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Latwell Nyangu
VETERAN actor Gibson Nhema, popularly known as Arinestho, who starred a number of local drama series which were screened on ZTV, is living in a one room, battling to even get a meal and struggling to walk because of an illness which has affected his legs.
He rose to fame at the turn of the millennium when he featured in a ZBC Production, Chitsidzo.
It was followed by an appearance in Maimbodei, Fools Day, Maoko Matema, Gamuchirai, Nhapitai, Size Yakanaka, Idya Cheziva, Checkmate and Newspaper, among others.
He is now 68 and is grappling with movement challenges which are limiting his ability to pursue opportunities to earn a living.
Poverty has also hit him hard and he has now resorted to selling some small items at a small market in Glen Norah, where he stays.
He is a frustrated man who bemoans how the industry has sidelined him in his hour of need when it was celebrating him as a star when he was acting in all those drama series.
“I am not happy to use these clutches, tinotoshuwirawo kugara pakanaka. To imagine that I am staying in a small room.
“It’s just a spare room and your legend is staying there.”
His legs are swollen and painful.
“Makumbo aya akatanga kurwadza zviri serious around 2020, ndichitoendawo kuchipatara.
“But due to hardships, I was now failing to go to the hospital and the pain continued to grow.
“Ndaitoendawo kumasowe, zvichimboita zviri nani but now the pain is very sharp.
“Handikwanise kufamba kuenda kure to such an extent that around August last year ndakatobhenda chaiko, musana zvanga zvasangana.
“I used to walk using a stick but now I am using some clutches.
“I reached a point of requesting my colleagues in the industry to help me, trying to get some well-wishers.
“I almost went on a wheelchair, zvaibva zvadhakwa.”
The veteran actor said he is still undergoing some medical tests and this requires a lot of money.
“I am still going for tests and all the doctors are saying I have arthritis in my legs. So far, I have done three tests wand one of the doctors told me that US$25 000 can cover all the tests and treatment.”
He said people should continue to support each other, even in hard times.
“We should look after each other. There are some days when we used to get some money and support each other but now, no one is coming to support me.”
He saluted his wife.
“It’s more than 15 years but the industry is bad. An artist anenge achitodawo kubatsira but zvinhu zvacho hazvina kumira mushe mu industry.
“I have a supporting team but it’s not balancing. So, I am surviving on injections which I am getting but mostly depending on the crutches.
“The legs are painful.
“The joints will not go at the exact position but I only want the pain to go away.
“I am spending most of my time at this small market and my wife is very supportive.”
His journey dates back to the days he used to dance in Kariba.
“I used to dance and I was born in Hurungwe and stayed at the farms.
“This is where I adopted that Mozambiquan language mumadrama. I am not even from Mozambique and I don’t even know the language.
“I am still acting despite my condition and we shot Gamuchira with Mai Meki and Mugomba but, unfortunately, there are no sponsors.”
He added:
“I used to exercise a lot then, one day, when I was acting, I fell sick and went to the hospital where they said, my legs had arthritis.
“Some would say ndakaroiwa since ndaitamba marecords.
“I still remember an incident where I had problems with some nyau dancers who did not like my dancing skills.
“Some think that’s when the problem started but I think, it’s just sickness.”
His wife, Mai Nhema, also bemoaned the lack of support.
“Due to his age, I think, we only want him to have less pain. Makumbo haazoite havo straight.
“We want the pain to go away and I am also appealing to the sponsors to support their veteran artists.
“Zimbabwe yedu ngaitarisewo vanhu vakaita seivava, vane nguva vari muindustry.
“If you look at the artists you feel sorry for them. Look at how Gringo died, it’s not good to celebrate these artists when they are dead.
“It’s better to assist each other munhu achiri mupenyu. People have to celebrate their stars while they are still alive.
“We should not celebrate at the funerals, look at his job now, he is selling at this small market.
“We can’t even afford to buy medicine from the pharmacy,
“Mukaona karoom kaari kugara, it’s very sad to see a man of his status staying in one room. Mangwana vozouya vachiparker mota pamba pake afa or ndini ndinotanga or iye hameno.”
Online Reporter