Mugabe film spurs Mashingaidze-Zimbizi to stardom

ACTRESS Caroline MashingaidzeZimbizi (pictured) recalls her breakthrough to international recognition was after she featured in the

lm Mugabe, which follows the rise and fall of the late former President Robert Mugabe.

In the lm, produced by Eastgate Films, Mashingaidze-Zimbizi starred as Grace Mugabe, the wife of the once feared leader who died in 2019, in Singapore

The synopsis of the lm Mugabe, set in Zimbabwe chronicles how Mugabe rose from being a prisoner to power as a guerrilla ghter who defeated the British colonial rulers during the liberation struggle.

In the lm, Mugabe is hailed as a “hero” and a world role model president with multiple awards, but gradually becomes one of the world’s top tyrants who violates human rights to get unassailable power for the rest of his life.

He clings to power with iron sts as he eliminates prospective successors to pave the way for his young beautiful wife. This rst lady is a rebrand woman who chides anyone threatening to grab her husband’s position.

Her association with high pro le churches, charity work, and extravagant lifestyle wins her fame, culminating in their fall. Will his people accept a family dynasty? While the nation is in a state of unrest and growing weary, Mugabe’s allies do the unexpected.

Mashingaidze-Zimbizi reckons how American lm producer Rogers O me made tremendous e orts as he hunted for her for the former First Lady (Grace Mugabe) role.

Renowned Hollywood based Nigerian actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim played the Mugabe character.

“My treasured experience is de nitely being part of the Mugabe lm cast. That is the most paying job l got and the service was world class from the directors right down to the runners. They all treated me with loyalty as Amai Mugabe,” she recalled, adding that working with Kae-Kazim was cherry on top.

Despite featuring in such a top lm, Mashingaidze-Zimbizi remains a humble actress.

“My lifestyle never really changed, I just happen to have more people greeting me while I do the most ordinary stu . I do not consider myself that I am famous as I just take my acting as a job and when I am o the set, I am your plain Jane until maybe when endorsements start coming through that might bring a total change into my life,” she added.

“There is a need to support local talent. We have got so much talent in all disciplines of lm making and we just need a bit more support to reach world class standards.”

Mashingaidze-Zimbizi’s acting voyage started o in 2007 as part of the Estate Blues cast. This was after she was bestowed with a chance by prominent lmmaker and director Admire Maramba ahead of a bevy of already established actresses.

“I got my rst role in a star-studded cast with veterans like Stephen Chigorimbo, Tendai Chakanyuka and Tatenda Mavetera. It received media attention and that is when I got a huge breakthrough at Patsime Trust, an organisation that does theatre for development,” she noted.

The award-winning actress cum makeup artist also notes that experience gained in theatre hubs such as Patsime, Savanna and Theatre in the Park amongst others was vital in her grooming.

“I owe it to Jasen Mphepo (renowned actor and Patsime Edutainment Trust director) and the Patsime sta for nurturing and moulding me into a theatre actress of repute who is a holder of National Arts Merit Award (under lm and television category).”

Commenting on the e orts by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe to come up with a lm strategy, Mashingaidze-Zimbizi said she feels more con dent, and positive that the government has taken steps to commit itself to funding the lm industry.

“The lm strategy would mean that while we are telling our own stories, we will also be getting remuneration and also putting our country on the map and in the process attracting international markets,” she said.