Zimpapers Logo

Ashely Majaya

WHEN the inaugural Zimbabwe Music and Arts Awards were held in the United Kingdom recently, one actor who stood out prominently and with a potential to put Zimbabwe on the global map of acting is none other than Ashley Majaya (AM).

Like others that came before him that include United States-based actress Danai Gurira and Arnold Chirisa — who starred alongside Leon Schuster in the high-grossing comedy “Bones” — Majaya is also on the verge of writing a similar piece of history spurred by his award as well as the string of other accolades that he boasts of on the international podium.

Majaya, who is based in the United Kingdom, said acting is his passion and the awards have just paved way for more excellency.

The Herald Entertainment reporter Tafadzwa Zimoyo (TZ) caught up with the decorated actor and below is what he had to divulge.

TZ: How do you feel about the award as well as the inroads that the African film industry is making in its stride?

AM: I am thrilled with the current situation whereby mainstream television channels are now seriously being recognised, and I am speaking about the independent filmmakers from the African continent together with the actors and other professionals in the field.

And coming back to my issue of being a two-time ZIMAA winner, what it means is that the likes of gurus like Steven Spielberg can now recognise us and put our talents to good use alongside the cream of the world actors.

TZ: Apart from the awards, what else do have as your claim to fame?

AM: Without sounding as if I’m beating my own drum, I have a lot of years in the acting industry, and currently, I am based in West London, England. I am an associate in Magnetic Hill Film Company and was involved in the production of “An Equinox of Love”, which is a short film written and directed by company co-founders C. Mutambara and K. Sidhu.

The film went on to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013 while it has also been received at various other international festivals.

TZ: What are some of your most recent leading film roles?

AM: My most recent leading role is in a feature film titled “Trapped”, a movie written and produced by Memory Nyahunzvi and directed by Michael Mambo.

TZ: With that long history, it is obvious that you have come a long way as an actor. How did you start?

AM: My first film and acting work started as a child. That was way back in 1983. Then I played the lead role in the film, “Lost In the Wilderness”, a joint project between a Japanese and Italian film firms.

This was shot in Harare for a Japanese station and this alone tells a lot about how African talent is appreciated out there only if given the necessary ex- posure.

While we marvel at the talent that went into coming up with productions like “A Jewel in the Royal Palace” and “Boys Over Flowers”, we too (African actors) can enchant the global audience.

TZ: Apart from acting, what other professional skills in the same field have you attained?

AM: I recently embarked on VFX and Compositing Short Courses with the Escape Studios based in the United Kingdom.

This means that by virtue of coming from and working within the Zollywood industry, we have a lot of skills to show to the world for our talents and nothing can stop us.

So let’s keep the Zimbo flag flying high!