The Resilience of Precious Kabrito: Mai Ngaa Reclaims Her Narrative
From the dusty streets of Mabvuku to the glitz of the NAMA awards, Precious Kabrito—better known as Mai Ngaa—has been a matriarch of Zimbabwean street theatre for two decades. Following a messy, high-profile separation from comedian Freddy "Kapfupi" Manjalima in 2025, she breaks her silence to address the cheating allegations, the "fake" wedding, and the painful reality behind the laughter.
Biography: Roots & Early Life
Precious Kabrito was born and raised in Mabvuku-Tafara, a high-density suburb in Harare known for producing artistic talent. While she is Zimbabwean by birth, she revealed that her father is originally from Mozambique. Her surname, "Kabrito," is of Portuguese origin (meaning "Little Goat"), reflecting her heritage.
She completed her Ordinary Level (Form 4) education in Tafara. Although she describes her academic performance as "average," her artistic flair was evident early on. She participated in traditional dance during primary school and played the Marimba in high school. Her journey into acting began with community drama clubs in Tafara, where she honed the skills that would eventually make her a star.
Precious met Freddy Manjalima (Kapfupi) around 2003/2004 at a community hall in Tafara during drama rehearsals. She was just 19 years old. Kapfupi, smitten by her talent, initially sent a messenger to court her. Despite a rocky start where she "ghosted" his initial advances, they eventually bonded over their shared passion for theatre and officially moved in together around 2005.
The Career & The Struggle
The couple's breakthrough came in 2010 with the release of the album and song "Mai Ngaa". The track became a national anthem, propelling them to superstardom and winning them the prestigious NAMA (National Arts Merit Awards) Song of the Year. This success changed their financial fortunes overnight, leading to a flood of live shows and endorsements.
Despite their public success, Mai Ngaa revealed a darker side to their partnership. She claims she rarely saw the proceeds from their work. "When we returned from shows, he would go straight to the bar," she alleged. She described a cycle of financial mismanagement where Kapfupi would disappear for a week at a time, returning only when the money was spent, leaving the family to struggle with school fees and basic needs.
In 2013, Mai Ngaa traveled to London, UK, alongside Kapfupi and co-star Marabha to support the album launch of Philip Chiyangwa. Despite these high-profile appearances, she maintains that their domestic life remained unstable due to her partner's alcoholism.
The Separation & Truths
For years, the media reported that Kapfupi and Mai Ngaa had a lavish wedding. Mai Ngaa has finally debunked this, stating, "Hatina kuchata" (We never wed). She explained that the "wedding" photos circulated in the media were actually scenes from a music video/drama shoot. In reality, she claims Kapfupi never paid roora (bride price) to her family, and they were merely cohabiting for 20 years.
Another point of contention is a vehicle gifted to the couple by the First Lady, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa. Mai Ngaa claims she was the one who approached the First Lady to ask for assistance, leading to the gift. However, following their separation, she left the car behind with Kapfupi to avoid conflict, walking away with nothing but her clothes.
Kapfupi publicly accused Mai Ngaa of cheating with a man named "Tonde," allegedly discovering chats on a phone she had given to one of their children. Mai Ngaa vehemently denies cheating during the relationship. She clarifies that she had already emotionally checked out due to years of neglect and abuse. She states she only moved on and started a new relationship after she had left the matrimonial home in March 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a stage name derived from the hit song "Mai Ngaa." It is not the name of her firstborn child. Her firstborn is actually named Sithokozile.
Mai Ngaa and Kapfupi have four children together. Kapfupi has two other children from other relationships, bringing the total in their household to six.
Following the separation, Mai Ngaa returned to her parents' home in Tafara, where she says she has found peace.
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