No wonder many people turned out for a chorus of emotional tributes to the fallen hero at the basketball arena of Nyayo stadium yesterday, which was organised by Peter Sankale, alias Alexander, and others. Mzee Ojwang has been known for decades in Kenyan arts and comedy and inspired many.
As his curtain finally falls today at the Lang’ata cemetery where he is to be buried, Mzee Ojwang’s generosity with talent and laughter will remain unmatched.
A lot has been said, but more needs to be done. The comedy icon faced literally the basic challenges of life, ranging from health issues to financial constraints. It was also learnt that Wanjau had nothing to call home. He started with earning peanuts but never gave up.
Artists need to learn something from Mzee. The good, the bad and the ugly to make the right decisions and right the wrongs as the sun still shines on their faces in the industry.
SEE ALSO: WHY MZEE OJWANG DIED POOR WHILE HE EARNED KSH50k
Key among them is financial management (earn, spend, save and invest); celebrity management (at the end, remember, you are a parent, sister or brother) and career progression (don’t stagnate, find ways of improving yourself and getting better).
Mzee Ojwang was an old-fashioned comedian and actor with unbridled enthusiasm for the disruptions of inventive new forms of acting including being a ‘luo’ in disguise. His dedication and talent kept many glued to television.
Wanjau first appeared in Darubini, a programme aired by then national broadcaster Voice of Kenya, in 1980, having worked previously as a technician at Nairobi’s Mater Hospital. He was also at one time an employee of White Rose Drycleaners.
The veteran actor, who died aged 78 on July 12, saw his acting career grow by leaps and bounds even after the programme was discontinued and joined the cast of Vitimbi, a new comedy show which also aired on VoK, currently KBC.
NEXT READ: HOW VITIMBI ACTORS WERE KICKED OUT OF KBC
