised on the day,” said Jesesi, as she fought back tears.

It appears the illustrious actress has for long been haunted by death and, subsequently, tears and grief.

Jesesi rose to fame in the early 90s after featuring in the film “Neria”, which was directed by the late Godwin Mawuru. In the film, she played the lead role of Neria, a woman who is widowed and later ill-treated by her late husband’s family.

The late Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi was part of the cast.

Although the two, Jesesi and Dr Tuku, remained friends over the years, they did not work on other projects together.

An opportunity for the two revered artistes to collaborate again presented itself in 2018, but Dr Tuku passed away the following year, before the project was completed.

Resultantly, Jesesi abandoned the project.

But this was more like a déjà vu for her.

The death of another veteran artiste, Walter Muparutsa, in 2012, had also forced Jesesi to abandon yet another project they were working on before its completion.

“We had gathered content for the films we were working on but I had to abandon everything because the plan was for us to do it together,” she said while staring into space. “The grief is too much; death keeps robbing me!”

Tough times

When Dr Mungoshi became ill in 2006, Jesesi thought it would be for a short while.

She continued working on her different projects, hoping he would be back on his feet. However, as days turned into weeks, months and years, his condition worsened.

Suddenly, it became difficult for her to balance work and give Dr Mungoshi attention. At some point, while her mates camped in Chihota, where they were working on a project, Jesesi had to drive to and from home daily.

“I could not camp. I had to be close to my husband. I would leave home at four in the morning and return in the evenings.

“Then came a time when we had to shoot at night. I was forced to have him admitted to a local rehabilitation centre for four days.

“When he was discharged, my heart sank. His condition had deteriorated and I could tell that he did not enjoy being there.”

This, naturally, forced Jesesi to quit working. Her husband’s sickness cost her a thriving career and many other things as she had to nurse him, full-time, for over a decade.

She would use all means possible to raise funds for medical bills. The State, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, corporates and individuals also assisted.

One of Dr Mungoshi’s books, “Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness”, was auctioned while he was already under the weather. “It pains me that he did not live to enjoy the fruits of a book that took him 21 years to put together,” she said.

“I am not yet back at work. All the films that were released after his death are projects that I worked on when he was still alive. I was avoiding mingling. However, I will be back; I have a lot to offer.”

Sorrow/Advice

Jesesi still has fresh memories of her husband’s last days and is yet to come to terms with his demise — some four years later.

“It was a difficult, long phase. He suffered for some time yet his death still caught me off guard. I prayed daily throughout his battle; death defeated my faith, forcing me to have an emotional breakdown,” she said.

In happier times, the revered arts couple used to go on holiday. Jesesi reckons this was a way of preserving the spark in their relationship. The prolific writer, she added, spent time with his children despite his often-busy schedule. He also had storytelling moments with his grandchildren.

“We did everything together and I feel the void,” said Jesesi. Dr Mungoshi was also known for his rib-cracking jokes and it is what attracted her to the writer.

But it was not always rosy in their marriage. “When he (Dr Mungoshi) was working, gathering characters for his projects, he would drink heavily.

“We clashed over that. I would feel lonely and upset because we could not discuss or plan things. With time, I understood what he was going through. Sadly, three of his friends ended up divorced because of similar character,” revealed Jesesi.

Young couples, she said, should learn to be patient and support each other for their marriages to stay intact.

“We loved, respected and supported each other. We also made decisions together. Even when we got upset with each other, we discussed our issues in private and no one got to know.”

The return

Jesesi is set to return to the big screen with a new film titled “The Slave who became Chief”.

The film is derived from Dr Mungoshi’ s children’s book “Stories from a Shona Childhood”. This is a collection of short stories. The project will feature popular singer and aspiring actor Jah Prayzah, whose real name is Mukudzei Mukombe.

“Farai Mungoshi developed the short story into a visual feature film and soon we will be shooting. We are still securing funds and also considering doing a trailer to lure sponsorship,” said Jesesi.