Times are really hard for former television personality, Lawrence Simbarashe, who acted as Bhonzo on the popular ‘Timmy naBhonzo’ television series some years ago.

The harsh economic conditions in the country have forced the aging actor and presenter to the bus terminus to shout for passengers to get into various buses going to different routes in the country.

But the comedian seems to have struck a better deal with Pioneer Bus Company where he does much of the touting.

Simbarashe is breaking new ground this time away from the television screen and radio microphones.

The new career path has seen him earning himself a new title of ‘Hwindi’ a street name for touts in Zimbabwe.

He has is assisting mainly Pioneer Buses a great deal in marketing their new routes in the country and abroad.

An official from Pioneer Buses admitted that Simbarashe had become part of them and was playing a part in the latest marketing strategy ‘on the road’.

"We have him in the bus as our part-time man. He is helping us with promoting new routes and he has been doing very well. You cannot call him a ‘Hwindi’ because he is on contract unlike other touts who just do so in a haphazard manner," said the official.

The affable character was recently seen at the Showground Bulawayo bus termini, going through his paces urging travellers to board the yellow bus to Bulawayo.

He was even rivalling the seasoned touts who proved to be no match for the big white-headed comedian.

They had to watch and marvel at the jovial smoking character that Simbarashe is.

When asked if he was now an employee of Pioneer Buses, he reluctantly said he was only, "helping out the boys", in reference to the bus crew. Simbarashe has since the demise of his television show become a familiar advertising voice or face on both radio and television.

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