Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
Artistes in Bulawayo have been urged to take advantage of auditions for King Mzilikazi: The Musical, a theatre production that seeks to celebrate the life and legacy of the founder of the Ndebele nation.
The production team has opened auditions for actors, singers, dancers and other performers interested in being part of the historical stage production, which is scheduled to premiere in Bulawayo in September 2027 during the King Mzilikazi commemorations.
The first round of auditions was held on October 20 and 21 at Khaya Arts Village in Tshabalala, with another session scheduled for October 31 at the same venue.
In a statement, the producers of the production said they were looking for men and women aged between 18 and 35, adding that the auditions would continue until the end of December.
“For the auditions, we are interested in men and women aged 18 to 35 years. This is just the first round. Auditions will run until the end of December, so don’t miss your chance to be part of something historic,” reads the statement.
The musical is expected to combine theatre, music, dance and oral storytelling to bring to life the history and cultural heritage of the Ndebele people.
Poet and musician Albert Nyathi is leading the project as executive producer, with playwright Thabani Hillary Moyo serving as chief writer and Matesu Dube as assistant artistic director.
The production offers local artistes an opportunity to showcase their talents while contributing to a major theatrical project centred on one of the most significant figures in Zimbabwean history.
Traditional dance forms, including indlamu, isitshikitsha and amabhiza, are expected to feature in the musical, alongside dramatic portrayals of the military traditions associated with the Ndebele kingdom.
Beyond entertainment, the production seeks to preserve and promote indigenous history, music and performance traditions while introducing the story of King Mzilikazi to new audiences.
The September 2027 premiere is expected to form part of broader cultural efforts to celebrate the legacy of King Mzilikazi and the history of the Ndebele nation.
Artistes interested in joining the cast are encouraged to attend the upcoming auditions and follow official announcements from the production team for further information on casting requirements and subsequent audition dates.
