By Genevieve Nkiwan

“My acting career started when I was 13 years old at 7 Arts Theatre where I acted in a stage play called The Singer directed by my former maths teacher Roger Hawkins. He walked into class one day and said, “I’m giving up teaching for directing theatre who wants to act?” I put my hand up and a month later we were in rehearsals. Haven’t looked back ever since.” – Leroy Gopal

AS we continue on the journey of all things creative, this week I would like to remind us all that it is an undeniable fact that no matter where we go in this so-called ‘global village’, Zimbabweans cannot help, but leave their mark!
This week I wish to continue in provoking thought and dialogue on all the issues that relate to the creative sector of Zimbabwe.
And as I focus on the craft of storytelling and our film and entertainment industry, in the coming weeks I aim to share the thoughts and dialogue of some of Zimbabwe’s amazing sons and daughters who are raising the country’s flag high wherever they are.
I have begun reaching out to those outstanding ‘Zimbos’ and in recent weeks, I have been in touch with two amazing brothers who are doing us proud as they dish out their craft as actors.
Leroy Gopal and Luthuli Dlamini are brothers who have continued to bring a proud smile whenever you watch them in action or get the opportunity to talk to them.
The two have been plying their craft across the Limpopo to the south.
When I was last in South Africa, Luthuli told me that he could not wait to come home and work with some of the players in the industry.
He is serious about developing scripts and telling stories here at home.
Even with all his drama around Scandal and Generations to name just two of the major soaps that Luthuli has starred in, you need see him in his role as ‘Robert Sobukwe’ and you will know that we were all born for greatness.
In the coming weeks I will share with you my dialogue with Luthuli and his thoughts and feelings about his country and what he wants to come and do here at home.
This week however, I am so happy to share my dialogue with Leroy Gopal. When I got an email from him just before going to press, I was just blown away by Leroy who is proud, “kusimudzira mureza weZimbabwe!”
As an actor, Leroy Gopal made his name in Zimbabwe when he played the role of ‘Tiyane’ in the Zimbabwean blockbuster movie, Yellow Card.
Leroy attended Budiriro Primary School, Glen View High School and Hartzell High School.
He got his ‘O’ Levels and went to Masvingo Catholic College where he studied Drama and Theatre in 1995.
He is a trained actor with a BA (Honours) in Live Performance and Motion Picture from AFDA.
His recent award at the SAFTAS was for me the most awesome moment of victorious glory because there are not many who wave our flag high when it counts and there was Leroy Gopal making a very firm declaration in Shona as he held up the award, reminding the world actually that he was proudly Zimbabwean.
This is part of my conversation with Leroy.
Genevieve email to Leroy
“I am sure you will agree with me when I become nostalgic about how vibrant our creative industry was in Zimbabwe and when I look at the progress being made just across the Limpopo, my heart kinda bleeds for Zimbabwe.
“I would like to see some meaningful collaboration between all players in the creative sector in Africa.
“For Zimbabwe especially, I would like to see people like yourself and Luthuli Dlamini among others come home to discuss making movies and running some acting classes for the youngsters here at home.
Would you be up for this?
“I am hoping to have a film or entertainment Indaba later this year and it would be good if you were available to discuss supporting the Zimbabwe creative sector.
What do you think?
“For starters I am keen to know from the get go, how do you feel about giving back to your country?
“Would you support possible collaboration between yourself and others that you have worked with in coming to Zimbabwe to look at developing scripts for Zimbabwe?”
Leroy response to Genevieve
“Hie Genevieve
“Thank you so much for your email.
“I’d love to stay in touch with you regarding the subject at hand.
“It would be an honour.
“It will also be good cause I’ll give you exclusives on work I’m doing. 
“It is also with great desperation, that I really wish to see the Zim entertainment side of things rise back to where it was and even bigger. “The talent is there and passion beyond measure to back it up.
“I find that there are a few major steps to take to build the entertainment in Zimbabwe.
“Technically there is a huge gap that needs to be filled.
“From camera equipment, sound and edit suites that have all the latest digital gismos.
“There is also a need to recreate grassroots level for training and then provide some sort of sustainable development.
“I think if Zimbabwe could invest time and money to these few levels of excellence in entertainment, we can go far. 
“Yes I would support and collaborate Zim content and projects.
“Even though it’s been tough to find companies to team up with, I’d be willing to and believe that, that is the way forward. 
“Zimbabwe also needs great script writers.
“There’s so much raw content to create enough TV and cinematic productions that could be well received locally and internationally. “Even in South Africa, great writers are difficult to come by.
“Any great production starts with a great script. 
“It would be great if the people who are currently in the entertainment industry could share skills mastered to help development and sustain skills acquired.
“Sometimes people are too selfish with information.
“That’s why I would support an entertainment indaba, where we can share skills, host acting clinics, voice coaching etc.
“The sky is not the limit and Zimbabwe entertainment has so much potential.
“If cooperates could lend a hand in supporting, it would be even better. “Currently I find that the musicians have realised that there are so many genres to play from and that’s why there is a shift in the music industry in Zim.
“There are great comedians coming out of Zim, actors, actresses.
“It would be great if one day we could all be working out of Zimbabwe and giving back to our own mother soil.”  
Kind regards 
What else can we say to this?
Wait and see what Luthuli Dlamini has to share with us next week.
Let’s get our act together my brothers and sisters and do our bit, “kusimudzira mureza weZimbabwe.”