‘Prophet’ Uncle Ritchie a hit

HARARE – Comedian-cum-musician Richard Matimba — the man behind the popular “unotoshaya kuti zviri kumbofamba sei” skits-demonstrated on Tuesday night why he has become a national phenomenon.

The popular artiste, whose comedy touches on various socio- economic and political issues in Zimbabwe, gave a sterling performance at the Builders Conference held at Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM).

Uncle Ritchie, as he is popularly known by his growing number of fans, had congregants in stitches when he played the role of a pastor blessed with the gift of prophesy.

He started off by extending greetings to the congregants using that voice which has captured many Zimbabweans at home and abroad.

The father of two then got down to business by reading a verse from the Bible, but somewhere along Bible reading and preaching “pastor uncle Ritchie” began to prophesy.

“…Tsaaaa tsa grace,” he said, and lo and behold a woman came rushing to the pulpit and kneeled down before “pastor uncle Ritchie.”

Matimba then started praying for the woman and she fell into a trance.

“…aaahh zvariri demoni ka iri (aah this looks like a demon)” he said before proceeding to cast out the demon.

Luck, however, ran out on “pastor uncle Ritchie” as the demon -possessed woman turned on him and gave him the beating of a lifetime.

The Daily News caught up with the comedian to establish the motivation behind the act.

“Firstly, I want people to laugh and learn something. The lesson was — have a relationship with God who can help you discern spirits,” Matimba said in reference to false prophets.

He added that the comedy can also be an interpretation of the seven sons of Sceva whose story is documented in the Bible in the book of Acts 19.

The sons of Sceva tried to cast out demons when they were not spiritually sound and the demons ended up attacking them.

Matimba’s skit also comes at a time when many Zimbabweans are seeking divine interventions to solve their problems which include, but are not limited to, poverty, ill-health and unemployment. Daily News