Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE late comedian Charles “Marabha” Mupalume rose to fame over a decade ago as one of the pioneers of street theatre.
His exceptional talent made him a household name, not only in the bustling ghettos of Harare, but also beyond.
Proud of his Epworth neighbourhood, a populous community located approximately 15 kilometres southeast of Harare, Marabha strove to make people laugh.
While fame was his constant companion, fortune remained elusive, rendering him reliant on charity up until his death.
He publicly appealed for help when he fell on hard times, yet he remained positive until he breathed his last.
Marabha’s effortlessly cracked jokes resonated with audiences. His comedic prowess propelled him to prominence.
Alongside fellow pioneers like Freddy Manjalima, popularly known as Kapfupi; and Blessing Vingirai, well-known as Bonjisi, Marabha helped shape the landscape of local skits, as they are known today.
A hero in Epworth, he was adored by his friends and family.
That his legacy will live on was evident even at his burial at Zenyengere Cemetery, where crowds gathered to pay their respects. hero-wo
It is also in Epworth where his umbilical cord lies buried; this is the same community that brought him popularity, which, however, did not translate into financial success.
His peers in the same neighbourhood worshipped him. Even Nyau dancers, who stole the limelight at his burial, could not resist Marabha’s charm.
Despite his fame, Marabha faced many challenges, particularly with the ill health that plagued him for years.
It is poignant that someone like Marabha, who brought a lot of joy to others, met his end in such a way.
His story serves as a reminder of the complexities of life, where fame does not always equate to fortune or happiness. It was a sad ending for Marabha, whose laughter will continue to echo in the hearts of many.
Marabha succumbed to a chronic illness that required him to take medication religiously.
In his admission to our sister paper, Kwayedza, Marabha noted that his condition deteriorated after defaulting on his medication. He described it as “mapiritsi anonwiwa nemunhu wese” (medication taken by many people).
After all has been said, Marabha’s confession of alcohol abuse and promiscuity serves as a stark reminder to fellow actors to conduct themselves responsibly.
He bared it all in the same interview referred to above as he opened up about his life.
As sad as it sounds, Marabha could have achieved more considering all the connections he had.
But it should be mentioned that Marabha and his crew failed to reinvent themselves, so they were left behind by failing to embrace the technological revolution in the area of skits and street acting.
As one of the leading figures in the realm of skits, he never evolved like many of his peers, who started popularising their acts on social media. Sunrest Funeral Home, under the leadership of Abel Chazanga, intervened to give Marabha a decent burial.
“We had no choice but to step in and help this man after learning that his family was struggling with the burial arrangements. His situation was sad and I cannot imagine that a person of his calibre had no funeral cover,” said Chazanga.
“We only came to their rescue as part of our corporate social responsibility.”
The demise of Marabha is not an isolated incident in the creative sector, where many icons die impoverished.
It is now clear that fame does not automatically lead to financial security. Lessons can also be drawn from Marabha’s death, as the situation for most creatives is precarious.
While some might blame him for failing to monetise his work, it should be noted that he rose to prominence at a time when piracy wreaked havoc. Former Information Minister Webster Shamu once likened piracy to rape, as most creatives did not realise the benefits of their labour.
Marabha was also a victim of this.
“We used to sell our copies in various towns alongside Marabha and Kapfupi, but piracy was hard to beat. It is quite unfortunate that we are now labelled destitutes, but people should understand our situation because we were fleeced by pirates,” said Forget Chaduka at Marabha’s burial.
Although Marabha died while relying on charity, he was never short of admirers who were determined to help him fight his struggles.
One such person was Bishop Susan Dube-Ziki, who claimed she did her best to save the late comedian, who first approached her in 2018 when he became seriously ill.
“I first met him in 2018 when he came to my house in Sally Mugabe Heights, where I prayed for him,” she said. “He came along with his wife and two children and stayed at my house. Since then, I have been monitoring him, but I was shocked to learn of his death,” she explained.
“His wife informed me about his health condition and they needed spiritual support, so I prayed for them for free, as I normally do. Marabha’s health improved and I advised him to stop drinking beer and engaging in promiscuous behaviour, as instructed by the Holy Spirit. I was shocked to hear that he had returned to his old habits. I tried to warn him and he vowed to change his ways.”
The leader of the Holy Baptised Apostolic Church International revealed that the comedian was born again.
“For your information, I am the one who baptised him and advised him to always have faith in God. However, he struggled with his addiction to alcohol. I did my best to support him and his wife at my home, hoping he would recover,” she said.
“He only began acting strangely after returning to Epworth, where his peers took him to beer halls.”
While Marabha battled his chronic illness, his case underscores how creatives need help in both good and trying times.
Zimbabweans tend to appreciate their own only after they have gone.
This was evident at his burial, where thousands showed up in large numbers.
Many questioned why people appreciated him in death, yet they did not provide the medication he so desperately needed before he passed away.
This reflects a troubling tendency among Zimbabweans to show love to their stars only when they are no more.
It is also sad that Marabha publicly appealed for help, but only a few individuals, like events management guru Wanisayi “Mahwindo” Mutandwa, who once bailed him out when he was homeless and sick, responded.
Creatives need to think outside the box and find alternative sources of income or fallback plans. After all has been said, Marabha was indeed a man of the people as evidenced by the thousands who attended his burial.
However, his story serves as a powerful reminder of the harsh realities faced by many in the creative industry, where fame does not guarantee fortune or security.
May his soul rest in peace and may we learn from his experiences to better support our artistes in times of need.
Online Reporter