One thing the writer and the executive producer of the previous Gringo series, Enock Chihombori, must be credited for is selecting right characters.
Anyone who could assume the role of Firimoni had to be good at acting dull and the writer’s choice in Fanuel Tonganayi who assumed the role was striking.
Tonganayi proved — through scenes in the series — to be the best candidate and had a magical collaboration with Madhumbe whose real name is Memory Makuri.
In one interesting episode, Firimoni was asked to remove tree leaves that had fallen onto the roof of Gweshegweshe’s house. Because Firimoni had earlier on claimed to be a soldier Gringo took away the ladder Firimoni had used to go up the roof to test his wit. Firimoni had to sleep on the roof.
Firimoni was Madhumbe’s boyfriend and their combination was always exciting. The clever Madhumbe and Gringo often made a fool of Firimoni. Tonganayi relishes the good old days when people would religiously follow the Gringo series. He misses his on-set girlfriend, Madhumbe, who is now based in Canada.
“We had not met (with Madhumbe) before the comedy, but we became close after a number of episodes. I miss her so much,” said Tonganayi. Tonganayi, who works as a driver at ZBC told NewsDay the bond that had been created between him and Madhumbe was strong.
“I cried when she came to Zimbabwe recently because she went back without saying goodbye.”
He was a driver before converting to a role in comedy.
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“There was need for someone who would act as a dud and surely I was selected because ndaingoita kunge bharanzi bharanzi (I looked very dull at the time). Being quiet was one of the features that took me to this level, but the only problem is that I did not manage to create links beyond the Gringo series. When I walk in the streets everyone laughs at me because of that role.”
The actor, however, said his character on the set was far from his real life character.
He said the person who was initially supposed to assume the Firimoni role proved “too clever” for the character.
Born in 1983, Tonganayi did primary and secondary education in Bindura before coming to Harare where he got a job as a driver in 1999. Tonganayi is married, but has no children.
He said his wish was to stage another drama series together with Madhumbe.
