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Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Entertainment Editor
He has written, directed and produced many great films, television soaps and drama series.
During his days on television, he became the most hated character.
In most productions screened on television and aired on radio then, he either starred as a villain or a hero.
An accomplished storyteller and actor, he has done everything in drama, theatre and film-making.
Should we call him our own ‘Steven Spielberg’ because of his Midas Touch and timeless productions?
Just like Hollywood actor and stuntman Tom Cruise, it might be ‘mission impossible’ as he wishes to entertain viewers.
Each time he walks on the streets, some fans remember his bad side but he does not care much about the roles.
When it comes to local television and film-making, his name cannot be ignored.
His name is Aaron Chiundura-Moyo.
The 74-year-old novelist, actor-cum-author is now an oasis of knowledge.
Some have said that he is not getting old as he is becoming wiser.
This reminds us of the story of Brad Pit in the movie, “The Curse of Benjamin Butto” where he was growing young and backward.
Taking The Herald Arts down memory lane, one could tell that he is now wiser and more intelligent than before.
Many are curious to know where he is now and how he recalls his former times.
By the way, a lot has been written and said about him.
Chiundura-Moyo said with all the glory, most of the dramas he wrote, he never acted in them but was happy to see how they were adapted.
“There are a lot of TV dramas that I have written but never acted in them which are ‘Ziva Kwawakabva’, ‘Tiri Parwendo’, ‘Pedyo Kure’ and the popular soap I created ‘Studio 263’. I wrote and acted in ‘Chioko-muhomwe’, ‘Madhunamutuna’, ‘Masimba’, ‘Ndabve Zera’, ‘Zevezeve’, ‘Zviri Mudendere Part 1 and 2’,” he said.
“I sometimes choose one between writing and acting so that I have a connection with viewers. Of course, I write and act with emotions and as such one day long after filming when I view certain scenes that carry feelings, if I do not get moved like any ordinary viewer, I would have failed that role.”
He said he enjoyed playing the villain characters in local dramas although fans hated him for that.
“I played bad guy in most of my dramas and as a result, viewers hated me for those roles,” he said.
“I remember certain churches praying and asking God to strike me for the role I had played in ‘Madhunamutuna.'”
“In 1990-1991, I nearly went to the police to seek protection.
“The only time I played good guy and faced no challenges from the viewers was when I played Matanda’s role in ‘Zviri Mudendere.’ In this one, it was the Kanyemba’s role which was played by Daniel Tapera. I got different reactions from the viewers and experienced positive and negative remarks.”
So, what is his last project then?
“My last television drama series is ‘Pedyo Kure’ which I could not continue due to lack of funding. I stopped working on it five years ago in the middle of producing it. The last film I worked as both the scriptwriter and director is ‘Rujeko’ in 2018.”
“I stay in Glen View 3 and my 19th book was published in 2020 entitled ‘Chabvondoka’, which is an “O” level set-book. The book was inspired by historical events that took place during the arrival of Cecil John Rhodes’ army and especially how the land was taken by force and divided into farms through the use both the gun and religion,” he explained.
“I would say it was also inspired by the late Cde Herbert Chitepo’s speech on the importance of land.
“To some extent this book is inspired by my other book which is an “A” level set-book entitled ‘Kuridza Ngoma Nedemo’ which was published in 1984 and deals with land questions resulting in the grabbing of white men’s farms. I write for my dear readers not for myself and have discovered that different readers do like different books. That is normal. I cannot tell which book is the best book since I do not write for myself.”
Chiundura-Moyo confirmed that he had been scarce in the industry.
“I have indeed been quiet for some time now when it comes to television dramas and film but something is brewing. Someone has been gathering notes on my personal life and some of the questions that people have been asking will be answered in that book,” he said.
“Besides writing and acting, I do coach online and physical training on arts related issues.
“I started writing and acting in Grade Six at Connemara Primary School.
“I got early encouragement for writing from a friend Enock Sibanda who advised me to send my short stories to The Rhodesia Broadcasting African Services in 1969 when I was about to sit for Grade 7 examinations and also from my Form 1 teacher Mr Lovemore Dangare,” he chronicled.
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