FOR MANY, CHUCK NORRIS WAS A THROWBACK TO A GOLDEN TIME

Remember Deketeke

THE death of iconic Hollywood star Chuck Norris has stirred a wave of nostalgia across Zimbabwe.

For some, it was a throwback to a time when they used to congregate at a house in their neighbourhood to watch TV and such Hollywood stars.

In Kuwadzana, particularly along 270th Crescent, one household became a hub of entertainment in the mid-80s.

Eveline Chijongwe, who grew up in the suburb, said gaining entry into such homes was not automatic.

“We had a house next door which had a television and a VCR decoder during the mid-1980s,” she said.

“They had almost all the movies and people would gather there from around 7pm to 10pm.”

Admission, however, came with strict conditions.

“You had to be very clean.

“People would bath even twice just to be sure because the owners inspected you before allowing you in,” she said.

For many, the effort was worthwhile.

For those who bathed early, queued patiently and squeezed into crowded living rooms for a glimpse of their favourite action hero, the memories remain vivid.

“It was not just about the movie,” Chijongwe said.

“It was about the experience, the people and the excitement. Chuck Norris was part of that.”

Similar stories echo across the country.

In Mufakose, Themba Ndlovu recalled how entire streets would empty as people converged at a single house where there was a TV.

“We would contribute a few cents or sometimes just help with chores during the day so we could be allowed to watch in the evening,” he said.

“If it was a Chuck Norris film, you made sure you were there early.”

In Glen Norah A, Rudo Mupfumi shared a similar experience, noting that access was often determined by social standing and relationships.

“Some families were strict. You needed to be known or recommended,” she said.

“But once inside, you forgot everything. Watching Chuck Norris fight on that small screen felt like the biggest event.”

The appeal of Chuck Norris and his contemporaries; including Sylvester Stallone and Jean-Claude Van Damme, went beyond entertainment.

Their films became cultural reference points, discussed in schoolyards and workplaces alike.

Popular titles such as Rambo, Bloodsport and Universal Soldier were widely circulated on VHS tapes, often replayed countless times in communal settings.

For some, the experience required even greater sacrifice.

Jonah Mashingaidze from Warren Park 1 said he would walk several kilometres just for the chance to watch an action film.

“We did not have electricity at home then. So, you would hear that there is a Chuck Norris movie being shown somewhere, and you would go,” he said.

“Sometimes you would not even get space inside and had to watch through the window.”

In rural areas, the situation was even more pronounced.

Sithembiso Dube from Murewha recalled how battery-powered televisions became the centre of attention.

“When someone had a TV, it was like a community hall,” she said.

“People would come from different villages. You could not miss a Chuck Norris film, it was talked about for weeks.”