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ZTV viewers will easily remember him for spotting ropy dreadlocks, easy-going and would share witty jokes in the soap opera Studio 263.
A cunning and intelligent actor who doubled as a sangoma and journalist, Stanley Mambo easily won the hearts of many back in the day.
By performing dual roles effortlessly in Studio 263, it was enough for Mambo to show his versatility.
For him, he only needed a short stint in the production alongside top actors to show the world that he was born a natural actor.
When the soap was discontinued in 2007, he quickly moved on and used the experience he had garnered in film and theatre as a stepping stone.
To the surprise of his peers, Mambo chose Malawi as a sanctuary to pursue his career in film and theatre despite having many other options overseas.
Unlike most of his peers whose careers ended with Studio 263’s demise, Mambo used that flirtation as a springboard to showcase his real calling in theatre.
After all, he had spent the greater of his life either as a theatre producer, director or actor.
After disappearing from the radar for years, Mambo is reportedly making waves in Malawi.
In an interview with The Herald on Saturday Lifestyle, the Chitungwiza-bred actor and theatre director was in high spirits.
“I am living in Malawi now because my father was a Malawian living in Zimbabwe.
“In Malawi, I am still an actor, director and arts entrepreneur still owning our company Mwezi Arts, which started about 24 years back in Zimbabwe as Mwezi Entertainment Productions.
“We are still producing theatre productions and running our venue in Lilongwe called Madsoc Theatre, where we also host different productions from other companies in Malawi and outside Malawi.
“We also do different services within the arts industry like creative consultation, lighting and concerts,” said Mambo during a recent tour of South Africa.
The actor was also glad to have quickly settled in Malawi.
“As it is branded, Malawi is the warm heart of Africa and the hospitality I have in Malawi is marvellous, they are honest people, welcoming and so attentive to assist visitors.
I have had the best time of my life in Malawi and that is why I chose to live there despite the other choices I had to go elsewhere.”
Despite settling in Malawi, Mambo still enjoys strong connections with Zimbabwe.
“All of my work is sort of Zimbabwe-bound and the productions that I have done in Europe, I always wished I would perform in them theatres in Zimbabwe. Currently, we are touring South Africa with the State of the Ape production.
“We have been talking to three venues in Zimbabwe to do the shows in Harare and Bulawayo.
“I am sure we will manage to bring it to Zimbabwe. We have been touring with it for two years now since 2023.”
Mambo, who enjoys rave reviews in Malawi, has greater plans for 2025.
“Next year, I am looking forward to my first film project, which I hope we will produce in early 2026 but here we are finalising the script and we will look into the financial aspects.
“I feel Zimbabwe is one of the countries where I should premiere my work and participate in all the festivals.”
He also gave an honest assessment of talent in Zimbabwe.
“I have never experienced a country with huge talent and a huge potential to have enough productions or unique productions going outside or related or connected to tour history.
“The only disadvantage is lack of training resources, less attention being given to theatre and film and we need programmes specifically designed for the kids in their education curriculum.
“Where I am right now in South Africa, there are many theatre laboratories which are accessible like the one you have in Zimbabwe, -the Zimbabwe Theatre Academy.”
Mambo also hailed local filmmakers and theatre practitioners for their hard work.
“From my point of view, there has been a huge improvement in the Zimbabwe film and theatre sector.
“There have been good movies coming out from the country on Netflix, winning awards.
“There are also crew members working outside Zimbabwe.
“Talking of Theatre, we have had new venues around the city like Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre I Harare.
Revisiting Studio 263, Mambo said the stint helped him in his growth.
“Studio 263 was such a vibrant project. For me, I was lucky to be on a year’s contract as a full-time actor, which was a marvellous experience.
“What I miss about Studio 263 are the different encounters with characters like Mai Huni, Mudhara Jari and others.
“It was a moment I realised how unique it was and how much we took it for granted. We did not realise how important the opportunity was,” recalled Mambo.
He added: “Many Zimbabwean television viewers get to know me in Studio 263 besides many years in theatre in France.
“It was quite an eye-opening experience for us, relating with the writers, observing the directors.”
On his calling as an actor, Mambo believes he was born one.
“I grew up with a passion for film, theatre and story-telling was my cup of tea.
“In school, my interest was in the percussion band, traditional dances and drama groups.”
Mambo said he got his breakthrough from the late Catholic priest Father Michael Chidewe who nurtured his talent.
“In the church parish that I attended, we used to do Christmas plays or simple Bible plays where there was a good attention given to me.
“Our local parish priest Father Michael Chitere sent me to Silveira House to train drama.
“He even blessed me to start my own theatre company after the training.”
As a seasoned actor-cum-director, Mambo advised upcoming creatives to be focused.
“There is no professional that puts food on the table or luxuries on the table without working for it or without an effort.
“Film or theatre demands triple effort to be able to make it.
“Be sure you want to be a filmmaker, theatre practitioner, and television personality before you take it.”
But who is this actor and theatre director?
The actor was born Stanley Malizani Mambo, being the last born in a family of three boys.
He grew up in Chitungwiza and went to Seke 11 Primary School.
Afterwards, he enrolled at Seke 3 High for his secondary education.
He also went to Silveira House for his drama training and later attended the Amakhosi Laboratory Theatre in Bulawayo. He became a professional actor in 1994 and got his first international production in 1996.
Mambo once managed Willom Tight before he toured Reunion Island with the production, “Conquered Plans”.
He is married to Hazel Musochera and the couple has five children.
Mambo also has another one out of wedlock making them six.
He was raised by simple parents who were into politics, music and burial societies.
As we celebrate Mambo’s resilience, his fairy tale is that of determined African who always remembers his ancestral lands to recharge his waning fortunes but still appreciates where he was raised.
Online Reporter