Kumbirai Chikonye aka Mbuya Mai John

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Kumbirai Chikonye

Born on the 8th of September 1982, Kumbirai started acting career in secondary school. She joined Ziya soon after completing her O-Levels in 1999. She is the longest serving female member of the Trust.

This was probably because she got married to Wellington Chindara, also a professional actor, and both believed in the arts as a viable industry.
Her shared belief has soon manifested itself in the success of their first DVD Sabhuku Vharazipi. As the heroine in the play, she is the subject of a lot of admiration from fans.

She was a natural for the role after having won provincial auditions to act in the touring plays Dare Enkundleni and Super Patriots and morons respectively. She has since become a mature actress and is able to take up any role thrown at her.

Major Highlights of Kumbirai's career:

1.Successfully auditioning for the provincial version of the regionally touring production Dare Enkundleni in 2001

2. Successfully auditioning for the provincial version of the regionally touring production in 2005.

3. Taking the major supporting role in the icebreaking production Sabhuku Vharazipi

4 .Being one of the trustees in the newly formed Ziya Cultural Arts Trust