Marabha left a legacy in arts

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,” his brother, Itai Mirisi, said.

Fans and fellow artists described Marabha as a legend in the 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 are not giving us much in terms of money, so we failed to support him,” APhiri, Jeffrey Chogugudza, said.

“I worked as their director, and 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 hero. 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; he 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. ZBC