BULAWAYO - Three Bulawayo actors have taken street theatre to Zimbabwe’s second biggest city.

The trio, known as Njakenjake, are following in the footsteps of popular singer-cum-comedian Freddy “Kapfupi” Manjalima.

Kapfupi perfected his acting and singing skills on the streets of Harare before becoming one of Zimbabwe’s most successful entertainers.

The Daily News witnessed one of the group’s live performances along Lobengula Street and Leopold Takawira Avenue where a multitude of passers-by gathered to see the trio’s scintillating performances.

The leader of the troupe Ezra Dube told the Daily News his group was determined to popularise street theatre in the City of Kings.

“It is all about creativity, we realised that this section of art was lacking in the city”, said the Njakenjake leader.

“Go to Harare, Gweru, Masvingo and other places street theatre is popular but not here. We are not doing this because we are begging for money, but this is just the beginning of more things to come.

“Njakenjake have big plans for the future. We are just setting the stage for the shooting our 34-episode of street theatre drama.

“We have finished all the rehearsals and all we need to do is shoot the video and perhaps engage ZBC for possible screenings. That is something we are working on right now,” said Dube.

Dube added that his group derives inspiration from Kapfupi and Sabhuku Vharai Zip, a street theatre video from Masvingo.

Njakenjake’s works, according to Dube, seek to address social challenges faced by the current generation while also maintaining a jovial atmosphere where the audience enjoys every bit of it.

Dube is appealing for financial assistance which he said would help them improve their craft.

The other members of the group are Egness Ndlovu and Mumbuomanzi Moyo.