The new stage princess, Uchizi shines in one actor play

Those that are conversant with theatre would testify that a solo actor play is one of the most difficult to execute.

During the performance of Mwana Wanga at Nanzikambe Arts Cafe in Naperi, one of the patrons Clement Chimangeni was sceptical whether it was going to be a good performance.

“I once watched a certain one man play and I was disappointed,” he said then, looked back and sipped his cold drink before putting it down.

Barely two minutes into the one woman routine, Chimangeni laughs, seeming to be having a good time like the rest of the patrons at the arts cafe.

But with the jaw dropping performance what lingered in the minds of Chimangeni and the rest of the audience was who the actor was and what she did to make a solo act so easy yet interesting? The patrons went without answers.

So, Chill caught up with the actress, Uchizi Munyenyembe, to learn more about the stage princess.

She might seem more confident in her own kingdom—the stage.

But it did not come in a day. She admits to having stage fright during her early days on stage, but found a way of dealing with it.

The actor recalls Phwezi Girls Secondary School as the cradle of her acting journey.

“When I was in Form Three, I auditioned for a role in a French play, but I was rejected. I never gave up and I auditioned the following year and landed myself a major role,” says Uchizi.

She attributes her success to the support her parents rendered to her throughout her acting career.

“My parents have been attending my French competition performances in Blantyre,” she admits with a sparkle in her eye.

Uchizi says her mother, who was present during her Mwana Wanga performance, told her to pursue her dream in acting and make a difference.

“She told me to go to the world and prove that it is possible to be an actor and still have a good reputation off stage,” she recalls.

Uchizi says these are the words that have always kept her inspired.

After she enrolled at Chancellor College, the young actress remembers already knowing what she wanted to pursue.

“I already knew I had to do the arts. So, I chose French and drama as my main courses,” says Uchizi.

It was in her third year that she was caught in a dilemma of what to major.

“I loved drama and French, but I chose to major in French and minor in drama,” she says.

Uchizi says she rekindled her passion when she was cast for a major role in The Invisible Machine directed by Zindaba Chisiza, then a fresh lecturer at the college.

“There I learnt the discipline of acting, because it was the most challenging role that I have ever taken as an actress, but also because the director was passionate about acting, which inspired me more,” she says.

The actress, who is decorated with Chancellor College Best Actress 2014 accolade, also performed in Didimo, which was funded by the Norwegian Church Aid.

Despite her brilliant acting skills, the actress says she is still making up her mind on whether to take acting as a career considering the low return of the industry.

“Growing up, I have never dreamt to be in an office. I always envisioned myself doing field work or on stage,” she says.

Uchizi, however, says she wishes to merge drama and theatre to bring back the glory of French drama.

The actress, who adores Michelle Botes who plays Cheryl in Isidingo and Dipo Katimba on the local scene, says criticism has always pushed as it gives her the hunger for perfection.