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the Studio 263 cast.

The charismatic actor, who rose to fame when he starred as CC (short for Cremio Chimedza) in The Saga, landed another supporting role in Studio 263 in which he plays Themba Dube, a media mogul who owns a radio station called BEAT FM.

“It’s been really good at Studio 263 and working with such experienced actors like Ben Sibenke, Charles Kapfupi among others has given me the urge to become a better actor.
“Obviously, I am not going to die an actor and one thing I want to do is to start my own television production. So for me it has been an experience one that I will cherish forever,” Mafundikwa said.

Asked why he left The Saga, Mafundikwa said it was about the exposure.
“There is no denying the fact that Studio 263 has a huge following both in Zimbabwe and outside the country as it is screened on AfricaMagic Plus on DStv.

“Secondly, I have endeared myself with the audiences who from time to time stop to ask what’s going to happen next in the soap. Although we don’t pre-empt the upcoming episodes you can tell from the responses that people are watching the soap.

“I am hoping that by the time I’m done with Studio 263 I should be able to start my own thing since I have learnt so much from people like Godwin Mawuru (the producer of the soap),” he said.
Mafundikwa said Studio 263 was an eye-opener as it gives him the platform to showcase his talent.

“To be honest I really like the vibe. There is a story to tell in Studio 263 and that’s important for the success of any soap. Another thing is that I fitted well in that role which like many of the roles I have played I just adapt to it which is the hallmark of any good actor or actress,” he said.

As Themba Dube, he is friends with James (played by Hillary Indi) who also finds himself in the same situation after he was dumped by his girlfriend.
But Themba has become such a womaniser after his wife – Grace – left for the Diaspora.

But how does Mafundikwa manage to handle the different roles?

“Well, I think it has to do with my character. I interact with different people at different levels and I learn a lot from them,” he said.
Studio 263 is the first Zimbabwean soap to hit the screens and airs on ZBCTV every week. Like most soaps, Studio 263 has seen actors come and go without losing its following.