Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, Sunday Life Reporter
A CLASSIC Zimbabwean theatre production is returning to the stage with renewed force, as Cont Mhlanga’s 1998 political satire The Members heads to Bulawayo for performances on July 17 and 18 at Amakhosi Theatre — more than two decades later.
Fresh from a successful run at Theatre in the Park in Harare last month, the revived production brings together some of Zimbabwe’s most experienced theatre practitioners in a reimagining that speaks as sharply to today’s realities as it did at its premiere in the late 1990s.
Blending humour, satire and biting social commentary, the production features Daves Guzha, Memory Kumbota, Eunice Tava and Zenzo Nyathi, breathing new life into one of Zimbabwe’s most enduring theatrical works.
The Bulawayo staging also carries emotional weight, coming four years after the death of Mhlanga, the late playwright, director and cultural icon whose work shaped generations of Zimbabwean theatre practitioners.
Directed by theatre veteran Daves Guzha, the production features set design by Marvin Mabikwa and wardrobe and costumes by Yeukai Mhandu. At the centre of the story is Mujaji, a self-important Member of Parliament played by Guzha, who abandons his rural constituency for the comfort of city life, leaving the electorate and their issues unattended.
Memory Kumbota plays Koseshe, while Eunice Tava takes on the role of Gloria, the MP’s private secretary. Veteran actor Zenzo Nyathi portrays an elderly villager from Bomanzi whose persistent attempts to engage Mujaji expose the widening disconnect between leadership and citizens.
Despite repeated efforts, the villagers’ pleas for assistance, particularly over a long-standing water crisis, are ignored. Nyathi’s character spends eight months trying to secure a meeting with the MP, only to be repeatedly dismissed as Mujaji remains “too busy.”
Frustrated by neglect, the villagers eventually take matters into their own hands, mobilising resources to establish a water project without political support. When the initiative succeeds, Mujaji attempts to claim credit, but the community rejects him at the polls.
For actor Memory Kumbota, returning to the stage through The Members has been both nostalgic and deeply meaningful.
“The Members marks my return to the stage as an actor after more than 20 years, although I have remained active in other aspects of theatre. The play was warmly received in Harare because its message remains as relevant today as it was when it premiered more than 27 years ago,” he said.
Kumbota said working on the production has reignited his passion for theatre, while also serving as a tribute to Mhlanga.
“Cont was my director, mentor and big brother. One of the last plays I performed in was the final staging of Workshop Negative in America, written by Mhlanga. My final stage appearance before this was in uMbiko kaMadlenya, produced by the Intwasa Arts Festival.
“It’s an honour to perform in this iconic play as a tribute to a legend. It has given me purpose once again,” he said.
