From Harare to Tehran: The Unforgettable Comedy of Boss Matsanga

By Regina Pasipanodya

In the bustling streets of Tehran the capital city of Iran, as people are chasing after time, a unique voice but very familiar to most Zimbabweans stood out in the buzzing streets calling upon passersby to get in the bus.

The scene is nothing short of hilarious because it is Boss Matsanga one of Zimbabwe’s renowned comedians doing a skit on how public transport is loaded at ‘Mushikashika’ in the capital city Harare.

“Mbare musika, magaba handei handei,” said Boss Matsanga on top of his voice.

However, other comedians like Kimnana scramble to board the bus negotiating the fare and with a straight face Boss Matsanga responds “it’s 2000” and of course the currency is left to the imagination.

This is one of the hilarious skits of Boss Matsanga born Enerst Mavaza and his colleagues and artists, Kudakwashe Rashman and Tanatswa Fukiza during their tour in Iran as he showcases the talent and universal language of laughter.

In this journey of bringing Zimbabwe and Iran together, the tour has enabled cultural exchange.

In an interview with ‘Boss Matsanga’ exclusively, he said his visit to Iran has been more of an eye opener as he is looking forward to learning more things for the next week.

“Now I understand what it means when our leadership back in Zimbabwe says, “Nyika inovakwa nevene”, that is not rhetoric but a fact. Iran is one country that has been a living testimony of that mantra,” said Boss Matsanga.

He said that despite being on sanctions, Iran has managed to survive on local produce.

For years Iran has been under sanctions imposed by the United States.

The sanctions were imposed due to Iran’s nuclear program among other things and targeted various sectors of the economy, including its oil and gas industry, shipping, banking, and military.

However, in response to economic sanctions, Iran adopted several strategies for survival like diversifying its economy to reduce dependence on oil exports, promote local production to reduce imports, engage in informal trade networks and establish bilateral ties with neighboring countries and regional powers to create a more stable economic environment.

During his tour Boss Matsanga realised all these strategies and is looking forward to sharing this news with the rest of the people back in Zimbabwe.

“Considering the vast resources that our country has I wish one day Zimbabwe will be self-reliant promoting local businesses and use of foreign currency in all sectors of business,” he added.

Boss Matsanga visited several places like the exhibition parks, museums and the Sasanian residence where the Iranian King lived for years.

He also met other content creators and is looking forward to a collabo, something that he always wanted.