Reigning Mr Ugly (Harare), William Masvinu says he will not “resign” from his job as a porter based at Mbare Musika despite the apparent change of fortune that has seen him clinching a product endorsement deal with an agro-chemical company.
BY WELLINGTON ZIMBOWA
The 39-year-old Masvinu, who rose to fame after winning the title for being the ugliest man in the capital a few years back, claims he is now getting US$500 per month from the company Shalom Agrochemicals, plus other allowances.
He is the main character in an advert “Tauya Kuipa” where he spots fake baldness and a stern face while holding one of the company’s products.
Masvinu however, is adamant that he would never hang his boots as a porter at Mbare Musika where he plies his trade since it is a fertile ground for lyrics and street lingo which he believes are key in his envisioned career in acting.
“Handibvi panozve, pane mutauro pano, usatambe nemahwindi [I will not leave Mbare Musika because touts are creative with language],” said Masvinu in a heavy Karanga accent.
Starring as BaChipo, Masvinu is the main actor in a 60-minute drama titled Fuse Yatsva that tackles the issues of marriage, exploring how failure in the bedroom can affect a relationship.
He is now working on another drama titled Kutsvaga Rufu and says he is trying to tap the expertise of celebrated actor, Lazarus Boora widely known as Gringo whom he is courting.
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Masvinu who sold his own copies on the day had actually run out of copies of the film.
The 2013 Mr Ugly defending champion says the drama was shot in Chitungwiza but lamented the piracy scourge.
Masvinu also says he is using his money wisely, investing in a vegetable vending business where he buys cabbages at Mbare Musika for resale in his home area in Gutu where they fetch good prices. In clinching the endorsement deal, the Epworth-based man joins the league of other celebrities such as gospel musician Sebastian Magacha who has also clinched a similar deal.
Just recently a local boutique JinJam signed a two -year contract with the youthful musician that will see him pocketing a total of US$15 000.
Other musicians who have such deals are Alick Macheso and Sulumani Chimbetu among others.
