Arron Nyamayaro
Thousands of mourners gathered at Harare Provincial Heroes Acre yesterday to pay their last respects to television actor and liberation war veteran William Gweshegweshe Matenga.
Born in 1963, Matenga was known by two names that reflected different chapters of his life: Cde Bvuma Zvipere, the name by which he was known during the liberation struggle, and Gweshegweshe, the character he played in the television drama series Gringo.
In addition to his service during the liberation struggle and his acting career, Matenga was a trained journalist.
He also served in the Zimbabwe National Army for 36 years. Addressing mourners, Catherine Kampira, a provincial coordinator and director under the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, said Matenga’s life was connected to two powerful chapters in the nation’s story, the struggle for freedom and the stories shared on television.
She urged Zimbabweans to unite in the fight against drug and substance abuse, saying young people were vital to the country’s future.
“Truly, the nation has lost a courageous son, a liberation war veteran and a performer whose presence brought laughter and warmth into countless homes,” Kampira said.
She added: “Before audiences welcomed him into their living rooms, Cde Matenga had served his country during the liberation struggle.
“His courage and commitment belonged to a generation that carried great hardship in pursuit of a free Zimbabwe.
“That service was a profound part of who he was – an enduring expression of love for his country and its people. “In the much-loved television drama series Gringo, and others, Cde Matenga became a familiar and unforgettable presence.
“His character, Gweshegweshe, made audiences laugh, drew them into the drama and earned a special place in the hearts of viewers.
“The name became more than an acting role: it became the way a grateful public remembered him.
“What a remarkable life – to help fight for a country’s freedom, then help entertain and unite its people through television.
Matenga’s legacy lives in both, in the sacrifices of the liberation struggle and in the joy his performances brought to families across Zimbabwe.
“Iye zvino tine hondo yemadrugs kunyanya kuvana vedu, vanova ndivo vatakatarisira to propel the country forward kuti zvakarwirwa nana Cde Bvuma ava zvizadzikiswe.
“As a country we must win this war, and iyi ihondo yedu tese kuti tisunungure vana nevamwevo vanhu vakuru.
“We are in this together. [We must] speak up against drugs and other social ills,” she said.
Among those attending the burial were actors, actresses, scriptwriters, drama producers, journalists and government officials. Matenga is survived by his wife and seven children.
