Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
NIGERIAN-BASED actress Clara Ngwiringwiri Egwuoba is on a mission to reclaim her heritage by featuring in Zimbabwean productions for the first time.
The actress said she has been steadily carving out a name for herself in Nigeria’s film industry.
Born and raised in Zimbabwe before relocating to Nigeria after marriage, Clara said her life has been shaped by two rich African cultures that continue to influence both her personal journey and her career.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Clara said she was eager to work professionally with Zimbabwean filmmakers.
“I was born and raised in Zimbabwe. I came to Nigeria by marriage, and God has used that journey to place me in two beautiful cultures.
“Zimbabwe is my roots, Nigeria is where I’m growing. I’m blessed to represent both.
“I haven’t had the opportunity to work with Zimbabweans professionally yet but I’m Zimbabwean myself.
“I’m so excited because COCAZ is planning a big production in Nigeria, and that will be my first project with them.”
Clara’s latest performance comes in the faith-based film “Condemned Innocent”, where she portrays Ezinne, a mother caught between tradition, grief and the desperate need to protect her family.
“What drew me to Condemned Innocent was the truth in it. Ezinne is every woman who has been caught between tradition, grief and protecting her children.
“The moment I read Scene 15, where Ezinne is speaking to Ngozi without knowing she’s talking to a spirit, I felt it in my spirit.
“This project is more than entertainment. It’s deliverance. We weren’t just acting.
“On set, we prayed because the story deals with generational curses, bitterness and how false accusations can destroy a family.”
Portraying Ezinne reminded her that innocent people are sometimes condemned unjustly and that silence can allow generations to suffer.
“That role taught me stillness. Before then, I acted with too much noise. It showed me that pain can be quiet and that strength can be seen in the eyes.
“Before that, I used to act with too much noise. But that widow taught me that pain can be quiet, and strength can be in your eyes. That’s what I brought into Ezinne.
“Ezinne doesn’t shout all the time. Sometimes she just looks confused, or she hugs her children tight. That past role shaped me because it taught me that less is more when you’re playing a mother who is hurting.”
Throughout her career, Egwuoba has worked alongside respected Nollywood actors, including Saraphina Amechi, Zubby Michael, Mike Ezuruonye, Ola Daniels and Ebube Obio.
She says the experience has strengthened both her craft and her faith.
“I’ve been blessed to work with directors who are very intentional and DOPs who see emotion before they see camera.
“One director told me, ‘Don’t act the cry. Carry the reason for the cry.’ That changed me completely.
“I’ve also worked with veteran actors and actresses who would pray with me before emotionally demanding scenes. From them, I learned discipline, humility and that acting is ministry.”
Her journey into Nollywood began years ago through a friendship with veteran actress Saraphina Amechi.
“I met Saraphina Amechi during one of my visits to Nigeria while I was still living in Zimbabwe.
“We became friends, and I shared my dream of acting with her. After I relocated, she gave me a small role, and from there my journey began.”
