By JOHN KAPESA –

THOSE of us involved in theatre and other performing arts have generally been unsuccessful in many things; but chiefly as artistes in not managing and keeping to historic dates, events, literature and other artifacts. Ask around; most artists, if anyone has any documents he or she first created as a script in the distant past!
Elsewhere, documentations and memories of history which include people and events are always memorable and regularly commemorated.
For Zambia, the most remembered day is October 24 and always celebrated as a nation; perhaps, it is because this day is politically predisposed. Other days, if my memory serves me right, are the United Nations declared days and not the memories and contributions of our literary and music geniuses like Stephen Mpashi, Mwansa Kapwepwe, Moses Kwali, Julius Chongo, Mapopa Mtonga, Paul Ngozi, Nashil Pitchen Kazembe and Peter Kalumba Chishala; the list is indistinctly long.
Well, this is why many times I tell my friends that if we are to succeed in our journey to promote theatre, we need political goodwill! And the PF government, to a larger extent has demonstrated through the various support programmes for the arts – it’s the artists themselves who seemingly have many times mishandled running their own affairs!
I do not want to go further into the polemics of who is fumbling, and who is not; but want to look at the giant event coming organized by the Kabwe-based theatre ensemble, Bantu Theatre ensemble. Bantu Theatre is soliciting for funds to bring 800 people to Kabwe to commemorate the Zambia Shakespeare Performing Arts Festival scheduled for 14 to 20 March at Mulungushi University in Kabwe.
According to Fredrick Mulando, who is the group’s director said Bantu Theatre is an old theatre group, which seemingly had gone under, but was actually involved in health sensitizations and trying to make artists eke bread and butter from the arts: Now Bantu theatre is back again on the scene, and will premiere their theatrical activities by joining the world in the Shakespeare Week to mark the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.
Fredrick said his committee was enthused with the Shakespeare event saying it was bringing Kabwe into the limelight. He said his team of organizers which include Patrick O’sanin, an Irish who is the group’s treasurer has invited scholars from local schools in Kabwe, and possibly those that would find time to travel to the Broken Hill town and be part of the event were welcome.
“We are providing accommodation and food to our invited participants for a week,” Fredrick said admitting that the theme was, ‘Celebrating 400 years of Shakespeare’s creative legacy.’ Agreeably, Shakespeare is one of the greatest dramatists the world has ever produced.
Shakespeare’s plays have lived on, and are annually produced even when there caricature, costume and versions are often altered and changed to suit the times, the themes and storylines have remained innovative and creative.
Fredrick said following the week of celebrations, a revival of other formal theatrical activities will take primacy in Kabwe, and shift to such venues at Venus theatre.
The Shakespeare week will feature drama, poetry, music, dance, drawing, paintings, sculptures and a tour of cultural heritage sites in Kabwe.
“We are soliciting for public support; financial, moral and otherwise to make the event memorable, and successful,” Fredrick said
Fredrick acknowledged that Bantu theatre had sort permission from the original Shakespeare in London, and were given a go ahead. He confirmed that invitations have been extended to the Minister of Tourism and Arts Jean Kapata as guest of honour, while the British High Commissioner and other dignitaries were viewed to attend the event.
Well done Fredrick and your team. It will surely be exciting to watch something about William Shakespeare. I remember having watched some of the British playwright’s plays, but remarkable are The Tempest which I saw at Berlin Theatre in Street, South of Summerset and at the open Global Theatre in London I watched Romeo and Juliet.
Commemorating the Shakespeare week should give us food for thought; can’t we think of remembering our fallen literary and musical heroes and heroines? These are some of the activities our cultural departments can find time to be involved in.
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Meanwhile, on the Copperbelt, news of a new theatre promoters’ institution has passed through, what with high class names associated to the world of theatre in Zambia involved! In a statement, the team is organizing the launch and various programmes that include celebrating this year’s World Theatre Day on March 28.
Following the minutes of the last meeting held at Kitwe Little Theatre a fortnight ago, Pamela Hojane, who is the committee’s secretary, indicates that various activities will be on sample during the launch which has attracted an unnamed high class dignitary.
Pamela writes that the event to launch the promoters programme will unveil its essence; when contacted National Arts Council (NAC) director Adrian Chipindi intimated that regional arts promotions were welcome and necessary if a country was to continue promoting the arts.
He said the promoters’ team on the Copperbelt was welcome, and would be supported.
John.kapesa818@yahoo.co.uk – 0955-0967-0977-710975