Trust Khosa Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub FAME has shadowed him for over five decades, yet he remains remarkably humble. With effortless charm, he could evoke laughter, tears or cheers with his witty jokes, even in his adolescence. By Grade Three at Chirodzo Primary School in Mbare, he was already doing radio voice-overs in what was then Rhodesia. Elders in Mbare praised him as a “little genius”. At that time, he never realised he had already stepped into the elite league of celebrities and stars. Whether at school or church, he thoroughly enjoyed acting, unaware that it was his true calling. He consistently demonstrated maturity beyond his years, especially when assigned any acting role. Interpreting scripts has always been integral to his life. As an actor, he illuminated the small screen in various dramas, sitcoms, short films, theatre performances and feature films. However, it was his fruitful stint in Zimbabwe’s first-ever soap opera, “Studio 263”, that solidified his reputation as the shrewd lawyer, Potter Wakanaka. Several years after it was discontinued, he continues to turn heads whenever he strolls through the streets. Charles Kapfupi, not to be confused with street theatre exponent Freddy “Kapfupi” Manjalima, is a seasoned filmmaker, who has seen it all in this industry. To this day, many still call him Wakanaka, a name he has embraced. Everywhere he goes, people chant the name “Wakanaka”, and he claims some of his old friends also refer to him by the same moniker. For clarity, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub will refer to him as Wakanaka. Reflecting on his career, which began in Mbare, where his umbilical cord lies buried, the actor vows to keep going despite his fortune not matching his fame. Adopting the “Tuku model” He subscribes to the “Tuku model” of resilience, a strategy that paid off for the late national hero, Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, when many had seemingly abandoned him. “I have been in the business for over 50 years and am still going strong despite leading a modest life,” chuckled Wakanaka. “After all these years in the film industry, I now want to adopt the model the late Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi used before he made money. “There was a point when many people were convinced that his career was over until the late 90s when he finally made it with ‘Tuku Music’. “From then on, he was never the same Tuku we knew, and I am following that model of resilience.” The affable actor, who earns a living as the head of security at Sam Levy’s Village in Borrowdale, Harare, believes patience pays off. “I will need a book to compile the radio dramas, adverts, music videos and television series that I starred in. To cut a long story short, my acting career dates back to 1968 when I did a radio voice-over while still a learner in Mbare,” he recounted. “I was auditioned by the likes of Stevie Kavhayi, Brighton Matewere, Elias Ricky Gwata and Mbuya Mlambo, among other yesteryear radio personalities. “Then it was called the African Broadcasting Corporation, but it was not easy getting a chance to showcase your talent.” He added: “Unlike some of the teens who attempted to do radio voice-overs, I never encountered stage fright because acting was inborn for me. The only challenge was that during the colonial era, it was hard to be given such opportunities to shine and be counted among the best in the land.” Breakthrough Wakanaka firmly believes his breakthrough as an actor came in the 1970s under the mentorship of living legend Ben Sibenke, who later starred in “Studio 263” as Mr Shereni. “I had the opportunity to shine in the 1970s when I featured in stage plays like ‘Chidembo Chanhuhwa’ and ‘My Uncle Grey Bhonzo’ with the assistance of Ben Sibenke,” he explained. “It was that legend who taught us how it is done and up to now, I owe him a lot because he really shaped my career. Most of the productions were aired on radio while a few were stage plays, as indicated.” Wakanaka was one of the most excited creatives when Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, as it ushered in a new era for him. “I will forever cherish the coming of independence since it ushered in a new era for us as creatives. I featured in several ZBC productions like ‘Pfuma Yenhaka’, ‘Chiri mumusakasaka Chinozvinzwira’ and ‘Asi Chii Nhai?’ while working with producer Agnes Gwatiringa.” Nama recognition With all his experience in film and television, Wakanaka was rewarded in 2008 after being crowned Best Actor at the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) for his role in the play “I Want a Wedding Dress” by Tsitsi Dangarembga. “I am a proud Nama winner for my role as a sugar daddy in that play during the 2008 Nama edition,” he proudly stated. “It was a special moment for me after winning that accolade, which meant a lot as an actor. That was when I realised that I had loving people who enjoyed what I did.” “Studio 263” era and its dilemmas After the long journey he has travelled in film and television, Wakanaka still describes his stint at the country’s first-ever soap opera “Studio 263” as the best. “I will always cherish being part of “Studio 263” because the cast comprised seasoned actors, greenhorns and those who had never acted before,” he recalled. “We had the likes of Jabu (Denzel Burutsa), Dread Welly (Kizito Mawoko), Vimbai (Anne Nhira), Tendai Jari (Tatenda Mavetera) and Muwengwa (Nevernay Chinyanga). “What fascinated me a lot is that when we started, there was a lot of enthusiasm among the actors, but with fame, you know what happens.” Wakanaka stressed: “At ‘Studio 263’, we became instant celebrities and that is when I realised the power of television because people would wait to watch us every day in the comfort of their homes.” Wakanaka said experience and talent played a key role in helping him make an impression. “It was easy for some of us to make an instant impact because we had come a long way, dating back to the colonial era. We executed our roles so well that some of our fans still believe ‘Studio 263’ was based on a true story. “Up to now, there are some people who cannot believe that what we did in ‘Studio 263’ was acting, as memories of that soap are still as fresh as ever for those who watched it.” Like any other adventure, “Studio 263” had its own casualties who became victims of instant fame. “Without dropping names, there are some actors who did not fully utilise the opportunity due to failure to handle fame. Of course, it was expected from some of the guys because it was their first time being exposed to that platform,” he reflected. “I think with a lot of grooming, surely, there are some actors who could have been somewhere, but it is quite unfortunate. I started to notice this change when some cast members began missing shoots or arriving late, while others would go AWOL because they were now celebrities. This was one of the issues that crippled our operations because it meant roping in new characters who could hardly match the others we had.” Personal losses, future hopes His heart bleeds over the talent lost in “Studio 263” and other productions he starred in. “In Studio 263, we lost several of them to death, including the producer (Godwin) Mawuru, Anne Nhira, Pretty Xaba and Charmaine Mangwende,” he said. “There are moments when I get scared going through this long list of talented actors because I loved everything we did together. There are many others that I have lost in other productions, and I still ask God, ‘Why?’ Of course, no one lives forever, but it still pains me a lot.” Wakanaka has not lost hope that he will make it in life, but his only worry is that it has taken a long time for financial success to come his way. “We do not stop producing new content and I am currently shooting some documentaries with Nakai Tsuro and other films that I cannot pre-empt,” he revealed. “But for now, what I want is recognition for what I have done. All I want are my flowers; I do not want those eulogies on my gravesite when you can honour me now,” joked Wakanaka. As he celebrates half a century in the game, Wakanaka continues to walk with a spring in his step, despite fortune eluding him. Below is a list of productions in which Wakanaka featured: TV series/dramas Pfuma Yenhaka Part 1-3 Paraffin: 1-3 Asi Chii Nhai? Chiri mumusakasaka Chinozvinzwira KuChina — The Genesis My Uncle Grey Bhonzo Chidembo Chanhuhwa I Want a Wedding Dress (Nama Best Actor, 2008) Money transfer agent — Send To Beverly Building Society Films/Movies/Bioskop Robert Mugabe Sharing Day The Prophet Bait to Justice Music videos Mwana Wamambo by Jah Prayzah Robbery by Freeman