Catching up with Samantha Boka
My dad sent me and my sister to Marondera High School. One outstanding family had two sisters, Faith and Martha Boka. They couldn’t have been more different.
Martha was the youngest, the most talented hockey player I ever saw, male or female. Getting a ball from her hockey stick was an impossible job. The Lionel Messi of hockey.
Martha was short so she had a low centre of gravity. She could turn before anyone else. She played with a smile.
The other sister was Faith. Describing Faith Boka is an impossible job. She had more varied interests, not strikingly outstanding at any of them and yet more of a grafter. Every team needed a Faith Boka. Faith was very compassionate.
Faith was first on the basketball court or athletics field. She was also an academic. She welcomed visitors to the school from competing school, the only person I ever saw do that in almost 6 years.
Faith stretched her boundaries and gave her all to everything she did. She went the extra mile.
I met their mum in 2012 and her mum’s mum. I got to know her much better in 2015, a grounded woman who was also very loyal and believed in discipline. Their dad ran the Boka Photo studio along Robson Manyika street, the trailblazing photo studio of the 1990s.
Because of these two schoolmates I read with interest about tycoon Roger Boka in the 1990s.
His youngest daughter Samantha could remember him acquiring what would become Boka Auction Floors and seeing its potential, a good 30 or so years before the Boka we know now.
From this upbringing her reasoning and perspective on matters is decidedly always a notch higher considering the early childhood exposure. That she has an interest in the arts is huge plus, on its own. Her contribution to Artistic projects is very often understated.
It is here that I met Samantha. She was very perceptive and approachable and down to earth. We were not starting from scratch There was not much Samantha couldn’t empathise with. She is an Artist who has sacrificed her own art for the greater good in talent management.
A friend, an artist, visiting UK recently found his schedule open. By asking Samantha for options, her endless, useful contacts made it worth his while.
There are people who have mastered the art of constructive criticism, sometimes over a meal. Samantha is one of them. She opens your eyes to new vistas in quiet wisdom.
A simple mistake in judgement is not enough to write you off her good books if she can have her say and one accepts redemption.
Samantha has been working as Artist Liaison for the launch of the movie “The Color Purple” at Joina City on the 26th of January 2024.
Samantha said; “Several Zimbabwean actors will be there: Shingai Shoniwa, Prudence Katomeni, Jesesi Mungoshi and Madam Boss.”
Shingai is the songbird. Jessesi and Prudence are the movie stars from the big budget movie era in Zim’s bygone era. Back when we didn’t rewind stuff or record it. You blinked, you missed it.
Jessesi’s performance in ‘Neria’ perhaps is as responsible as Tuku for his hit that went to private school, ‘Neria’ the song. By far Zimbabwe, if not Africa’s most covered song in Youtube tutorials. One performance of the song by Tuku on Youtube for the BBC attracted almost 10 million views.
There was ‘Tuku music’ the album that changed his life. But before, and after, all that, there was, there still is ‘Neria.’ Jessesi is Neria. I had a signed copy of her husband Charles’ book: “The Milk Man does not only deliver milk.” But there were other books: “Coming of the dry season” and all the other shona novels, a whole host of them.
And then there is Prudence. “More time” was her biggest movie in 1993 at the age of 14. She currently has a movie: ‘Mirage’ winning awards overseas. Prudence is a singer and has done songs like “BP yangu yakwira” and “Ruva rangu.” She sang the vocals on Albert Nyathi’s “Senzeni na.” But Prudence crafts music curriculums used all over Africa. When she talks music it’s from a position of undoubted strength.
And then there is Samantha herself a case study of a high performer. Her knowledge of local Art and Music deserves an ear in high places. Such is the exposure. Samantha is the bastion of grounding. Calm. Collected. Measured. A scheming, underrated National Treasure.
The controversy has already started. Taraji P. Henson a familiar face from many TV series has complained Oprah Winfrey underpaid her for her role.
Madam Boss or Tarisai Chikocho, one of the guests, is one of a handful of Zimbabwe’s leading social media personalities. If Madam Boss posts about breakfast or her infant “Dzabu” she will reach at least 1.5 million subscribed followers, and their friends, and even a few of her haters. Jah Prayzah has 1.4 million followers.
Sitting down with Jesesi and Prudence is a lifetime highlight for me. Jesesi’s acting changed legislation in favour of widows and orphans whose inheritance used to be legally taken over by the husband’s relatives.
