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GLOWING tributes have been pouring in for playwright, film-maker and theatre guru, Cont Mhlanga.
Fellow artists are hailing him as a cultural icon.
Students, producers and actors described the cultural ambassador’s death as a huge loss to the nation.
He died on Monday in Bulawayo after being hospitalised for 10 days.
UK-based theatre producer and choreographer Enisia Mashusha, who passed through Cont’s great tutelage at Amakhosi, was devastated.
“I can write a book about how he mentored me,” said Enisia, from her base in England.
“Cont was a veteran, a legend, a mentor, an arts guru, all in one.
“He was a motivator who taught us that art is a profession and not a hobby.”
Enisia said it was a marvel working with him.
“I joined Amakhosi in 1994 as a student when he saw me performing with NASA Theatre Production, which is now known as Siyaya Arts at Stanley Square.
“Cont approached me after the show and asked if I could be part of Amakhosi.
“I didn’t hesitate because Amakhosi was a big institution and for me it was a blessing to be associated with Amakhosi, that’s when all my arts experience gained momentum.
“I remember very well when Umalume, as we used to call him, gave me an acting role.
“He once gave me the role of the main character in the play Hoyayaho and I was scared when he said that because there was stiff competition.
“All the artists were set to contest for the National Theatre Organisation awards, but I excelled,” she said.
Enisia challenged various stakeholders to preserve Cont’s legacy.
“All we need to do now is to continue doing and implementing what he taught us, and I’m happy that he used to say to me ‘I’m proud of what you have become, I need you now to concentrate on running projects.’
“The last time I talked to Umalume was two months back when he asked what I was planning to do in the arts sector here in the UK.
“He told me to be vigilant and continue to inspire others through the arts.”
Mashusha, who once assembled the mighty Mambokadzi, said Cont warned him before it disbanded.
“When I did the video Ndotamba with Mambokadzi, he called me and said I had made a blunder because those girls were going to be too big for their shoes as I had given them exposure, which turned out to be true.”
Jasen Mphepo, who also worked with the late arts guru, said:
“The local arts industry will never be the same again without the vocal nature of Malume.
“He honestly advocated for the creative sector without fear of intimidation,” he said.
The Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre boss said he was still devastated by the loss.
“An icon, a mentor, a tutor and fierce leader, especially in the theatre sector, has been robbed from us.
“I say go well atezvara, go well Malume, go well Leadership.
“My first interaction with Malume was when I participated in a regional production produced by Daves Guzhas Rooftop Promotions, The Play Of Giants.
“The directing of acting skills during the production process remains one of the top-notch experiences I have had in my acting career,” he said.
Fellow producer, Daves Guzha, who has a lot in common with Cont, said he was also devastated.
However, he couldn’t open up in detail about his feelings since he had other commitments related to Cont’s funeral wake.
“I am sorry, right now my head is on assisting the funeral.
“Will respond (to your questions) later on tonight,” he said.
Association of Music Promoters in Zimbabwe chairman, Partson Chimbodza, described Cont’s death as a huge loss to the industry.
“It’s a huge loss to the industry given what he has done for the arts sector as a whole.
“May his soul rest in peace,” he said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter