adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
FORMER Studio 263 actress Anne Nhira, popularly known as Vimbai, has made her debut appearance in popular South African soapie Zabalaza. The actress, who is now based in South Africa, landed a role as an illegal Malawian immigrant working in a South African hair salon.
Zabalaza airs at 9.30PM on DStv’s Mzansi Magic, channel 161 on Mondays to Thursdays.
The Chitungwiza-born actress is now rubbing shoulders with ex-Generations actor, Zolisa “Jason” Xaluva who plays Sydney Lwanathe, Slick Vic Media managing director.
Zabalaza has all the ingredients of a 21st century soapie — a tangle of sex, drugs, and egos, back-stabbing and sometimes lethal ambition. Sydney fancies himself as a citizen of the world and harbours dark secrets that create a rift between him and his creative director, Victor Ndou (Bohang Moeko, a former Mr South Africa finalist).
In Monday’s episode, Nhira, 29, featured playing the role of an illegal Malawian immigrant working as a hairdresser in Sponono’s (Lindiwe Ndlovu) salon.
In one of the scenes, South African police walked into Sponono’s shop and arrested Nhira and her sister, accusing them of being illegal immigrants. The cops also arrested the salon owner, Sponono accusing her of being an illegal immigrant as well.
Nhira joins some Zimbabwean actors and actresses such as Leroy Gopal (former Generations actor), Arnold Chirisa (Mr Bones 2) and former Big Brother Africa housemate Maneta Mazanhi and Ernest Ndlovu (Rhythm City), who have graced the South African silver screen.
Nhira made her mark in the acting industry in 2002 when she played the lead role of “Vimbai Jari” in Studio 263.
She was an ideal woman who went through rigorous education to achieve her professional goals and resolved to abstain from sex before marriage.
After Studio 263, Nhira took a five-year sabbatical and ventured into various business projects. She made a grand comeback in 2013 when she featured in the South African film The Rapist as one of the lead actresses.
In the same year she featured in a joint South Africa and Zimbabwe soapie Ndafunga Dande. The soap opera portrayed the life of Zimbabweans in the diaspora.
Online Reporter