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Simbarashe Mutizwa and Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Reporters
THE arts fraternity in Bulawayo yesterday mourned the death of Sinjalo drama actor Godknows (real name Lungisani Mayedza) saying the nation had been robbed of a unifier with amazing television talent.Godknows died at Mpilo Central Hospital last week Thursday after a short illness and was buried on Tuesday at West Park Cemetery in Bulawayo.

Most actors and friends described the 30-year-old actor, tout and football medic who was popularly known as Tombo in his circles because of his pint-sized frame, as a talented unifier on and off the screen.

Cont Mhlanga, the executive producer of Sinjalo – an Amakhosi Production – said he was saddened by Godknows’ death describing him as an actor who was not hard to teach.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Godknows. He was one of those actors who was quick to memorise scripts and parts that he had to play,” he said.

Mhlanga said it would be difficult to look for someone who was as talented as Godknows for the second season of Sinjalo.

“We have a script for Sinjalo season two and finding a replacement for him will be difficult. In the original script, finding Godknows’ character was difficult as we spent six weeks searching.

“It was only after being linked up by the arts teacher at Entumbane Secondary School that he was on the drama,” he said.

Born on February 2 in 1984 as the sixth born in a family of nine, Godknows attended Manyewu Primary School in Entumbane and later proceeded to Entumbane High School. After completing his O Levels, he fell in love with acting, something that was going to make him a recognised figure in the arts industry.

As a result he landed himself a role in Sinjalo – a TV drama depicting controversial grudges, where a Shona man always got into a fight with his Ndebele neighbour – roles played by the late Sakhamuzi (real name Macky Tickeys) and Fortune Ruzungunde. Godknows played the role of a young boy who knew everyone’s secret as he sold sweets in the neighbourhood.

Fortune Ruzungunde, who played Foromani on the local drama, said the nation was poorer without Godknows as he was a man of many talents that included acting.

“Although he was not a full time artiste, Godknows was a very good actor, one who was quick to listen and learn. I am deeply saddened by the loss,” he said.

Director and editor of Sinjalo, Ndumiso Ncube said Godknows was a unifier both on and off the screen.

“Foromani was someone who spoke Shona and Sakhamuzi spoke isiNdebele so they did not click. The only person who made them click was Godknows who spoke both languages. Such was his character on and off the screen,” he said.

Sinjalo co-producer Memory Kumbota said Godknows’ death was a sad loss, not only to the neighbourhood of Entumbane but to the entire city of Bulawayo.

“Lungisani was a talented and hardworking young man. The first time I met him I certainly knew that he had what it took to be a good actor. He was also a dedicated young man when it came to acting.

“When we brought him to cast in the local drama Sinjalo, we worked together perfectly. He ended up earning the name Godknows due to the fact that he was good at what he was doing; there isn’t one day that he absconded rehearsals.

“He blended so well with the rest of the cast like fish and water,” she said.

Tombo, who was also a medic at Amavevani Football club, worked well with the club. Speaking on behalf of the club, Methuseli Mafa, who attended the funeral, described Tombo as a treasure they would never replace.

“When we learnt of his death on Friday, we could not believe the news. He was an asset to the club and offered his services to us beyond belief.

“Lungisani was an important member of the team, he assisted us with a lot of things. He was a team medic, team assistant and did absolutely everything for us,” said Mafa.