Cont Mhlanga Granted State-assisted Funeral

Cont Mhlanga Granted State-assisted Funeral

By Kamangeni Phiri

The Government of Zimbabwe has accorded the late arts genius, Continue loving Mhlanga a State-assisted funeral in recognition of his sterling work in uplifting the sector.

Mhlanga, an internationally acclaimed playwright, filmmaker and creative director, succumbed to pneumonia Monday morning at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).

He was 64.

Dr Misheck Sibanda , Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, said in a statement on Tuesday the creative and cultural industries were left poorer following the demise of one of Zimbabwe’s most respected icons ever produced by the arts sector.

“His Excellency the President, Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, has granted State-assisted funeral to the late National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) legend, Continueloving “Cont”Mdlala Mhlanga, who passed on yesterday at the United Bulawayo Hospitals after a short illness,” read the statement.

Dr Sibanda said the government granted the internationally acclaimed arts guru the state-assisted funeral in recognition of his great achievements in the arts sector.

“He came as a trailblazer in our country’s creative and cultural industries. Mhlanga was recently appointed a member of the National Team for the Creation of a Strategy for the Zimbabwe Film Sector,” he said.

Mhlanga launched his career in arts in 1982 when he formed Amakhosi Theatre. His project started as a karate youth club, before turning to professional theatre in 1988.

He wrote more than 20 plays, among them Sinjalo, The Good President, Amakorokoza, The End, Children on Fire, Games and Bombs, The Members and Vikela.

Mhlanga also helped set up Skyz Metro FM, one of the first independent radio stations in Zimbabwe.

A memorial service for the late arts guru will be held at Amakhosi Township Square on Friday with burial set for Saturday in his rural home in Lupane, Matabeleland North.

Cont is survived by a wife, six children and a grandchild.

Mourners are gathered at house number 488 Nguboyenja Suburb.