Online Reporter
Agnes Kuda Gwatiringa
MEMORY BUSUSU was affectionately known to many as “Auntie Memory”, but to the nation, she was Tete vaMasirina — a name earned through her unforgettable performances in the iconic drama series “Pfuma Yenhaka” and “Paraffin”.
My personal encounter with Auntie Memory is a story that deserves its own full chapter.
She possessed immense emotional intelligence that allowed her to inhabit complex characters with startling conviction.
Before we worked together, I had heard her voice in radio commercials and caught glimpses of her in various advertisements, but I had not yet seen her full potential on television.
Watching her, my gut told me she was being underutilised.
She possessed a rare screen presence that was waiting for the right canvas.
As a scriptwriter, producer and director, I have a unique way of marrying the dialogue to movement during the writing phase.
I cast the characters in my mind as I write, placing people I know, people I have met or even strangers I have seen on the street into a mental jigsaw puzzle.
These “characters in my head” participate in a private audition during my writing sessions, often unaware that they are becoming my future screen stars.
It was through this process that I “cast” Auntie Memory as Tete vaMasirina.
I had placed her in “Pfuma Yenhaka” long before we physically met.
When the time came, I did not need an audition; I simply had to find her contact details. Memory had a transformative ability to shake herself up, disappearing entirely into a role.
She delivered authentic emotions that created a visceral connection with her audience, solidifying her status as a screen heroine.
Her talent made me one of the proudest writer-directors of that era.
During production, handing Memory a script was a seamless process. She required very little time to memorise lines or grasp the underlying subtext of a story.
Once she received the director’s cues, she would lose herself completely, letting the character take centre stage.
She brought scripts to life without imitation or artificiality, leaving audiences glued to their screens.
What truly distinguished Auntie Memory was her incredible range.
She transitioned between slapstick comedy and deep drama with expert ease.
Her filmography speaks for itself, spanning hits such as “Pfuma Yenhaka”, “Paraffin” (Parts 1 and 2), “Jemanewadya”, “Chiri mumusakasaka Chinozvinzwira” and “Asi Chii Nhai?”
With every new production, she levelled up, constantly refining her craft.
Beyond her talent, she was a humble, disciplined and dedicated team player.
No one can truly fill Auntie Memory’s shoes. She has left a massive void in the arts industry and will be deeply missed.
She leaves behind a legacy of raw, unfiltered performance — a true gamba (heroine) of the craft.
Go well, gamba guru (great heroine). You are our unsung heroine.
Agnes Kuda Gwatiringa is a veteran scriptwriter, producer and director who has worked with several local small and big screen stars.
Bongani Ndlovu