The Sunday Mail
Andrew Moyo
BABA Tencen is headed to Harare! Or let me say “kubhadharwa kugara” is heading to Harare! The South Africa-based comic, who has previously said he has no reason to come back to Zimbabwe as he is enjoying his stay south of the Limpopo, seems to have found the allure of the US dollar back home hard to resist.
The comedian is set to share the stage with Ugandan comedy queen Kansiime at the Harare International Conference Centre on August 6 courtesy of Extratime Entertainment. This will be the first time for the local audience to see the personality in the flesh on such a big platform.
But wait a minute. Remember P. O. Box? Or that guy of Zvirikumbofamba sei fame? Think he was called Uncle Richie or something to that effect? All these comedians came with a bang but quickly fell by the wayside after trying to move from social media platforms to live performances. Even the Comic Pastor is now struggling to make people laugh. Is Baba Tencen not about to commit a career suicide by coming to perform live in Zimbabwe? Should he not just stick to Facebook and YouTube and let real stand-up comedians do their thing?
There are several other comics who managed to generate interest on social media but choked when it came to performing live on stage and local comedy fans are hoping that will not be the case for Baba Tencen when he takes to the stage.
Scepticism aside — there is no doubt that Baba Tencen has a certain star power and will likely pack them in come August 6. The phrase ungandidii, hapana zvaunondiita (what can you do to me, there is nothing you can do to me) has become one of the most popular sayings in Zimbabwe after being popularised by this witty fellow.
This guy is always posting hilarious current affairs video clips and this has made him a hit on social media. Born Pepukai Zvemhari, Baba Tencen might as well be one of the most popular Zimbabweans in social media circles, thanks to his humorous displays on these platforms.
But who really is this guy? The Sunday Mail Leisure had a chat with Baba Tencen from his base in Olifantsfontain last week. A fifth child in a family of nine, Baba Tencen was born in 1976 in rural Chivi but grew up in various areas around the country.
“I grew up in different places as we were forced to move around due to various circumstances. I started primary school in 1983 in Chiredzi but we moved to Masvingo when I was in third grade after my father lost his job and got another one at a farm near Nemamwa growth point,” narrated Baba Tencen.
“I proceeded to grade four at Chiredzi primary but we moved again in 1988 to the rural areas of Charumbira in Marisa Village so I ended up doing my grade five and six at Nemazuwa Primary.”
Although the comedian is always cheerful in all his skits, there was not much to smile about when he was growing up as he recalls the hardships he had to go through to get an education.
“My father was a drunkard but since education was my passion, I strived to get good grades at school while at the same time raising my own school fees. When my parents separated, my mother took me to her family home where I struggled for three good years as I failed to go to school and putting food on the table was a hustle.
“I ended up doing some menial jobs like herding cattle in the Chibi Makotose Sese area but then I decided to go back to school so I went to my mother’s family at Maringire Chibi where I did my grade six and seven from 1993 to 94.”
In 1995, Baba Tencen enrolled at Chamanhanzwa Secondary School but moved to Shurugwi in 1997, completing his O-Level studies at Parkinson High School in 1998 where he passed eight subjects.
“I believe this was the beginning of the real Pepukai because, although, I failed to proceed with my education due to financial challenges, I ventured in cross-border trading, importing clothes and electrical gadgets from neighbouring countries and selling them in Shurugwi. This was not formal employment but I managed to generate enough income to live a decent life.”
The talkative gentleman got married in 2000 and has been blessed with two children, Tennsen and Tensile. Although it might appear as if Baba Tencen left the country because of economic hardships, that is not the case as he left to chase his dreams.
“I cannot say I am an economic refugee because I was poor even before things became tough in the country. The main reason why I left the country it was always my dream to work outside the country. I relocated to South Africa in 2006 after living in countries like Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique.”
After making the decision to settle in South Africa, he got a job, which he described as less demanding, in the hospitality industry and little did he know that this was to be a stepping stone towards fame.
“I had a less demanding job and one day a friend made a video of me making a joke and posted it via one of the social media platforms, but during this time I had not even started using Facebook.
“I did not even know anything about platforms like YouTube, Twitter or Instagram and after my video spread, it came as a shock to me. I went on to do another video that also went viral so I decided to make a DVD, which I sold personally before quitting my job to become a full-time comedian.”
His career took a giant leap when he met his current manager, Tendai Joe, who introduced him to the world of social media. “I had been selling my DVDs for a year after quitting my job but my life turned for the better when I met Tendai Joe, who is my manager and video producer.
“He is the one who set up my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages while at the same time helping me monetise the ‘Kuripwa Brand’.” The duo’s hard work has started to pay dividends, with the “Kuripwa Kugara” brand rising in popularity thereby attracting corporates and individuals like Sir Wicknell.
“My manager spent a lot of time branding me, which made it possible for me to be known by Sir Wicknell who went on to give me a large sum of money, which was a sign of a bright future for my brand. Many people might think that there is another job that I do but right now I am a full time comedian and I work on my craft day in, day out.”
The comic is creative to the extent that he does not even have to work on a script but just needs a camera to unleash his wit. “I don’t even dwell much on preparing what to say in my clips, all I need is a camera and anything I comment on comes out funny.”
Baba Tencen says brand “Kuripwa Kugara”, emanated from his previous job as a standby handyman, whereby he did not do much work but would get paid at the end of the day.
“As a standby handyman, I was getting paid for doing nothing because whether there was a problem to fix of not, I would still get paid and that is where the term ‘Kuripwa Kugara’ comes from. I am just glad that my wife and kids are proud of the way we are making ends meet.” The comedian expressed his excitement for being included on the supporting cast for Kansiime’s Comedy Night.
“I have wanted to perform in Zimbabwe for a while now but I never thought it would come at such a big platform. Fans should expect jokes that they have never heard before because this is going to be Baba Tencen at his best.”
Besides comedy skits, Baba Tencen has now ventured into emceeing, brand endorsements, stand-up comedy and is also pushing Kuripwa Kugara brand merchandise. He has also been collaborating with different Zimbabwean comedians and artistes who have hosted shows in South Africa.
His manager is a well-known digital strategist who has worked with brands that include Vodacom, MTN, SAB Miller, Gautrain and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Meanwhile, Kansiime made a lasting impression when she visited the country last year where she managed to crack ribs in two sold out shows at the 7 Arts Theatre. This time around the show’s organisers have gone for a bigger venue, HICC, a 500-seater venue. Besides Baba Tencen, Kansiime will be supported by her compatriot, Cotilda Inapo, Q The Boss and beat boxer Pro Beats.
