Latwell Nyangu
THE death of veteran actress Stella January has left a huge gap in the arts industry.
She was 54.
Stella, was the founder of Mufakose Film Society.
She took part in over 55 productions.
Mourners are gathered at her Mufakose home and she will be buried tomorrow at Glen Forest Cemetery.
Her impact on Zimbabwean cinema remains profound, leaving an unforgettable mark on the industry.
Some of her notable projects include Rujeko,Tangled, Gringo The Trouble Causer, Mawoko Matema and Vhunze.
This is what some of her friends in the industry said:
FATIMA MAKUNGANYA
“I am so broken by her death. She was a legend and to us she deserves a heroine status. I worked with her on Wenera vari tete and then on Outrage and I was the producer. Imagine, with her age, the respect she gave me as her boss unotonyara. That was Stella, she deserves to be celebrated.”
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SPILISIWE KAIKENI
“I have known Stella January since 1997 when we joined the club called Screen Talent Productions. We became a family, she was a sister to me. We we did so many productions together that include Nzungu Muriva, Maimbodei and many more. Recently we shot a 26 episode drama with her after she was discharged from the hospital and the drama is not yet out. We have lost a heroine, tarasikirwa, noone will ever fill this gap.”
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JAMES JINGO
“She was a friend both in the industry and at home, a workmate, a partner, a sister. My team and family are in denial, deep down we are hoping it is a dream.”