adminTakudzwa Chihambakwe
Recently, a team of talented artistes went to compete in Hollywood at the World Championships of Performing Arts and they scooped 15 top accolades but no reception to recognise such an achievement was held. A few months back, Mokoomba became the first local band to play at the storied Apollo Theatre but again there was no recognition from the responsible ministry.
Three Zambians who were set to premiere their theatrical production, “Pastor and the Harlot”, on Wednesday evening at Harare’s Theatre in The Park failed to travel on time leading to the postponement of the show. There was a lot of anticipation ahead of the opening night as many theatre lovers were looking forward to watch this foreign play; firstly because it was being done by new folk that many do not know, and secondly because of it’s catchy title.
“We failed to make it on time for the first show due to some delays we had back home,” said play director, Francis Malunga.
“There were a couple of things we had to clear and other issues, which I am not at liberty to divulge and all these led to us leaving Zambia late resulting in us failing to make it on time.”
Malunga also took time to explain the inspiration behind the 2014 multi award-winning production saying, “The play focuses on the bad reputation the clergyman now have due poor conduct by some who are involved in ministry for all the wrong reasons.
“Many a times you read headlines that say pastor runs away with a congregant’s wife or bishop rapes child from his congregation. We have realised that this is not happening in Zambia only but in other African countries and the world over, hence the need to address the issue.
“So the two-man act tries to demystify the label that clergyman are all corrupt and chasing after material things. We have taken a position to say no, there is still a remnant that is genuinely in ministry to preach the gospel,” he said.
Malunga also highlighted some of the reasons that have caused modern society to be littered with such issues.
“The major cause for all these problems nowadays than in the years gone by, is because some of the pastors are not getting any training at all. Nowadays people think if they know a couple of verses they are ready to step into ministry but that is not proper.
“There is need for one to receive training at institutions such as Bible School or at colleges of theology. Such places will help mould one into a sound minister and reduce chances of them behaving in such atrocious behaviour because they will be aware of ministerial ethics.”
Before Malunga and his team left Zambia they had been hosted by their Ministry of Arts and Tourism, which gave them words of encouragement ahead of their Zimbabwean tour. This is something you rarely find locally as the responsible ministry is seemingly clueless on how to operate.
Recently, a team of talented artistes went to compete in Hollywood at the World Championships of Performing Arts and they scooped 15 top accolades but no reception to recognise such an achievement was held. A few months back, Mokoomba became the first local band to play at the storied Apollo Theatre but again there was no recognition from the responsible ministry.
“When Honourable Charles Banda heard we were headed for Zimbabwe he called us to his office and had a long chat with us and he asked as ambassadors of Zambia to come out and do our best.
“It’s really encouraging to have such support from the government via the minister but even the Zambian National Arts Council knows we were travelling and were fully backing us.
“I believe with such support African art will go far and I hope Zimbabwean production houses are also getting support from Government and the responsible ministries and associations.”
“Pastor and the Harlot” was produced in 2014 by Bantu Theatre.
“The play has been staged at various festivals in Zambia and neighbouring countries within the region where it has gone on to win awards in nearly all the festivals it has been showcased at.
Online Reporter