Story by Patience Nyagato
VERSATILE actor and comedian Charles Mapalume popularly known as Marabha who died this Saturday has been described as an arts hero who made street theatre a popular art genre in the country.
Family and friends are gathered in Epworth to mourn Marabha who was one of the finest theatre performers in the country and is among the pioneers of street theatre.
Marabha who had been ill for a while, succumbed to kidney complications on Saturday.
“He was a very good man. He was in hospital for many months he had liver and kidney complications. He was admitted for the past three weeks, at Harare hospital until he died. We only have financial difficulties so if we find money we will be able to bury him tomorrow,” Brother, Itai Mirisi said.
Fans, and fellow artists described Marabha as a legend in arts who entertained Zimbabwe and kept families glued to their screens with his humorous antics.
“We worked together on different productions. He was a talented soul and i am pained with his demise. The arts is not giving us much in terms of money so we failed to support him,” APhiri, Jeffrey Chogugudza said.
“I worked as their director i will say he was very talented. When you work as a producer you see other actors who struggle delivering but with Marabha it was different you would know within a short space of time you would be done because he was a natural,” Producer, Rashid Kambarami said.
“In the arts industry and in drama we have lost a heroe. Marabha and Kapfupi made a mark in our arts sector. Their contribution in the arts sector testifies that he is indeed a legend,” Comedian, Patrick Kupara a.k.a PK Deso said.
“I worked with him in street theatre. I do not think we can fill this gap. He was very good could play any role,” actor, Clifford Riva a.k.a Dr Madora said.
Marabha will be remembered for his yesteryear productions including ‘Dindingwe Rinonaka Richakweva Rimwe’ and the notorious Kapfupi where he worked with Freddy Manjalima popularly known as Kapfupi.
He is survived by three children.
Marabha is expected to be buried this Monday in Epworth.
