ELEVEN Days away on Thursday, 23 October, is the eve of Zambia’s foremost carnival this year; the Golden Jubilee to mark 50 years of the country’s pathway, particularly for the political emancipation, and peace, admittedly with a progressive economy, a stable trail of social and cultural freedom.
Elsewhere in the media; print, social and electronic, Zambia has been in the spotlight; stories full of honor, especially those outside the realm of our boundaries and abroad.
Indeed, this accomplishment calls for joyful merriment and partying. Many home-grown Zambians may not fully understand the ecstasy of all these celebrations, and appreciate that in their little ways, they have all positively paid a payment to the peace Zambia, has enjoyed!
Meaningful, creative and inventive songs have been collaboratively sang, and performed, this the local musicians deserve a pat on the back! The ordinary man and woman on the street understand, though seemingly insignificantly in little ways that, in their neighborhood, peace has existed, so has it been in many other places! Poems and plays in schools in reverence to peace have been staged to further admit this fact.
However, one recent notable, unforgettable, brilliant and tremendous effort of Zambia’s triumph was rekindled through a musical concert last week at Chengelo International School in Mkushi.  Tiyende Pamodzi the Musical performed by the pupils took off with its first performance on Wednesday October 1, with the second exhibition held a day later on October 3.
With a cast that exceeded 40 pupils which included Ntembe Mwanawasa daughter to the late President Patrick Mwanawasa, and other senior government officers, the performance was outstandingly impressive, as the young cast will undoubtedly live to keep the performance in mind.
As the title entails, Tiyende Pamodzi the Musical, is a musical of mutual unity, collective effort, togetherness, jointly told through the pulsating music, narrations and acting.
The play opened with the historic semblance crossing of the Zambezi River by the Ngoni people at the confluence with Luangwa River during the 1835 eclipse of the sun.
The delineation of the slave trade in Kazembe’s Kingdom was expressively moving as the players, children from Chengelo primary school melodiously sang ‘Mama Africa’ leaving the audience spellbound, and gracefully weepy.
Following the great trekker of Africa David Livingstone’s scene, predominantly during his last prayers at Chief Chitambo’s village, the tale takes a swop to present another sensitive scenario, the ingredient of the British South African (BSA) Company in Barotseland with its envoys. The climax comes round during the emerging of the siyomboka dance which generated so much liveliness, energy and vigor, leaving the audience decidedly breathless!
Further, the audience was taken on a roller costar; passions and emotions, sentimental and over-romantic as the story twirls to illustrate the contemptible challenges of the colonial government and the cry for freedom by black Africa as the case was for Zambia’s Chachacha days!
Performances by the assumed King of the Ngonis, Mpezeni a role delightfully displayed by Ezra Sitali, and Ephraim Kalumbwa as the spiritual leader left the audience awesomely pleased of the amazing talents. With an entire shrewd cast, full of potential, budding and probable abilities – these young people should not be left to remain at this stage in drama. They should be inspired to go forward. Worth of mention include Manisha Jayetileke, Lenganji Malembwa, Ruth Monde and Lesta Roberts.
The grand finale was a call for unity and encouraging the Spirit of togetherness through a revolutionized version of ‘Tiyende Pamodzi.’ This was accompanied by a display of fireworks which relatively, excitedly stunned the audience leaving them shouting for more. Commenting on the show, some parents urged the school to put the play on the road for the whole nation to see, and I agree.
The Friday evening performance was watched by the school community, parents and invited guests. Among the dignitaries was the Mkushi District commissioner Luka Mumba.
Notable personalities present during the musical were the son to the late President Dr Fredrick Chiluba, Tito and the wife of the former Minister of finance in the MMD government, Situmbeko Musokotwane.
The performances on both nights were wholesomely electrifying. The young players demonstrated prowess in their acting ability. Uniformly, the audience was amply captivated; there was never an uninteresting moment as every act received overwhelming ovation from the addressees. The enthralling boogies and the lively music generally offered by a live band and the Nkolonga United Church of Zambia church choir spiced the show to unbelievably, lofty and towering levels.
Co written by Frank Kangwa and Elton Nyirenda, and directed by Nyirenda, and choreographed by the authors, Tiyende Pamodzi the Musical presented the olden times of Zambia in a pragmatic and interactive manner for anyone to understand how Zambia came about.
It is such plays which need propping up, and support and documenting for the future generation as there are numerous lessons to be learnt both by the young and old people of Zambia.
Taking the musical round, even though costly, would be a time well spent for the school as it will expose the young actors, as well as inject a new spirit in the theatre starved audience as plays of worthy are few. Thumbs up for Chengelo International School, for once as a multi-racial school, twice for promoting drama, and kudus to the two teachers Frank and Elton for the efforts put in, and hope many others will take a leaf from this.
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At some time to come, I will share with the readers a valuable report I received from the Kasama Arts Theatre following their 21 days successful trip to Spain and Netherlands.
According to the group’s director Peter Chinunda, there were several lessons which need sharing with local artists. He wrote saying their trip was an opening page for various outings which has earned the group another trip to Netherland come 2015.
Peter added saying on their way by bus to South Africa through which they were flying to Spain, the Zambian High Commissioner welcomed them with a wonderful sendoff, and that on return, they still paid courtesy call to the South African commission, and as a result they have earned another immediate invitation; a trip to South Africa on next week to help Zambians living there commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Zambia.
South Africa.
The group has planned to share the ideas and lessons starting with Luwingu, and help prop up the many artists there. Keep it up Peter Chinunda and your team, as your tireless and determined efforts are paying off with inspirations to many others particularly those from.
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Mufulira Arts Council (MAC) with a play entitled Are the Gods to Blame has booked for a hilarious one day performance visit at Chingola Arts Society on Saturday, 18 October with director Godfrey Chitambala calling for Chingola residents to watch the play which starts at 19.00 hours.
John.kapesa818@yahoo.co.uk – 0955-0967-0977-710975Attached are two pictures of Tiyende Pamodzi the Musical showing in Picture 12:
A village scene villagers walking to the barn; L to R: Manisha Jayetileke, Lenganji Malembwa, Ruth Monde and Lesta Roberts while in the second Picture 22, a scene on the police up in arms against the Chachacha uprising in confrontation with the police.