Ngoni Dapira

HIS theatrics and linguistics in Manyika language reincarnate the comic genius of the late Simon Shumba who was better known as Mutirowafanza in the 1990s local television drama productions that captured many. The late Mutirowafanza was very popular for his humour and enchanting Wasu (Manyika) accent and remains one of the most celebrated icons of Zimbabwe’s film industry after he became the leading character in the Mutirowafanza television series acting as baba William.

The late Simon Shumba aka Mutirowafanza

Bambo Tito whose real name is Andrew Chingobe has increasingly become a hit with his skits posted on social media, and many who watch them say they are often taken back to yesteryear’s remembering the comic genius of Mutirowafanza. Bambo Tito also uses the deep Wasu accent, typically mixing Shona and English which is what Manyika people are known to often do. One of his signature statements like ‘very nice mhani’ bring back fond memories of Mutirowafanza who cracked the ribs of many with his theatrics and made people know more about the Manyika culture.

Although Bambo Tito has invested in his own semi-professional video cameras, he says the editing is expensive and may cost up to US$150 per production. He however says his efforts to breakthrough on ZBC TV have been hitting a brick wall because they want high quality, professionally shot videos, which unfortunately do not come cheap.

“However, the positives after shooting my skits and posting on social media are that each production is my permanent asset, so I can always sell it on DVDs even two or three years from now and they do not lose value. I produce what I can afford in accordance with what I have. Though it’s not much, these skits now actually help me fend for my family, but above all I will be doing what I love doing, which is acting,” he said.

He however believes his golden opportunity to breakthrough on a televised local drama series will come soon. “For now I make money through drama performances in schools, corporate and social media advertisement endorsements, selling of my DVDs and being a master of ceremony at weddings and conferences,” said the humorous actor.

The 42-year actor from Sagambe village in Honde Valley in Mutasa district started liking acting when he was in Grade 3 in 1987, but says the Bambo Tito brand started in 2008. “Growing up, people always said I was a talented story teller and in the 1990s Mutirowafanza became my role model. So ever since my aspiration was to carry on from where Mutirowafanza left since there was no one who was putting our saManyika language in the limelight again,” said Bambo Tito in a Whats App interview with Easterntimeszim Entertainment.

He now has more than 100 short clip videos posted on various social media platforms like WhatsaApp, YouTube and FaceBook and boasts to have millions of followers when he often posts his skits. Bambo Tito who is professionally a builder, painter and carpenter is married and has four children, but says acting is what makes him feel alive. “Whenever my heart is touched by any occurrences in society, I develop this strong feeling to say out something and that is how I come up with my scripts. They are often social commentary skits that portray the Manyika culture,” he said.

He said last year alone in Mutasa district, as an MC he hosted the Hebert Chitepo commemoration in Bonda, the Women Affairs Rural Woman’s Day commemoration at Nyamukwarara, a Constitutional Awareness Campaign done by Fellowship Zimbabwe at Hauna Growth Point, a number of awareness campaigns for UNICEF and the Manicaland Devolution Conference held in Mutare.