By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Legendary Amakhosi Theatre Productions Company founder and playwright — Cont Mhlanga — says if he were to rewrite all his plays he would change everything.
The culture and heritage playwright said during his career spanning 38 years he wrote most of his plays with zeal but lacking knowledge of the real narrative.
“I am enjoying my holiday and I must say that I’m in a good space as a villager.
“I’ve been travelling a lot to destination anywhere because when I catch a lift and I see interesting people I stop by and talk to them, see how they do their things and learn.
“So I am learning a lot travelling from one place to another and meeting all kinds of people from different races, backgrounds and cultures.
“Interestingly, I am experiencing what freedom is about and learning from the elders and quite honestly, there is a lot that I didn’t know and if I were to rewrite all my plays I would change everything because what we said then is not the true narrative of our people and culture,” Cont told Gem Nation News.
He explained further when pressed to comment on his retirement: “You see, when I was at Amakhosi I hardly had enough time to learn because everything you did was within time frames. So the knowledge that I have now means that I have been foolish for 38 years. There is something that elders know but young generation does not know.
“So far in my travels, I am discovering new things imagine if you follow the Arab trade you find that one chief leads you to the next chief. And again you go to places like Njelele where you find people from different places coming together for the dance festival and how up to 400 people gather for the event is a wonder,” he said.
It has been four and half years since Cont went into retirement but he says he is on a quest to find new knowledge from his new found hobby which is travelling.
“I am travelling a lot these days and I don’t choose where to go but I just get myself on the bus and drift away. I am happy I am living life not on stage but real life,” Cont said.
Since retiring from the creative industry Cont who is the chair of the Board of Amakhosi Theatre Productions Company says he is no lover directory involved in the day to day business of company.
“From time to time the youngsters come to me to consult but I refuse because I tell them consider me dead. If I was in my grave would you come and ask? So they are now running the show and taking Amakhosi Theatre forward,” he said.
NOTE: The article was first published by Gem Nation News on 10 October 2019. We reproduced it in memory of the legendary Cont Mhlanga who died on 1 August 2022.
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