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Bornwise Mtonzi Arts Reporter
Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi, the first art student to be awarded a scholarship to go and study for a Masters degree in Physical Art at Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre in the United States under the Almasi Walter Muparutsa Fellowship for Artistes of Excellence, left the country last week for the two-year programme.

The wife of the late Muparutsa announced the winner at an event at Alliance Francaise. “It gives me great pleasure to announce Tafadzwa Mutumbi as the first recipient of the Walter Muparutsa Fellowship for Artiste of Excellence,” said Mrs Sarah Muparutsa.

The Almasi Walter Muparutsa Fellowship is covering travel, food and accommodation expenses for Tafadzwa until he finishes his Masters programme. Almasi Collaborative Arts is in charge of the fellowship trust.

This fellowship is the first of its kind and is an initiative of Almasi in honour of the late veteran Zimbabwean actor, director and producer, Walter Lambert Muparutsa.

Almasi managing director Mashamisi Kahari said they were happy to help Tafadzwa to pursue his studies. “We at Almasi are deeply pleased to announce Tafadzwa bob Mutumbi as our first recipient of the Almasi Walter Muparutsa Fellowship for Artistrs of Excellence.

“His abilities, dedication and excellence made this selection an obvious one. We truly believe in his future and that at heart he deeply exemplifies the commitment, pioneering spirit of the late Mr Muparutsa,” said Mushamisi Kahari.

He went on to say this was an opportunity for Tafadzwa to learn as well as to teach the Americans about our culture.

Tafadzwa thanked the organisers of Almasi.

“I am really honoured and blessed to be the first recipient of the fellowship. I really would like to thank Almasi Collaborative Arts for granting me the Walter Muparutsa Fellowship. I shall die trying to make sure that they won’t regret making this investment in my craft, my talent, my skills, my passion and my purpose,” said Tafadzwa.

The fellowship’s purpose is to facilitate the professional and educational development African Dramatic Artistes of exceptional ability and promise who have economic need.