Chihombori revels with NAMA award

 Nkosana Zulu

Enock Chihombori’s hilarious film, Gringo Troublemaker, won this year’s 13th edition of the National Arts Merit Award (Nama) best outstanding screen production — full length film at a colourful ceremony held last week in Bulawayo.The film was competing with Through the Night by Sydney Taivavashe and Bhegi Rabvaruka by Lloyd Kurima better known as Mabla in the showbiz.
For winning the award, Chihombori took home a prize money of US$500, hampers and different other goods.
Speaking to the Financial Gazette from his Botswana base, Chihombori who is the producer of the film cum-scriptwriter said he was happy to receive the award as a first recognition of his works that has brought more pain than joy to him. 

“I thank everyone who worked hard to make this film possible and everyone who supported us. This award is the only thing that I got from this film (Gringo Troublemaker),” said Chihombori.
“I funded this project with my own resources. I convinced my wife to use our funds on this production. When the movie was released they took my production and pirated it.”
The film Gringo Troublemaker is a feature film shot in Harare with a cast loaded with stars that brought a wealth of experience to the film.
The film’s story line centres on a former Studio 263 actor, Tapiwa Mavindidze better known as VJ in the soap playing the role of John who is out to impress his girlfriend and goes out to engage the services of a traditional healer to help him get rich against the wishes of his girlfriend Mary.

Mary, born Evangelista Mwatse is popular for her roles in Small House Saga and City of Dreams. In Gringo Troublemaker she plays John’s pompous girlfriend, Mary.
John’s life is changed dramatically when he accidentally meets Gringo, who unfortunately tempers with the traditional healer’s herbs.
Somehow John ends up in possession of a large amount of money which belongs to Gringo’s boss. However, his wife Mary causes problems when she accidentally destroys the medicine and hell breaks loose.
With such a scenario, John lives to rue the day he met Gringo.

The film also features Blessing Chimhowa popularly known as Mbudziyadhura, stealing many of the film’s funny moments.
In the film Mbudziyadhura, returns with his usual laid back comical antics together with the vastly experienced William Matenga taking up his role as Gringo’s employer Gweshegweshe.
According to Chihombori, the production of the film has however, left him swimming in huge debts which he is yet to recover after he lost the bid to curb piracy that resulted in the film being pirated before being put on disc.
Chihombori is on record saying the film caused more pain than joy in his career.

Meanwhile, contemporary musician Jah Prayzah born Mukudzei Mukombe dominated the awards as he banged in four awards.
He scooped the Outstanding Male Artist award, his album Tsviriyo outclassed Mathias Mhere’s Nguva Ye Nyasha and Guspy Warrior’s Handikwanise Kuzvitaura to win the Outstanding Album of the year.
The Gochi Gochi hit maker also won in the Outstanding Song category with his song Tsviriyo which was competing with Seunononga from Guspy Warrior and Zino Irema from Mhere and the People’s Choice Awards.
For winning all those awards, Jah Prayzah walked away US$2 000 richer.