THE death of popular actor Blessing Tendai Vingirai better known as Bhonjisi on the local showbiz has plunged Zimbabwe’s entertainment industry into mourning.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO OWN CORRESPONDENT
He died on Sunday afternoon at Norton Hospital after a long illness.
Fellow actor, comedian-cum-musician Kapfupi (real name Freddy Manjalima) confirmed the death expressing shock at the untimely bereavement.
“I received the news on Sunday that Bhonjisi had passed on. From what he had told me, he was suffering from tuberculosis and meningitis,” Kapfupi said.
“This is so sad and I cannot believe it.
“Life is too short, we have lost a talented person and friend.”
According to Medilexicon’s medical dictionary, meningitis is inflammation of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord.
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Bhonjisi had worked with Kapfupi for about six years and was part of the team that is credited for popularising street theatre in the country.
However, by the time of his death, he had been doing solo projects, but Kapfupi said there were plans that he was going to feature on his fourth coming project.
“We had parted ways with Bhonjisi, but we used to communicate and we had agreed that he would feature on my forthcoming comedy titled Mr Kapfupi.
“It is unfortunate that he has gone too early without commencing the shooting,” Kapfupi said.
Kapfupi said he will be shelving the shoot that was about to commence next week as an honour to his friend Bhonjisi.
Meanwhile, yesterday social networks were abuzz with condolence messages from fellow artistes who paid reverence to Bhonjisi.
Bhonjisi is survived by wife Regina and one child Rutendo and mourners are gathered in Norton. Bhonjisi had featured on some of Kapfupi’s projects like Notorious Kapfupi, What Goes Around Comes Around and Wrong Back among others.