The law has changed but attitudes have not kept up. Her husband, Charles could have, should have been a National hero. Her screen brother Oliver Mtukudzi is a National hero. They died 3 weeks apart in January and February 2019.
Jesesi looks as royal as ever though her institutional memory is grossly under-utilised. She knows all there is to know about monetizing talent and commercializing our film industry.
In summary, Jesesi says all the right things. Her knowledge goes far beyond the screen. She co-managed husband Charles’ writing and editing career from the 1970s. Her knowledge of the Arts industry is first hand.
Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana is a musician and an actor and a mentor in both fields. She works as a music teacher now and has students who sing for Jah Prayzah, Winky D and Feli Nandi, 3 of the leading artists today.
She has written a music curriculum being used officially in at least one African country. It marks a departure from train based on classical music examples, the train she received, to training based on local examples like Safirio Mukadota Madzikatire and other local examples.
Her cover of “Samatenga” by Simon Chimbetu did justice to one of the most profound questions of life: What happens to us when we die? She has also covered and modernized the classic “Ruva Rangu.” She has her own original compositions of course.
Shingai Shoniwa. Shingai grew up in England born of a mother in exile, Leobah Kureya, when the heat of the Rhodesian war could only accommodate one, not both of either Leobah or Rhodesia. Rhodesia prevailed.
Shingai grew up with a consciousness of a place she could have been born into. She is a regular visitor to Zimbabwe hoping to eventually settle here. When she visits provisions are made for her to settle in as comfortably as possible. One such provision is Samantha.
Shingai studied acting together with Thandi Newton OBE, the famous actor. There is acting blood in their family.
Her sister Chipo Kureya acted as Kambu in the Netflix series ‘African Queens: Njinga’ and did theatre work on the projects ‘Cursed Child’ and ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and Winnie Mandela in ‘Free Mandela.’
Shingai and Samantha are mentoring Noluntu j from Bulawayo. Samantha said: “As we are doing this project in the heart of Harare, Joina City, we must acknowledge those not local who appreciate it’s amenities.
Noluntu J is a Bulawayo based, award-winning Hip-Hop artist who represents our up and coming artists who are unapologetically proud of their roots. She is the kind of woman who is willing to be mentored and take in all the advice.
As she gets an exclusive tour of the building with us, it is her and her peers who we are in trusting to keep our values going to the next generation. Of authenticity and bravery to speak boldly”
“Noluntu J has an ability to take part in the Zim Hip Hop Scene, focusing on her craft without using beef and clout. It’s the kind of characteristic that gives female rappers longevity. A conscious lyric articulating our challenges as women but instilling confidence to the listener that you can win!”
Samantha said: “As a multifaceted talent, Shingai has proven herself as a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. Her ability to fully immerse herself in her characters, coupled with her captivating stage presence and powerful vocals, makes her a versatile and remarkable performer.
“Whether it’s on stage or screen, her performances leave a lasting impression on audiences, and she is undoubtedly an actress to watch out for in the future.”
“In addition to her acting skills, Shingai’s musical talent has added another layer to her artistic repertoire. As the lead vocalist / bassist of the indie rock band Noisettes and solo performer, she has demonstrated her versatility and ability to captivate an audience with her powerhouse vocals and electrifying stage presence.”
Shingai has been filmed in major adverts. She featured in the following Movies: ‘Cook Off’ (Zimbabwe’s first project on Netflix), ‘Faces,’ ‘Another Day in Buenos aires,’ ‘The Adventures of Abney & Teal,’ ‘Magpie,’ ‘We Always Do What We Want’ and the upcoming film: ‘Osoro.’
Samantha Boka describes herself as: “a creative professional with a global perspective, I bring a unique combination of creativity and business acumen to the table. My passion for Pan-Africanism and promoting unity in Entertainment, Media, and Business is unwavering.
“I established a 10 year career under the stage name Kyriah Dee. I have also worked as a radio presenter and in film production, gaining valuable experience that has informed my understanding of the need for industry structure in Zimbabwe.
“I also have had the opportunity to work strictly corporate setting in the farming and healthcare sectors which honed my skills working in structured environments. I have worked with upcoming to multi-platinum selling artists.”
“Collaborate with business professionals to develop compelling public profiles that showcase their expertise and establish a strong personal brand.”
Samantha is also a Lead singer, vocal coach and a performing artist. She has also worked as a radio presenter, producer and script writer.
