Renowned actor, playwright, director and dancer Thlupego Chisiza, son to theatre maestro Du Chisiza Jr, was laid to rest at HHI Cemetery in Blantyre Monday.
A sombre mood immersed HHI Cemetery as remains of Thlupego, a man who lived and breathed theatre, were being interred.
The presence of scores of people, who included Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa, who laid their wreaths, was proof enough that Thlupego was, like his father, no ordinary artist in the drama domain.
During the funeral ceremony, which took place at Robin’s Park, a venue at which Thlupego acted a political production titled Semo that got him arrested on stage during former President Bingu wa Mutharika’s regime, members of National Theatre Association of Malawi (Ntam) staged a play that spoke volumes of Thlupego’s prowess.
The members also took advantage of the funeral ceremony to hit at politicians and the government for their tendency of “wanting to assist artists” when they are dead.
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Ntam President Maxwell Chiphinga, popularly known as Max DC, lamented, in his eulogy to Thlupego, about the creative sector’s challenges and called upon Kamtukule and Nakhumwa to help them lobby for the enactment of the National Arts and Heritage Council (Nahec) Draft Bill, which, he indicated, was long overdue.
“We are thankful to the line minister, who has assured us that the bill will be in Parliament during the next meeting in September but we call upon you to help to have it passed,” Chiphinga said.
He also bemoaned the lack of proper infrastructure for the creative sector in the country and zeroed in on the delay to rehabilitate Blantyre Cultural Centre, formerly French Cultural Centre.
Kamtukule, who indicated that she was supposed to be in Zambia for a gathering where she was to talk about tourism linking it with arts, described Thlupego as talented and that he was a unique artist.
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On artists’ requests, she said the government was committed to uplifting the creative sector, describing it as vital in the development of the country.
“On the National Arts and Heritage Council Draft Bill, we will make sure that it is passed once it comes to Parliament because it is important for the growth of the creative sector,” she said.
Nakhumwa also described Thlupego as unique and that he was following in his father’s footsteps as far as drama in English is concerned.
“He was among the few that took drama in English head on, just like his father, and his death is a huge loss to the creative sector and the country,” the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament said.
He admitted that the Nahec Draft Bill was long overdue and that it was high time it was passed and assured, that once it comes to Parliament, they would support the bill.
In her tribute, Thlupego’s sister Khumbata said she would miss her brother.
The actor, who is the brains behind Lions Theatre, joined forces with his brother Tiwonge to form The Remnants Lions Theatre Company and were on the verge of premiering a film titled Belinda.
Thlupego, who came from the Area of Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga District, was born on March 28 1983.
He is survived by four children.
