Renowned actor and playwright Thlupego Chisiza, son to theatre maestro late Du Chisiza Jr, who died yesterday at Ndirande Health Centre in Blantyre, will be laid to rest today.
His sister Maesidiso said the funeral service will take place at Robin’s Park in Blantyre from 10am.
“Only God knows why it had to happen. I will miss my brother,” she said.
His brother Dumbiskani also said he would miss Thlupego.
“We were working on a project together. I don’t know how we will manage it without his presence,” Dumbiskani said.
Actor and playwright Misheck Mzumara, who is currently pursuing theatre studies in United States of America, described Thlupego as one of the best performers he has collaborated with.
“He has always been dedicated to theatre and never disappointed. It is sad that such a great, dedicated and talented young actor is no more,” Mzumara, who went on a countrywide tour with Thlupego in an Athol Fuggard production Sizwe Bansi is Dead, said.
He added that Thlupego was a good music video director and that he directed several music videos for musicians.
Zindaba Chisiza, an academician and brother to the departed, said Thlupego was a great man who loved, lived, dreamed and breathed theatre.
He said, for 20 years, Thlupego was in theatre, making theatre in a way “he is, indeed, late Du Chisiza’s son”.
“I will remember him as Thlupego Chisiza the great man, theatrical genius, pioneer, very courageous man, loving man, kind man. He is someone who took over the mantle of his father’s craft and pursued it and his work with Lions Theatre, Nanzikambe, among others, is a testimony that he was, indeed, Du’s theatrical son and he took over the mantle,” Zindaba, who is currently in the United Kingdom, said.
He also said that Thlupego was a courageous person who stitched a powerful political production titled Semo that led to his arrest on stage at Robin’s Park in Blantyre during former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika’s reign.
“He was young then, in his prime, but he used his talent to give a voice to the oppressed and that is a testimony of his being a genius. He was surely a theatre genius and pioneer and we are blessed that there is so much material that he has left,” Zindaba said.
Angella Ching’amba Bupe. who is based in the United Kingdom, said the theatre arts family will miss Thlupego.
“Very talented actor you were, Thlupe. The theatre arts family will greatly miss you. Thanks for the moments we shared on stage,” Bupe wrote on her social media page.
She said the last two productions they shared the stage were An African Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet.
Manasseh Chisiza, his brother, who is based in Germany, and is also into theatre, said the country has lost one of the greatest writers, performers and directors.
“He was an all-round artist, a complete theatre artist, very creative, humble and always willing to learn. He directed several productions for secondary schools in the Association of Teaching of English in Malawi drama competition,” Manasseh said.
National Theatre Association of Malawi President Maxwell Chiphinga, popularly known as Max DC, said Thlupego was unique in his theatrical acts and that they will miss his talent.
“He contributed so much to theatre and creative sector as a whole and his talent was like that of his father Du. We mourn with the family,” the Ntam leader said.
Thlupego was born on March 28 1983. He came from Karonga District in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu.
