AWARD-WINNING actor Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi is bullish that 2025 will be the base year for the golden era of visual arts.
Mutumbi’s film and theatre works include playing Tambaoga, in Danai Gurira`s play The Convert and acting in Harold George’s dance theatre piece, Baobab Shadows.
He also acted as Pazva in Dell'Arte’s physical theatre play, The State of Jefferson and was the storyteller in Mamy Water, a dance theatre piece by Harold George for Dunia Dance Theatre. Mutumbi also co-created and performed in the physical theatre show Face to Face with Janess Johnrude in 2019.
A prolific director in his own right who has brought life to many creative writings, Mutumbi said the visual arts industry was on the brink of a magical golden era.
“My solo exhibition is coming soon during the course of the year 2025. I have been working on this solo piece for the past few years. The piece is an exploration of the intersection between mental health and spiritual calling,” Mutumbi told NewsDay Life & Style.
“The biggest lesson is that hard work pays. Sweat shall be turned into milk. Stay connected to your calling and to your craft. Dig deep into your artistic voice, keep sharpening your skills. Do the work for yourself. Never seek validation. You should always be in pursuit of joy. Watch as many plays as possible for interest and to sharpen your craft.”
He said there were plenty of great rewards for those who work hard and stay committed to producing quality work. In similar manner, the recently launched Zimbabwe National Film Strategy acts as a springing board for film and theatre which have become an integral part of people’s lives in recent years, the artist said.
Mutumbi is arguably one of the most sought-after film and theatre entertainers in South Africa, Mozambique, US and Denmark.
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Accordingly, he has one of the most decorated display cabinets with accolades like the Inaugural Walter Mparutsa Artist of Excellence Fellowship, 2014, nominated for Nama Outstanding Actor in Theatre (2022), nominated for Nama outstanding Theatre director for Beautiful Man and Zuva Crumbling (2023), The Dell Arte African fellowship, 2014 and the Jane Hill Excellence Fellowship, 2015 respectively.
Mutumbi, who is still basking in the glory of a success story, directing the theatrical table read monologue the Yellow Dog Dingo by Petina Gappah which features Munya Chidzonga as Dr Julius Simango, promised a mini festival and exhibition to showcase his creative works.
He said the exhibition would aim at promoting theatre and film while it motivated those who wish to pursue film and television or theatre as a career of choice. Mutumbi also co-created and performed in the play Haywire in the year 2024.
Mutumbi has directed and produced masterpieces from scripts for theatrical plays like Ruvajena by Virginia Jekanyika, 2019, The Good Minister from Kunyarara by June Carryl, 2021, Maimbodeyi by TafBob Mutumbi 2022, Beautiful Man, Zuva Crumbling by Lucian Msamati and Vatengesi-Hannah’s Dance.
