THE death of Zambian President Michael Chilufya Sata last Tuesday, 28th October has brought with it, and heightened lots of humourless grief; heartache, sorrow and anguish, at the same time, emotions, anger; rage, fury, irritation and anxieties.
There is a general anguish, torment and sorrow, and worry, anticipation, eagnerness and uncertain expectancy on the Zambian streets.
Notwithstanding, that Michael Sata was serving President so we must all praise, eulogize, laud and extol him for his works, no; Michael Sata was essentially theatrical, a performer, a man of action! Many times he meant what he said, and said what he meant – much of what he said translated into realistic and believable feats, exploits and accomplishments.
If it were in theatre, we would call Michael Sata, a virtuoso, prodigy, maestro and expert actor, a leading player, additionally a man with a strong character. Sata’s character in theatre would be temperament, so valuable to a director as what would remain of the director is simply to chop off the energy bit by bit – we seldom have such unique theatrical players, hence even in political the late President was diverse; sharp, quick, bright, skilful and dexterous.
Michael Sata was a man, even when it has been uneasy to unearth his involvement in theatre; openly he has been one of the first Presidents to enthuse, motivate and excite the Zambian creative and arts industry with an arts ministry.
For many years from the time I started trailing theatrical events in Zambia, little did I ever comprehend we would strike and land a significant ministry for the arts; the Ministry of Tourism and Arts.
And there is emphasisis on transforming the National Arts Council into an Arts and Heritage Commission. This, under Sata’s Government has indeed strengthened and empowered the creative arts industry.
Without throwing away guidelines; from the hey days of UNIP Dr Kenneth Kaunda understood the need to promote the arts, but his cadres and ministers, seemingly did not understand what this meant.
Other than one time when Kaunda even placed the visually challenged Lazarus Tembo as Minister of Culture, the many other ministers were sleeping instead of supporting the renaissance of the arts. So this vigour and spirit died down only to be awakened later.
Kaunda, a musical extremist with an artistic bias to strumming guitar strings could not be believed he supported the arts because nothing much came from his rule; Kaunda at a personal level tried to inspire and Zambianise the arts especially music, but even radio and television stations never fully adhered to the 75 per cent local stuff he called for on the air. Ministers were merely watching and listening as artistes stood up to protest and fight on their own.
To briefly recap; the Ministry of Education and Culture originally should have been the best ministry to support the arts as it encompassed young learners in school.
The curriculum did not unfold the creative mind into independent and imaginative fellows, and then one is bound to ask what were they learning about the arts in school; mere stick and brush painting and choral singing!
Small wonder, we have good local fine artists and beautiful voices from harmonic groups; but I am looking at theatre, what did we achieve?
Zambia’s talent in the stage theatre lagged behind, essentially the skills that we saw in people like Manda Mwila, Wesley Kaonga, Graig Lungu, Edwin Manda, Jeff Sitali, Darius Lungu, Mumba Kapumpa, Kabwe Kasoma, Matilda Malamamfumu, Jubilee Mulenga, and Cecilia Mzumara were simple inert talents which if sharpened by training could have made an indelible mark beyond the African continent.
I notice that from the stage, we have leisurely struggled to get into the film industry; excellent skills in the film given the latitude and necessary backups! Look at some of the local series and movies, and the hidden skills only observed recently in Bupilo, Kabanana, The Lawyer and a Gentleman, Loose Ends, Orange Boy and many others?
From Kaunda, the foundation was laid bare, but not unfolded enough to clearly mean much to everybody. In Africa, political pronouncements make more meanings than academic ones; so lack of this political muscle, the idea of theatre being promoted much earlier died a natural death!
Schools which had a semblance to promote the arts only did so in a double period lesson per week, and the learners never all appreciated the small team of friends who called themselves the drama club members – these were strangely considered comedians or described absurdly; balya abasekesha, abafisela, abashumfwa!
Little did we ever know the so-called comedians would one day turn out rich; the industry made to preoccupy people as a full engagement and job!
To prove Kaunda had an idea, most schools had school halls with a raised platform for a stage – this should have been harnessed as the beginning.
Theatre is a rich venture once properly handled. Little did we ever think people like Bob Nkosha and others can live from making jokes, making people chuckle their ribs!
Then under Dr Frederick Chiluba, a maverick and charismatic man, we thought we saw light at the end of the tunnel under the MMD; during this time the National Arts Council was created, but it ended there with little funding; so did all the other presidents fail to make NAC tick; Dr Levy Mwanawasa and Rupiah Banda never put in much to stir the creative arts.
All said and done, Sata beats them all; if the next President coming does not seriously tackle the arts issues, we would have walked several steps backwards, and we never get to our destination.
Michael Sata will be missed by the artistes.
The National Theatre Arts Association of Zambia – NATAAZ chairperson Boyd Chibale bemoaned the President’s death, saying he persuaded for the creation of the Ministry of Tourism and Arts with Sylvia Masebo as its first minister, now spearheaded by Jean Kapata.
This is a big stride in the arts, Boyd said, admitting that his plans to empower the National Arts Council by translating it into an Arts and Heritage Commission, and conditioning the country to an arts policy were big dreams all set to see Zambian art headed for the skies.
So with his demise, Boyd cried, it is presently the duty of his men and women in charge left to buoy the ministry and do the artistes proud.
For any country to noticeably be assumed rich, it starts with the choreographing of the culture and arts of its people.
Right now, the engagement of district and provincial cultural officers is on the last legs, and moribund; these cultural affairs officers need funding and transport if they are to make any noteworthy difference to improve the arts.
Emotional remarks have poured in to remember Sata; David Kalunga, chairperson of Mufulira Little Theatre said the President’s death has taken the country aback, particularly in the arts which he passionately and wholly supported.
James Musumbulwa, chairperson of Roan Antelope Dramatic Operand Society (RADOS) said Sata’s death was a draw back as the man had demonstrated practical skills which the arts needed.
And NATAAZ vice chairperson Saul Sakala has called for the postponement of the National Theatre Jubilee Festival slated for October 29 to a later date, saying for the moment it was time to mourn the President.
Earlier, the suspension of the highly acclaimed Golden Jubilee theatre Zambia @50 festival has, however heightened mixed feelings among theatre lovers and theatre groups.
Sakala in a simple statement said, “Following the passing on of the President, the festival has been cancelled until we announce new dates soon. Yes, we have logistical and financial hardships, but we will soon get our financial difficulties over through our ministry of Tourism and Arts and the National Arts Council.”
And Sakala added that with all the solemn and somber eulogizes offered by the varied individuals over the late President, there was need for humorless hard work in the arts if the artistes are to remember Mr Michael Chilufya Sata better.
He said the President’s death has brought grief, heartache, and sorrow, and but that these should be overcome by serious promotion of the creative arts industry.
John.kapesa818@yahoo.co.uk – 0955-0967=-0977-710975