Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimapapers Arts, Entertainment Hub
Twenty-eight years after the late Cont Mhlanga first staged his timeless and refreshing play, The Members, in Bulawayo and Harare respectively, the production remains as relevant today as it was in 1998.
At a time when the Second Republic is championing accountability, hard work, and service delivery among public officials from grassroots to national level, The Members serve as a powerful reminder of the responsibilities entrusted to elected representatives.
It is undoubtedly a play that continues to resonate with contemporary audiences.
This month, the production was staged at Theatre in the Park, nestled in the heart of Harare Gardens, where it left theatre lovers thoroughly entertained and deeply reflective.
The humour, satire and stellar performances by a star-studded cast comprising Daves Guzha, Memory Kumbota, Eunice Tava, and Zenzo Nyathi combined to deliver a memorable theatrical experience.
With plans now underway for a national tour, beginning with Bulawayo, Mhlanga’s legacy continues to shine brightly four years after his death.
Watching the play was not only entertaining, but also an eye-opening experience.
Mhlanga’s thought-provoking work remains a powerful reflection of the growing disconnect between elected representatives and the communities that put them into office.
It exposes how some leaders neglect their constituencies once elections are over and the votes have been secured.
Although this trend has persisted for years, there has been a noticeable shift in mindset among some policymakers, many of whom now spend more time engaging with their constituencies and addressing local concerns.
A pioneer of theatre for development and advocacy, the late Cont Mhlanga penned The Members out of a deep concern for society.
Nearly three decades later, the play continues to challenge leaders to remain accountable to the people they serve while inspiring citizens to demand better representation.
The play was directed by theatre guru Daves Guzha. The set design was done by Marvin Mabikwa, while Yeukai Mhandu was responsible for wardrobe and costumes. The play was also staged at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) in 1999.
More than 25 years later, Guzha, a close friend of the late Mhlanga, has revived the production to rekindle memories of the acclaimed play. Its themes remain remarkably relevant to contemporary society.
The story centres on a member of Parliament named Mujaji, played by Guzha. MP Mujaji is an arrogant legislator who rarely visits his constituency, preferring instead to enjoy the comforts and luxuries of city life.
Memory Kumbota plays the role of the young Koseshle, while Gloria serves as the MP’s private secretary. Veteran actor Zenzo Nyathi portrays an elderly man from Bomanzi who has become frustrated by MP Mujaji’s neglect of his constituents.
The MP fails to fulfil basic responsibilities such as ensuring access to water, a critical need in his constituency. The provision of clean and safe water remains one of the most essential services required by rural communities.
While water shortages continue to affect many communities, Government programmes such as the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme have benefited millions by improving access to water.
In the play, MP Mujaji angers villagers through his failure to address their concerns or engage with them. He has become so pompous that he no longer has time for the very people who elected him.
Nyathi’s character spends months trying to secure a meeting with the MP, but to no avail.
For eight months, he is repeatedly denied an audience as the MP claims to be too busy.
Eventually, the community mobilises its own resources and successfully implements a water project without the MP’s assistance.
The project’s success suddenly prompts the MP to associate himself with the initiative and claim credit for it. When parliamentary elections are eventually held, the electorate votes him out of office because they have lost confidence in his leadership.
Fundamentally, the play addresses the issue of absentee MPs who neglect their constituencies after elections. Many citizens feel abandoned by representatives who disappear after securing votes and only reappear when the next election approaches.
This reality is powerfully portrayed by Guzha and his cast.
Many communities continue to long for meaningful engagement with their MPs, who are expected to be the ears and voice of the people they represent.
Today, MPs have access to resources such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which is designed to support development projects in their constituencies. The play highlights the importance of using such opportunities responsibly for the benefit of communities.
Mhlanga’s enduring commitment to theatre for development shines throughout the production, proving that his vision remains alive long after his passing.
Nyathi, a multi-award-winning actor, has been active in the theatre and film industry for more than two decades. Eunice Tava is also a decorated actress and director who has contributed immensely to Zimbabwean theatre.
Kumbota is equally respected in the industry, while Guzha’s contribution to Zimbabwean theatre needs no introduction.
According to Guzha, the production is also a tribute to Mhlanga’s legacy while continuing the tradition of theatre for development that the playwright championed throughout his life.
Mhlanga’s impressive body of work remains as influential as ever. After winning numerous awards and mentoring generations of young artists through Amakhosi Theatre in Bulawayo, his legacy continues to inspire Zimbabwe’s creative community.
All these themes and tributes are captured in The Members, a timeless production whose message remains as relevant today as it was nearly three decades ago.
