FILMAKET WATSON CHIDZO,BA LAID TO REST
THE late filmmaker and actor, Watson Chodzomba, has been hailed as a humble artist who left an indelible mark in the creative sector.
Chizomba died on Thursday last week aged 61. He was buried yesterday at West Bank Cemetery. Fellow players in the film and theatre industry said the nation had lost a creative genius.
Veteran playwright, Aaron Chiundura-Moyo said:
“We have lost a creative genius who was humble and yet talented.
“I first watched him on television in the film ‘I Need A Child’ before we later met and worked together.
“He was good at grasping the script and he would go the extra mile once he got on the set.
“I am proud to have worked with him and he left a legacy set to be cherished for years,” he said.
He added:
“It’s very unfortunate that for all his prowess as an actor and filmmaker, Chidzomba did not get an award.
“Sometimes you wonder what these people like NAMA organisers consider when choosing their winners.
“We all know what Chidzomba has done for the industry and all the plays that he featured in with distinction.”
Fellow actor, Timothy Tapfumaneyi, who made his name in “Timmy naBonzo”, said:
“We never heard about his illness and this came as a shock to us when we were told that he is no more.
“He was a down-to-earth person who loved his job as an actor, script-writer and director.
“He was complete in every aspect of filmmaking. “Losing such great minds in film-making is a huge loss to us. The nation has been robbed of a humble person who used to light up the small screen,” he said. Savanna Trust director and actor, Daniel Maposa, said:
“Despite all his fame, he loved to impart the same knowledge he had to young people.
“In my case, I have learnt to be humble, no matter how famous we become.
““He was well-groomed and genuinely loved his work as a filmmaker and script-writer.”
Musician and family friend, Eunice “Magumbo” Kapandura said they were still to come to terms with Chidzomba’s death.
Mourners came in numbers to pay their last respects for Chidzomba.
Pakare Paye’s new operations manager, Trymore Mupingiza, was among the mourners along with Government representatives and fellow actors and actresses.
Chidzomba is survived by his widow Christine Fero and three children — two girls and a boy.