Cheza’s real-life death mirrors film script

By The NewsDay | Oct 29, 2015 | 3 Min read

THE drama that charactererised of the late veteran actor Fidelis “Danger” Cheza’s stage life appears to have followed him in death.

BY WINSTONE ANTONIO/NUNURAI JENA cheza-funeral

At the time of his death, Cheza was part of the cast of a film that was still under production titled The Collector, and his character —Mushayazano — was destined to die at the end.

The film is based on veteran author Charles Mungoshi’s novel, Makunun’unu Maodzamoyo, published 45 years ago. Cheza died after having wrapped up all the scenes in which he will be featured in. All that was left was to record the burial scene.

The film’s director, who is also Mungoshi’s son, Farai, said the coincidence was very unfortunate.

“Although some of his [Mungoshi’s] writings come to pass, we believe that this was just a coincidence,” he said.

Farai said it was unfortunate that Cheza, just as in the plot of the film, died in real life.

“The person who passed on would have loved to continue because he was a legend in his own right and he was enjoying every bit of it.”

Keep Reading

Cheza’s son, Tendai, revealed how he “sneaked” into Zimbabwe on Friday last week after 15 years in the United States, where he is based, planning a surprise visit for his father.

In an interview with NewsDay, Tendai said he had intended to visit his father — who died on Sunday due to hypertension and was buried on Tuesday — soon after the weekend.

The surprise, however, ended in anguish, as he only saw his father in the coffin.

“When I was planning to come home, I wanted it to be a surprise visit for my father, so I camped at my uncle’s lodgings in Cranborne, but unfortunately I am the one who was then shocked with his death,” Tendai said.

“I received the shocking news from my cousin, who was staying with the old man in Highfield before my visit.” Tendai, who is a DJ, had brought some “special clothes” for his father, who could only be dressed in them for burial.

A massive birthday bash, according to some family members, had been planned for the actor, who featured in over 30 films in his acting career.

Speakers hailed Cheza for his role in local showbiz, describing his death as a big blow not only to his family, but also to the arts fraternity.

Zimbabwean Arts and Culture Industry president, Boniface Chimedza said the death of Danger came as a shock to them.

“The death of our hero in the film industry has plunged Zimbabwe’s entertainment fraternity into mourning. We have lost a talented actor and role model for many, who had changed the film fraternity with his skills. May his soul rest in peace,” Chimedza said.

Theatre producer and actor Silvanos Mudzvova said Danger’s death was a great loss to him and the arts sector.

“Danger was among the few experienced elders in the film industry, who were left as evidenced by several productions he featured. He is the one who inspired me to take theatre seriously with the lectures he used to deliver during my school days at Highfield High School,” he said.

Another actress, Sipilisiwe Kaikeni said Danger was regarded as a father to both renowned and upcoming artistes. “As fellow actors, we are saddened by the passing of one of our greatest actors. We send our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, the film fraternity and the nation at large on this sad loss,” she said.

In his career, Cheza worked with renowned actors like Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington and Sharon Stone.

Cheza left behind a rich legacy in film, having featured in productions that include The Collector, Allan Quatermain and The Lost City of Gold (1986), A Far Off Place (1993), Kini and Adams (1997) and Makunun’unu Maodzamoyo, a drama-based on veteran author Charles Mungoshi’s novel of the same title, Mukadota Family, Ndakaiteyi, Neria, Studio 263, Everyone’s Child and Fools’ Day.

The prominent actor has also been part of international big screen productions such as King Solomon’s Mines, Thinking About Africa and Return to The Lost World.