Renowned actors Michael Usi and Bon Kalindo, popularly known as Manganya and Winiko, respectively, assured theatre lovers on Saturday that they will continue with their escapades despite their other engagements.
Debuting at Apollo Auditorium in Blantyre on Valentine’s Day, Usi and Kalindo said they have always been best friends regardless of their political affiliations and that they will continue to entertain people with their artistry.
“I have stayed in Blantyre for so many years but have never performed at Apollo. This is a good venue. I started drama with Winiko long time ago and whenever we want to perform, we always come together,” Usi said.
He said apart from preaching love, the production, titled Mawa Silero, also dares people not to sideline culture in their day-to-day activities.
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“Let us, for example, not do shortcuts when we want to marry; let us follow all the processes because that is part of culture,” Usi said, thanking people for showing up and braving rains.
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Kalindo also hailed Usi for inviting him to be part of the cast, saying he was passionate about drama.
“I hope to be free for more performances. Let me also invite actors out there to try out Apollo; it is a unique place, especially in the absence of Blantyre Cultural Centre. We need to treasure such venues,” he said.
Secretary for Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism in the Ministry of Trade Wiskes Nkombezi said theatre was one of the art disciplines that needed to be supported in that it attracts tourists.
“This is part of domestic tourism and, so, we need to support our artists; we need to use art to elevate tourism,” Nkombezi said.
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Usi, who is also the country’s former vice president, returned to the stage alongside Kalindo and other veteran actors such as Enifa Chiwaya, Linda Chatha, Margaret Chikwembeya, Ferguson Magona and Ruth Simika.
Dubbed Valentine Comedy show, the play attracted a-not-so-huge audience but this did not put the cast off pace.
Led by Usi and Kalindo, the cast shared the story of love with patrons, saying love needs to lead in all the spheres, starting off in families.
Despite Mawa Silero— meaning tomorrow is not today— showing cracks due to inadequate rehearsals and fragments in the story, the audience followed the performance keenly to the end.
The costumes were also on point, with one scene bringing Usi and Simika—better known as Mai a Sikono—who were a couple, clad in the love colours of red and white, showing the beauty of strong relationships
