Big brother Cont casts shadow over Styx

elder brother big profile has overshadowed his career.
Styx said many people have considered him and Cont to be “one” hence he has remained in the shadow of his elder brother.
“In many instances when people have dealt with Cont or funded him, they would then brush me aside because they feel they will be funding the same stable. I have been turned down even in deserving circumstances because of this,” he said.
Styx was, however, quick to add that although it has not been easy to be overshadowed by such a prominent artiste, there are also advantages to that. He (Cont) has already walked the walk before and that makes him more experienced, meaning I can easily seek out advice from him.
“It is relatively easy for me to get his assistance and I usually bounce ideas off him. Access to the facilities he has is also a positive thing,” he said adding that Cont was his mentor.
Styx is one of the prolific directors to emerge from the City of Kings in a career that kicked off following a training stint with a Bulawayo City Council project, Iluba Elimnyama, in 1986. Kus of Canada sponsored the project.
“We trained in experimental theatre and I focused on acting and directing. We had several artistes in our fold who included Patrick Mabhena, Clayton Ndlovu, Nomadlozi Khubeka and the late Dumi Ngulube among others,” he said.
Mhlanga engaged in different roles in the theatre world as he sought to find his feet and he discovered that his passion resides in directing, after dabbling in acting, dancing, scripting and backstage.
“I was stuck with directing because that is what I loved most. I have also turned to TV directing cause of this but television has never been my thing,” he added.
The TV productions that Mhlanga has directed include “Yeyeni Bantu”, currently running on national TV, “The San People”, a docudrama that was shown in the Travel Channel in the United States and his play, “Nomakanjani”, which was also screened on ZTV.
“I need to see the reaction of the audience as they watch my work, whether they leave the theatre, jeer or applause. Unfortunately, TV does not allow that,” said Mhlanga, who won a Nama for the play “Keep in Touch” in 2002.
The playwright said he is yet to realise his dream of running a play at a local venue and attracting a full house for a month.
“Like many other sectors of Zimbabwean life, theatre was not spared from the economic downturn in the country. Before 2000 I felt I was on my way towards fulfilling my dream but lack of funds has scuttled my aims,” added Mhlanga.
He said most of his peers had also left the country while others resorted to getting employment elsewhere as arts was no longer paying at the height of the economic malaise.
Lack of experienced personnel has affected the theatre sector. He is, however, convinced that with time it will go back to the dizzy heights that it once experienced in Bulawayo. He said it was time artistes came up with theatre that attracted audiences and the corporate world.
“You cannot bank on commissioned work to bring you revenue. It is limiting in creativity and also in terms of how long it will last,” added Mhlanga.
“We need to regroup, restrategise and attract the corporate world to advertise through us.”
Mhlanga said he loves telling the African story.
“It identifies me, my background that I am a Zimbabwean story and come from Matabeleland. The play, ‘Keep in Touch’ is a good example.
“It cannot not be mistaken to have originated from anywhere else but Matabeleland as it has kwela music compositions, Matopos paintings which are unique to this region,” he said.
Mhlanga’s love for big “pieces” has not fully materialised because of funding. Mhlanga once directed “Oedipus the King”, a theatrical production that had 55 cast and crew members. His other passion is directing classics and has directed Wole Soyinka’s “Trials of Brother Jero”, “Lysistrata” written by Aristophanes and recently Bertolt Brecht’s “Mother Courage”.
He is a member of the Lincoln Directors Lab having trekked twice to New York for a stint there.
Mhlanga said he hopes to leave a legacy through his work and he is intent on passing on his knowledge to the young generation.