admin
Arts Reporter
The Government has granted a State Assisted Funeral to the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) legend and theatre Luminary Susan Hains who died on August 11 after a long illness.
According to a statement by National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director Nicholas Moyo, he said the state will cater for all the costs related to the interment of one of the most revered arts administrators in Zimbabwe.
“A memorial service for Susan Hains will be held at Reps Theatre in Harare today at 10 am after which her body will be cremated at Glen Forest Memorial Park,” he said.
“Susan Hains will be remembered for assisting many disadvantaged artists to work in theatre establishing a strong and diverse voice that represents the Zimbabwean Society. Her influence and support can be found somewhere at the base and foundation of many of Zimbabwe’s successful, actors, writers, and directors.”
Moyo said after independence, Hains was instrumental in the crafting of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Act which saw the establishment of the NACZ in 1985 which succeeded the National Arts Foundation.
“The Act mandated the new body to foster, develop and, improve the knowledge, understanding and, practice of the arts in Zimbabwe.”
“In 2021 she was one of the 40 legends who were awarded the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) Legends @40 Awards for her lifelong commitment to the arts and her role in nurturing many theatre producers, directors and administrators who have become the backbone of the sector in Zimbabwe today.”
Meanwhile, Haines grew up in Harare where in her youth she studied dance and acting.
She went on to study acting at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London and then worked in the industry in the United Kingdom. She pursued an interest and skill working in film and television as a make-up artist and on continuity.
She continued to work in these roles in the Zimbabwean film industry.
More importantly, she dedicated a larger portion of her life, from the mid-1970s to the present day, to supporting and coaching young acting talent in Zimbabwe.
Her profile grew to include the support and coaching of scriptwriters and directors.
In her role as Chairperson of the National Theatre Organisation of Zimbabwe, she was able to extend this work to embrace and include all Zimbabweans.
She facilitated the contribution of a wide range of artists and experts to develop and decolonise Zimbabwean Theatre making it more inclusive.
Born on 13 December 1942 in England, she is survived by her son Michael who lives in England.
Online Reporter