Actor Zondwayo Juwa dies
The entertainment fraternity woke up to a shock yesterday morning with the news that actor Zondwayo Juwa is no more.
Juwa, who once performed with Wakhumbata Ensemble Theatre, died on Tuesday night after a short battle with malaria and pneumonia at Ekwendeni Hospital in Mzimba. According to his brother Ian Juwa Zondwayo, the actor has been struggling with the problems for a long time, but was recovering after getting treatment.
“It has been an on and off problem,” said the elder Juwa.
Bennie Msuku, who has acted with Juwa in many plays and films including Shemu Joyah’s Seasons of a Life, described the death as a shock to Malawi’s theatre and movie industries. He said they have grown up together shared acting skills and ambitions which he says are yet to be materialised.
Joyah said he received the news with a great shock, saying he last met the actor in Mzuzu last year. He described the deceased as a complete actor who brought life to compositions.
“He was a very good man not only in acting but also in real life. Wherever he was, he made sure there is fun and he enjoyed cracking jokes. In acting, he contributed a lot and knew what to add to attract the attention of the people and we will miss this,” said Joyah.
According to Juwa, Zondwayo, who is the second born in a family of nine died at the age of 40. He has left behind a wife and four girls. He will be budied today (Thursday) in Pato Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mtwalo Jere in Mzimba.
