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Herald Reporter
Late playwright Continueloving “Cont” Mhlanga, has left a legacy and memories of his creative work that will forever be honoured and cherished across the country, Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Dr Kirsty Coventry has said.
Cont Mhlanga (64) succumbed to pneumonia-related complications on Monday.
In a statement on Wednesday, Dr Coventry said the cultural and creative industries were poorer without ‘Khulu’ Cont Mhlanga.
“The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation would like to express its sincere condolences to the Mhlanga family and the entire creative and cultural industries community for the untimely passing on of Cont Mdladla Mhlanga at United Bulawayo Hospital on Monday,” she said.
“In as much as Khulu Cont Mhlanga is gone, he has left us a legacy; memories of his creative work and genius will forever be honoured and cherished in our lives.”
Dr Coventry said Mhlanga was a forthright and critical playwright, an unparalleled filmmaker who told Zimbabwean stories in local languages, and an unmatched creative director of repute.
“His career began in 1982 when he formed Amakhosi which started as a youth karate club, but switched to professional theatre in 1988,” she said.
“He has written over 20 plays which include; The Good President, The End, Sinjalo, Children on Fire, Games and Bombs Members only, Workshop Negative and Vikela. He also wrote three books including the play ‘Nansi leNdoda’ a former A-Level set book and ‘Ngakade Ngisazi’ a collection of short stories.”
Mhlanga starred as Mtutureli Niekwu, in an anti-apartheid movie entitled “A World Apart” in 1988.
The Friday Live at Amakhosi’ television shows on ZBC and “Dreams to Fame” demonstrated his ability to identify and nurture young and upcoming talent and artists.
“The popular ZBC TV series ‘Amakorokoza’, the scintillating ‘Sinjalo’ series of Sakhamuzi and Foromani fame and the play Stitsha illustrated Khulu Cont’s prowess as a writer and director,” said Dr Coventry. “He indeed pushed boundaries of public discourse on critical social issues through the arts.
“Cont was one of the founding directors of Skyz Metro Radio Station in Bulawayo as well as the kingpin behind licensing and establishment of KeYona TV.”
Mhlanga was one of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) 40 living legends honoured at Zimbabwe’s 40th Independence anniversary.
He championed human rights, discovered and mentored some of the country’s talented artists who include Ba Shupi, Sandra Ndebele, Sarah Mpofu, and Raisedon Baya, among others.
“His desire for quality productions, cultural diplomacy and using the arts in nation-building as well as advocating for the monetising of intellectual property (IP) and copyrights saw him being instrumental in the crafting of the National Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy for 2020-2030,” Dr Coventry.
“In as much as Khulu Cont Mhlanga is gone, he has left us a legacy; memories of his creative work and genius will forever be honoured and cherished in our lives. May his dear soul rest in eternal peace.”
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