daniel chigunwe
Trust Khosa
Local entrepreneur and headstone designer, Tendai Mbofana, has pledged to honour the late actress Rhoda Mthembe, popularly known as Mai Sorobhi, with a free tombstone.
Mbofana, who has previously designed and donated tombstones for icons such as Cde Chinx, Soul Jah Love, Paul Matavire, and Douglas Vambe, expressed his admiration for Mai Sorobhi’s remarkable journey to acclaim.
He also designed state-of-the-art tombstones, including one for Leonard Dembo, which was unveiled in 2021 in Chirumanzu District, Midlands Province.
The unveiling coincided with Dembo’s silver jubilee anniversary, during which Mbofana received rave reviews for his craftsmanship.
As he begins the year 2025, Mbofana has shifted his attention to Mai Sorobhi’s state-of the art tombstone.
Mai Sorobhi died at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare on September 12, 2022, at the age of 79.
Nearly three years after her death, she continues to be cherished as an icon, having been laid to rest at Warren Hills Cemetery.
In an interview, Mbofana of Ngoda Granites, revealed that he has started designing a tombstone for the acclaimed actress.
“As a leading player in the granite industry specialising in the creation of state-of-the-art tombstones, I have decided to honour the late Mai Sorobhi with a free tombstone,” he said.
“I realised that my previous efforts may have seemed biased towards men. After discussions with my team, we committed to designing a tombstone for her as part of our corporate social responsibility initiative.
“This decision highlighted the need for gender balance, and Mai Sorobhi’s name came to mind.”
Mbofana, known for his philanthropic work, emphasised his desire to honour legends in the community.
“It does not reflect well when the gravesites of our icons are neglected. I am determined to lead by example and give back to those whose gravesites need attention.
“Many people are now embracing the culture of putting tombstones for historical purposes, self-pride, and to honour their relatives.”
Mai Sorobhi, who starred alongside Paraffin in a local television drama series, faced financial struggles without the means to cover her hospital bills.
However, Mbofana’s initiative will duly honour the late actress who touched many hearts during her career.
“With ten years of experience in the granite industry, I have come to realise that my success means little without honouring legends like Mai Sorobhi.
“Those who watched ZBC will remember her for her witty humour. She was a wellspring of knowledge who left an indelible mark on our society. We cannot allow their gravesites to remain neglected,” he said.
Having dominated the small screen in the mid-90s, Mai Sorobhi is among the top actresses who will benefit from Mbofana’s generosity.
“I have been in contact with her family to seek their blessing, and I hope to erect the tombstone shortly after its completion.
“As the designer, I am committed to delivering my best work, just as I did with the tombstones for Leonard Dembo, Cde Chinx, and Soul Jah Love.
“I want this tombstone to turn heads in honour of Mai Sorobhi—not only because I am a fan, but to recognise the significant contributions she made.”
“Surely, we cannot let down such icons, and by the end of the year, we plan to present four tombstones to honor our legends. We want to be remembered for our philanthropic efforts, which make us stand out from other tombstone designers in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Mai Sorobhi starred in several productions, including “Paraffin,” “Asi Chii Nhai?,” “Mwana Anokosha,” and “Nhamo,” which addressed social issues such as child abuse and HIV/AIDS.
Like many of her peers, she began acting in school and eventually made it on the national stage.
At the time of her death, she resided in Kuwadzana, Harare.
It is unfortunate that she lost her battle against a stroke, which may have been managed with timely medical intervention.
Mai Sorobhi had previously appealed for help, but her pleas went unheard, rekindling the discussion about the importance of recognising luminaries while they are still alive.
At her peak, she was a role model to many young people who appreciated her humour.
With the support of her late husband, Vaxison Mthembe, Mai Sorobhi made a lasting impression in a male-dominated acting field.
She was known for taking risks in her career. The late actor was blessed with seven children.
There is hope that one of her children or grandchildren will continue her legacy.
Despite the struggles she faced in her last days on earth, she remains a celebrated figure among the stars who made an impact during her career.
