Trust Khosa recently in Mutoko
Veteran actress Charity Dlodlo believes female creatives have to work twice as hard as their male counterparts to earn recognition and establish themselves in the entertainment industry.
She likens the creative industry to a dangerous jungle where women are exposed to various forms of abuse, including financial exploitation, psychological and emotional abuse, and sexual harassment.
With 24 years in the game, the 50-year-old actress has seen it all.
Drawing from her own experiences and those of other women in the industry, Dlodlo uses theatre to highlight the trials and tribulations faced by female creatives in film and theatre.
Through her internationally acclaimed one-woman play, Once An Actress, she confronts the uncomfortable realities of gender inequality, exploitation and harassment, exposing how some producers and directors allegedly abuse their positions of power to prey on aspiring and established actresses.
Written by British author Tony Layton and directed by Stanley Mambo in Malawi, the production has become an important platform for raising awareness about the challenges women face in showbiz.
Her advice to fellow female creatives is simple: they must remain firm and resolute while recognising their worth.
Dlodlo’s play delves into pressing issues such as gender inequality, harassment and violence against women, challenging the notion that women in the entertainment industry should tolerate abuse to advance their careers.
Having since relocated to her rural home in KwaHunhu, Mutoko, Dlodlo has also demonstrated that commercial theatre can win audiences beyond the major urban centres.
Although the production has been staged at leading Harare venues, including Theatre in the Park and Reps Theatre, with a New Zealand performance still pending, Dlodlo has taken it closer to her roots.
Mutoko was the latest beneficiary, with the Nyamakwere Auditorium packed to capacity.
The performance attracted community elders, members of the local business community and arts enthusiasts, who turned out in large numbers to support the production.
“I have decided to host it here for the sake of my community, so that they can understand my calling as an actress,” she told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub after the show.
“When I tell locals that I will be performing overseas or locally, they always ask what exactly I will be doing, and they are justified in asking.
“Today was a special occasion for me to show them what theatre is all about.
“The response was overwhelming, and I wish I had staged it over two or three consecutive days. However, I am really tired after two weeks of rehearsals.”
Although Once An Actress was produced during the Covid-19 pandemic, its message remains relevant, particularly as many female creatives have had to explore alternative means of survival in the face of financial challenges. “I produced and performed the piece during the Covid-19 era under extremely challenging circumstances.
“I am glad that it still appeals to many people because we are tackling serious subjects since women are often ridiculed, yet they remain resilient.
“During the height of Covid-19, many turned to vending. Tinopona Katsande, for instance, was mocked by some people but managed to turn social media abuse into an income-generating opportunity.
“In my case, I also relocated to Malawi, where I began rehearsing this play under the direction of Stanley Mambo,” recalled the actress.
Dlodlo rose to prominence after starring in the popular television soap Studio 263 for eight years, having been auditioned by the late Godwin Mawuru.
She became widely recognised for her portrayal of Mai Madziva, among other memorable roles in television and theatre productions.
Her contribution to the arts was also recognised at the 24th National Arts Merit Awards, where she won the Outstanding Actress award.
In her career, she has also worked with several gurus, including Joe Njagu, Nakai Tsuro of Tatenda Studios, theatre practitioner Daves Guzha and Danai Gurira,” Dlodlo stated.
