Gringo bans son from acting

HARARE – Often people use the cliché, “Like father like son” but while many fathers would want their sons to take after them, Lazarus Boora or simply Gringo has banned his son from following in his footsteps. 

The reason being that Gringo believes fame without fortune was the worst thing to happen to him.

“I banned him from performing, I know the pitfalls and I don’t want him to face the same problem. We don’t have sponsors in Zimbabwe and handidi kuti ashandire coke nerice sezvandaiita,” Gringo said.

Gringo claims that he failed to eke out a living from being “famous” after having worked as emcee at parties, weddings and so forth.

“He should concentrate on his education. I remember during my formative years I never used to get paid but instead people would pay in kind. That was my mistake. I should have earned money from my talent,” he said.

Gringo carved his name in the late 90s with the drama series “Gringo”. He is arguably one of the best actors of his generation. He played the role of a notorious gardener who uses unscrupulous means to “fix” his errors. Gringo has not dumped acting and is back in a new film called “Gringo Troublemaker” set to premiere on April 18.

For a man who has been in the acting industry for more than a decade, it is normal for his children to follow his footsteps but Gringo is having none of that. Taurai Boora, his first born, has been causing a stir since bursting onto the entertainment scene a few months ago.

Pundits have touted him to be the next big thing in the entertainment circles.

Adapting the stage name Gringaldino, Taurai specialises in dance and stage acting. He is a versatile dancer who can dance to kwaito, sungura and rhumba music. Reproducing his father’s character in the hilarious Zimbabwean comedy, he used to leave the crowd amused with his antics.

But his father has decided to put everything on hold. Gringo said he was facing stiff resistance from the children. “All the children want to be actors. In fact, my third born is more serious and talented. Maybe I will allow them later to act but for now they should concentrate on school,” he said.

A devout believer, Gringo says if the church forbids him from acting he will simply walk out from that church.

“There is nothing wrong with acting and if the church tries to stop me I will leave the church, Hakusi kuputa bute kauku ndochisiya chinamato chacho,” he said.

However, he said he was grateful that the church transformed his life.

“I was very wayward even Enock Chihombori (his producer) would attest to that. Sometimes I would drink and forget about the rehearsals. What you used to see in the Gringo series was the real me.

“I developed the character because I used to do business in Mbare and if one has to survive in Mbare you sometimes have to be street wise,” he said.

Gringo confessed that he was missing his best buddy, the late Sibangani Dube, who used to act in the Gringo series as John Banda.

“Our combination was very exciting. We would spend more time rehearsing and I enjoyed working with him. Blessing Chimoa (Mbudzi Yadhura) is also a good actor but he is laid back. I also enjoyed working with him,” he said.

Contrary to media claims that he had fallen on hard times, Gringo said he was doing well. Born in 1973, Gringo has five children. The Herald