“I never gave a thought to a career in modelling. I have had a strong passion for acting from childhood,” he told The Zimbabwean recently.
“It began as a joke, but a friend referred me to Model Management, where I did my Elite light top model and post-graduate between 2006 and 2007.”
Soon after graduating from modelling school, Harare-born Tafirenyika spent 2007 modelling for a number of Zimbabwean companies. In 2008 he decided to take his new-found passion to a higher level by migrating to South Africa.
His enduring love for acting did not stop, though, and in 2009 he took a sabbatical from the ramp to enrol with the South African State Theatre, where he did a course in Drama and Performing Arts Theatre with Electronic Productions.
At the end of that year, he penned his first movie, “I will marry myself”, now internationally recognised, with the assistance of award-winning actor, Arnold Chirisa and other veterans like Spiwe Sibiya, Memory Savanhu, Joe Jangu, Towards Tafirenyika, Enock Chihombori and top South African film director, Stephen Visser. “I got inspiration for the movie from putting myself into the shoes of a rich woman with everything she needs in life, who would not tolerate the games that men play with women’s emotions,” explained Tafirenyika.
The result is a fascinating story about an African girl so desperate for marriage that she ended up paying for her own bride price. Tafirenyika stars in it as Coaster, the lead male character, alongside South African Lillian Tshabalala, the lead female character.
“It was not easy for me to come up with this movie because I did not know much about writing scripts and other stuff. It took me three years to complete the whole script, but I’m happy that I’ve finally made it,” he added.
“The movie was directed by Visser, one man I respect in this field and special thanks to Sibiya for helping make it to be what it is. My long-time wish is to one day become one of the best writers and actors in Africa.”
The movie’s trailer is already available on Twitter and those curious for a quick glance can follow it on @lmarrymyself.
Post published in: Arts