Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts, Entertainment Hub
Zimbabwe-born Ireland-based diva Caroline Nyaka-Chana is a woman of many talents.
Continuously evolving and discovering new abilities, she has established herself as a quintuple threat.
For our readers, a “quintuple threat” refers to a creative individual who excels in five distinct fields, building upon the concept of a “triple threat,” which describes proficiency in three areas.
Nyaka-Chana’s strengths encompass dance, film and television, music, theatre and television presenting.
She has not only excelled in these areas but has also offered her services as an arts consultant.
Raised in Avondale, Harare and having spent over 20 years overseas, her journey has been one of evolution and reinvention.
Despite her many accomplishments, she attributes much of her success to the late mbira queen, Mbuya Stella Chiweshe, who passed away from a brain tumor on June 20, 2023, at the age of 76.
She holds her roots close to her heart and recently opened up in a wide-ranging interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub.
“I might have accomplished quite a lot in the past 20 years in several areas, but my achievements would mean nothing if I don’t acknowledge my roots,” she stated.
“I might have travelled widely and shared the stage with some of the world’s finest, but there are people who showed me the way.
“Musically, it was Mbuya Stella Chiweshe who opened doors for me and the group I lead, Afro Fusion.
“She advised me to sing in Shona and convinced me that language is not a barrier if we are to make it internationally.
“This could be the reason why she made it big in Europe, especially in Germany, which used to be her base before she passed away.”
Nyaka-Chana, who has a passion for traditional dancing, admitted that the death of Mbuya Chiweshe was a huge loss to the nation.
“She died at a time when we were planning to record three songs together. I am still in touch with her family, but I will always cherish her as an idol who put Zimbabwe on the world map. It’s not easy to settle in a foreign land and still manage to conquer as she did.”
Nyaka-Chana, who made history after performing at Jamaica’s Independence Day celebrations at Victoria Square, Birmingham City last year, believes she has a calling to be counted among the country’s finest artistes.
“These are some of the things that I cherish over the years because I am doing what I love. Still reflecting on that feat of gracing Jamaica’s Independence Day, I borrowed from Mbuya Stella Chiweshe’s template, who used to entertain foreigners, and I simply nailed it.”
Nyaka-Chana, who in recent years made history as one of the six candidates selected for a year-long film and television production training in the United Kingdom under Screen Skills, has vowed to empower locals.
“I am one lucky person who has been given exposure to shine at an international level. Now that I am back home, I have met some of the people I started with. You will be surprised to know that I once managed Kapfupi (Freddy Kapfupi Manjalima), and we are working on something together.
“He is one person I am constantly in touch with, and his management is aware of what we are working on,” she added.
Nyaka-Chana, who met Kapfupi and his team last week, hailed the comedian as a creative genius with nothing to prove.
“Kapfupi was one of the people who made history with street theatre, along with the late Marabha (Charles Mapalume), when it was hard to penetrate the market. I once managed them before I moved overseas, but I am always in touch with him.
“Of course, we might have lost Marabha, but we can only celebrate what he achieved. We are certainly working on a film with Kapfupi, and you can confirm this with his management,” she stressed.
Kapfupi’s manager and elder brother, Sam Manjalima, was humbled by Nyaka-Chana’s appreciation of the comedian’s talent.
“We know Carol Nyaka-Chana, and we are humbled that she still appreciates my brother’s talent when others have already written him off. It’s very rare for a person of her calibre to fly all the way from overseas to be with us and express her desire to work with us,” he stated.
The manager provided insight into the project they are currently working on to ensure they keep Kapfupi busy.
“We are going to shoot a blockbuster film with her, and we have accepted the offer. Of course, it will take some time, but this is critical because we want to keep Kapfupi busy. As his handler, I believe Kapfupi’s strength lies in drama and acting, so we want him to come back where he belongs so he can win back the hearts of many,” explained the manager.
“Of course, he is also a talented musician, but we realised that he was sitting on his talent. He nailed it as a musician and was actually surprised by his own talent.
“At the moment, we are gearing up for the biggest project with Nyaka-Chana, and it’s a plus for us that we still have people who appreciate us.”
Creatives like Nyaka-Chana, who completed the intensive stunts course with the British Action Academy (BAA) to enhance her knowledge in film, deserve special mention for having Zimbabwe at heart.
She also appreciates arts practitioners who have excelled in their journeys despite facing challenges.
Nyaka-Chana is one of the revered creatives who have showered Kapfupi with praises, three months after Jah Prayzah endorsed the comedian.
She believes in teamwork, collaborations, and powerful networking, which has led her to work with European and American producers.
Peter Tanyanyiwa