The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
TATENDA Mavetera, who played the role of Tendai Jari on the popular “Studio 263” soap, was shattered by the untimely death of Anne Nhira, who acted as her sister, Vimbai Jari, in the same soap. Mavetera, who is now the
Zanu PF Seke-Chikomba women’s quota MP, described the loss as a big blow to her and the nation at large.
According to Juan Nhira, Anne’s brother, the gifted artiste died after she sustained injuries on her chest area, rib cage and back during a robbery on Monday afternoon in Bedfordview, South Africa. She was 38 years old. The unfortunate death of Nhira coincided with our interview with Mavetera, as part of our International Women’s Month commemorations. Below are excerpts from the interview. Read on . . .
***
Q: My condolences on the passing on of Anne Nhira a.k.a Vimbai Jari. How have you received the news?
A: This is sad. I am hurt and devastated. Anne was a lady who I saw from being a zero to a hero. We grew up together and she was not only my sister on set, but even off the set. We shared a lot. Words cannot express how I am feeling right now. It’s a sad day for the film industry. We have lost an actress par excellence and only God knows why she had to die such a painful death. The film industry will never be the same without Anne.
Q: What kind of person was she?
A: She was a goal-getter, hard worker and was so determined till the end. Anne was a results-oriented person, had a good heart and was soft in everything she did. She was that kind of person who would take your problems as hers.
Q: We understand Nhira was still pursuing her acting career in South Africa among other things. Why do our stars continue to leave the country?
A: It is quite disheartening to note that she had gone to South Africa to hustle and pursue her acting career. She met her end because of her zeal and need to make ends meet through hard work. We cannot judge for God, but if everything was well in our film industry, she probably could have been home and not encountered this tragic end. We must strive to create a conducive environment in our arts sector so that the industry grows. The film sector needs to be capacitated so that it can earn foreign currency just like the case in Nigeria where it is only second to oil.
Q: March is Women’s Month, what does it mean to you?
A: The month of March is very important to us. It is unfortunate we have lost one of us in the period. We know every person has been born of a woman and that alone makes it a day of great importance whereby we appreciate the role we play in our society. Having it as an international day and month of celebration on the calendar of every country is enough for us to appreciate and realise our importance as women.
Q: Can you tell us about your transition from television to the House of Assembly?
A: The journey has not been easy. The transition to politics was mainly motivated by the very same reason I got into acting. I enjoyed acting and started doing it when I was five years old. Growing up, I realised I needed to effectively contribute to changing people’s lives. Acting enabled me to do so, but I still needed another opportunity to further make an impact in peoples’ lives.
After my success as an actress, I realised it was important to capitalise on the fame and occupy another position that would help me represent the voiceless and continue to positively shape opinion. Around that time, a political opportunity came through and the rest is history.
Q: How exactly did you changed people’s lives through acting?
A: If you still remember, the role I played in “Studio 263” was sensitive. During that time, there was a lot of discrimination when it came to people that lived with HIV/AIDS. I felt that playing the role was going to help change conceptions and make them appreciate that HIV/AIDS is like any other disease. I remember that time people thought I was really HIV positive because of the way I carried myself on set.
Q: Do people still identify you as Tendai from your Studio 263 role?
A: I do get quite a number of people calling me Tendai, some look at me and say “we know you from somewhere”. When I speak, some say my voice is still the same while others feel I am still the same physically.
Q: Does it bother you?
A: I am not bothered at all. I cannot change what people want to identify me as.
