When Elton Nyirenda unexpectedly called to tell me about the forthcoming Chengelo International School’s musical drama Tiyende Pamodzi the Musical, I was highly thrilled, primarily for one reason; it’s been a long time since I last watched a thespian musical.
Musical plays are not only moving and electrifying, but resonating as they are thought-provoking, motivating, refreshing and rousingly entertaining.
Now that we have many trained teachers of music in local schools and colleges, I feel it is crucial, essentially urgent we should have plentiful concerts, operas and pantomimes at the end of term or, and year in learning institutions.
Delightfully, I heartily believe music presently classified as Zambian has significantly improved for simple reasons; contributions from teachers in schools, colleges, universities and churches are noticeable.
And consciously, I am aware that I have said this before; young people in schools are the kindergartens; nascent and blossoming as our nurseries for future stage players, ultimately for the creative film industry. And the mere fact of being involved in drama activities at school is so inspirational to them, and often away from mischief. Drama in comparison to many school programs is educative, and entertaining.
In 2002, I was invited to visit a small town south of London, Western Super mare to watch a British musical concert at a school – memories still linger on, when I noticed how much support parents enthusiastically gave to their children. Not because this was in the United Kingdom, but even when Nchanga Trust School did their musical choreographed by the talented friend of mine Evans Kalandanya last year, I observed how dynamically parents want to sustain the event and their children; colorful costume and stage props.
At Mufulira Mopani Trust School (MCM School), I have watched several musical concerts; Shaka the Zulu, When the River Dies, Little Brother Little Sister, Mr Ndalama and the Christmas Ghost, and the all-time best, the rendition of Sarafina very well choreographed by the talented teacher of music Beatwell Munankopa, who regularly designs the lyrics and music! For MCM School, I personally know that Tyson Mtonga, the head teacher is keen and equally skilled in musicals; how I wish all other head teachers supported such endearing activities.
See what! I often shakily jolt at seeing year in and out government-aided schools fail to produce and organize plays; particularly musicals, and pantomimes! Many schools pitifully fail even to assemble a team of boys and girls to call it a school drama group! Where is the hindrance and obstruction? Why are the teachers failing to run and conduct this part of social curriculum?
Does the buck end with the teacher, or and head teachers, District Education Board Secretaries (DEBS) and far along the loop possibly the Provincial Education Officer or and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education?
The dilemma, from my point of view, largely lands upon the teachers’ shoulders; teachers in schools, other than teach from the academic syllabus, they need to be eclectic and diverse. They are the major stakeholders in the general development we tend to see everywhere, and in theatre, music and the film industry.
Conceivably, perhaps, what the Permanent Secretary needs is to draw up an inspirational scheme; incentives, awards, scholarships for teachers and schools that stream drama activities
Therefore, Elton Nyirenda’s, Tiyende Pamodzi the Musical set to open for public performances on October 1 and 3 at Chengelo International School in Mkushi is commendable.
According to Elton, the play reminisces the varied and sundry past 50 years of Zambia’s political, social and economic independence. There is no doubt, this is the kind of drama and documentary many adolescents should be enthused not to miss.
Undoubtedly, I am looking forward to this musical going round for more people to watch it.
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Meanwhile, the Poets, Essayists and Novelists (PEN) Zambia Centre will be awarding the deserving students that performed well in the 2014 annual short story and poetry writing contest.
According to pen Zambia president Nicholas Kawinga, the award giving ceremony took place last Tuesday, 23rd at the Alliance Francsaise de Lusaka.
“The first prize in the two categories were two brand new laptop computers, while the second and third were dictionaries and classical books,” Nicholas said.
In the final draw, the annual competition brought together six secondary schools, Kabulonga Girl’s, Munali Girl’s, Matero Girl’s, Chongwe Secondary and Chudleigh House School with the student participation of 92 young writers.
Kabwata Constituency Member of Parliament Given Lubinda donated some of the prizes and was guest of honour at the ceremony, while the National Arts Council was represented by the vice chairperson Bright Banda.
The Zambian PEN Centre chapter of PEN International is a civil society organisation that promotes Literature and Freedom of Expression. It also believes in talent identification and development, hence the mentorship programs in schools.
I received the results quite late after I had already planned the column, and as I discuss poetry, so will I make mention of how the young people in schools performed in the event.
John.kapesa818@yahoo.co.uk – 0955-0967-0977-710975