Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
WHEN Nigerian actress Omozele Gabriel — better known by her screen name Flora — recently landed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, it was her dramatic entrance that left many spellbound.
Clad in a grey wig and matching grey lipstick, she embodied the eccentric “mad person” persona for which she is widely known.
That look has become her trademark as an internet sensation.
Although she had no role in “Lost in Ashes”, a Zimbabwean-Nigerian collaborative film that premiered at Westgate Cinemas on September 27, Flora attended to support executive producer Mai TT, her long-time friend.
“I have been friends with Flora for two years and have always admired her work,” said Mai TT, born Felistas Murata.
“She is not only a talented actress but also an experienced producer. Having her join my board here in Zimbabwe will be a huge boost for the industry. She is actually returning next month and we are planning to launch some exciting projects. I have been a fan of her work for a long time and this collaboration will help elevate Zimbabwean cinema even further.”
So, who is Flora?
Behind the quirky costume was a star ready to embrace Zimbabwe with open arms.
By the time she left, she had become a self-appointed ambassador of local food, culture and hospitality.
Off the set, Gabriel is known to be quite shy.
Having carved a niche in Nollywood with her comedic yet sharp portrayals, the actress quickly turned her Harare trip into a cultural experience.
“The first morning in Harare, I was served sausages, eggs and potatoes for breakfast and I could not believe how good everything tasted,” she gushed on social media.
“Even the tea here is something else. I was like, ‘Wow, Zimbabwe, you people know how to feed a visitor!’”
But it did not stop at breakfast.
Gabriel proudly shared that she also tried Zimbabwe’s beloved staple — sadza.
“I loved it! I never thought I would enjoy sadza that much, but the texture and the way it fills you up — it’s amazing. It’s different from what we eat back home!” she remarked in an interview.
Her culinary curiosity delighted fans, and for Zimbabwe’s tourism promoters, her words were pure gold.
Indeed, gastronomy is fast becoming a unique selling point for Zimbabwe’s tourism industry.
While the majestic Victoria Falls and Hwange’s elephants may lure visitors, it is often sadza, nyama (meat) and green leafy vegetables that seal their love for the country — especially in how they are prepared.
Gabriel joins a long list of foreigners who have fallen for the nation’s simple yet hearty meals.
Over the years, visiting celebrities — from Jamaican reggae stars to South African actors — have publicly praised Zimbabwean cuisine.
Even American visitors have noted the soulful appeal of sadza served in local hotels and lodges.
“Food tells you something deep about a country,” Gabriel reflected.
“When you sit down and taste what people here eat daily, you understand them better. It made me feel at home.”
Her embrace of Zimbabwean culture did not end with food.
She spoke warmly about the country’s traditions, especially lobola ceremonies.
“I was told how lobola works here — where a man pays bride price with cattle or gifts. Honestly, I love it,” she said.
“It shows respect and gives value to women and their families. In Nigeria, it is more of a flat fee system, but this one gives marriage more meaning.”
Upon her arrival, Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Emily Jesaya presented Gabriel with a Zimbabwean material — jira (wrapper) — which she wore proudly.
On the final day at Rainbow Towers, where she was staying, she performed a light-hearted skit with fellow Nollywood star Mike Ezuruonye, joking that she did not want to return to Nigeria.
The crowd roared with laughter, but the sentiment hinted at her genuine attachment to Zimbabwe.
She also expressed deep gratitude to Mai TT, who spearheaded the Zimbabwean side of “Lost in Ashes”.
“This was my first time in Zimbabwe and I had heard so many negative stories before. People told me all sorts of things. But I came and saw the opposite — the people are warm, the food is delicious and the culture is beautiful. I thank Mai TT for making this happen. It changed my perspective completely.”
For Gabriel, the collaboration between Zimbabwe and Nigeria goes beyond film credits — it is about unity.
“This is the power of collaborations. When we come together in film, in music, in fashion, we push each other higher. We make Africa shine. I believe Zimbabwe and Nigeria can build something strong — something the world must respect.”
Playing a comical, misunderstood woman, she showcased the same flamboyant energy that she carried onto Zimbabwean soil.
Her costume at the airport — wig and lipstick included — was her way of blurring fiction and reality, inviting Zimbabweans to meet “Flora” before meeting Omozele.
It worked, as fans instantly recognised her, laughing and snapping selfies as if the screen had spilled onto the streets of Harare.
As the lights dimmed at the premiere, Gabriel had not only introduced herself as a Nollywood star but also as a cultural bridge.
Her love of sadza, fascination with lobola and admiration for Zimbabwean hospitality painted a new picture of how the arts can promote tourism.
She left Zimbabwe with a promise to return.
“Africa is home. When I come to Zimbabwe, I don’t feel like a foreigner. I feel like a sister visiting her family,” she said.
And perhaps that is the lasting impression Gabriel — the Nollywood queen known as Flora — leaves behind.
She did not just premiere a film; she tasted Zimbabwe, embraced its people and declared it part of her African story.
For Zimbabwe’s arts and tourism industries, that is a performance worth celebrating.
Gabriel is known for “Here Love Lies” (2023), “My Name is Ivy” (2018) and “Kill Fred” (2021).
