A play titled Imaginary Harvest—involving actors from three Southern African Development Community (Sadc) countries of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe— heads to Lusaka in March.
This follows the premiere in Malawi in November last year at the University of Malawi Theatre Festival.
National Theatre Association of Malawi (Ntam) Project Officer Samuel Kapinga is currently in Zambia for discussions as regards a performance in Lusaka.
“I am excited with the whole process. Discussions are going on well and we are finalising logistical and administrative arrangements ahead of the production, which underscores our commitment towards strengthening cross-border collaboration in the creative sector,” Kapinga said.
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National Theatre Arts Association of Zambia (Nataaz) Chairperson Moses Mtonga said the production would be staged at Lusaka Playhouse on March 26, 2026, marking a significant milestone in regional theatre cooperation and artistic exchange.
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“We expect permanent collaboration, as the Zambia Embassy has assured us of more support and encouraged us to also collaborate with the University of Malawi so that Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi artists can get formal training to acquire relevant skills,” he said.
Mtonga said Imaginary Harvest discusses the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, what led to the abandonment of the federation, how the three sister nations were affected by the federation, and other things.
“We had a great experience in Malawi. We learned a different way of doing theatre and telling our own stories through theatre and more through the great networking and artistic cultural exchanges,” he said.
Mtonga said growth was inevitable in theatre, with the holistic embracing link of Sadc countries.
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“It takes me back to years of the Southern African Theatre Initiative, which collaborated theatrical activities with a view of improving artists’ welfare in the region,” he said.
He said stronger together, with a united voice in the linkage, will lead to regional profiling export of artists, artistic and theatre products across the region.
“This will grow our exposure. This link is worthy for shared artistic vision,” Mtonga said.
The mission, known as ‘Fostering Regional Social Ties through Theatre’, is a project funded by the Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) through Copyright Fund.
Some of the notable actors from Malawi, who are part of the cast, include Kwathu Drama Group’s Charles Mphoka and Linda Chatha, Mphundu Mjumira, Isaac Bonongwe and former Ntam leader Maxwell Chiphinga, popularly known as Max DC.
