Six year old star
Enter5

Rufaro Chipango

Swagga T in Denmark
Last year, when nine-year old Quvenzhane Wallis received the best actress nomination for her role in, “Beast of Southern Wild” making her the youngest nominee in the category’s history at the Oscar awards, she made headlines on international news channels. Quvenzhane was heading for success and they said she was Angelina Jolie in the making. But that was nine years old and in the United States it’s not that much huge news at such an age to make it in the arts industry because even Will Smith’s daughter, Willow, started singing at nine.

Zimbabwe has got a better version through a six-year old star. Her name is Rufaro Chelsy Chipango and she hails from Mbare and is doing ECD at Ardbennie Primary school.
Fafi as she is affectionately known by her legion of fans is a dancer, singer and actress all rolled into one.

In Chipawo’s popular play “Mavara, My Culture, My Identity, My Strength” she is the little voice that says, “asikana today is my birthday . . . ”

She joined Chipawo at the age of three and today the talented infant has turned heads of world artistic directors with her energetic and creative utilities. Speaking to CLS, Rufaro said she was happy to have toured Europe because it was her dream come true.

“I have been seeing a lot of these places on television with some plays being shot in these places, I never knew that one day I would perform in Europe,” she said.

Rufaro says she cherishes moments with cast from Hans Christian Anderson, a play she also watched at the Odense Hans Anderson Centre in Denmark before seeing that play being acted by Chipawo years back.

“I remember watching the play at home but it didn’t sink in my mind. Now I have met some cast at the centre and had photos taken it was the happiest moments of my life. I also opened our act with Danish peers introducing our bicycle show. Wow it was wonderful,” she explained.

Talking to her, one would think she is 12 or 15 years old, because of her sharp mind.

The dimpled and ever smiling actress said she was shocked how the whole auditorium came to a standstill soon after her performance.

“I am the youngest among the group that are on the European tour and all eyes are on me when I perform. On my first show I was a bit shy because it was a bit weird performing in front of hundreds of white people. When I finished they all stood up applauding me before rushing to carry me. From that moment I knew that I am definitely a superstar,” she said.

The little girl owes her success to her parents and Aunt Chipo (Bhasopo) who she said always motivated her to dance.

“As my dad used to say when he would force me to dance at the age of two during functions and family gatherings, it’s always better to start young. My role model is Zahara and I can sing most of her songs,” she said.

Rufaro said dancing is her passion and she is not going to stop.

“I love to dance and sing because that’s my gift from God. I have so much confidence in myself. I can sing in the streets while walking to school and can sing while bathing,” she said.

According to her arts educator, Rufaro is the most brilliant among them all.

She is well disciplined and intelligent. She loves to play netball.

“The sky is not the limit for me. I want to venture into everything that comes to me. I love netball and reading a lot,” said Rufaro.

She loves to eat rice, chips and chicken.

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