Cont Mhlanga dies

by | Aug 1, 2022 | Entertainment, Local News | 0 comments

Cont Mhlanga dies

Mako Jerera

Zimbabwean playwright, film-maker and theatre director who is also the founder of Amakhosi Theatre Productions Company Cont Mdladla Mhlanga has died.

Mhlanga passed on in the early hours of Monday.

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) Executive Director Nicholas Moyo confirmed his death in a statement.

“It is with a heavy heart and intense sadness that the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Board and Management announces to the nation and the Cultural and Creative Sectors in Zimbabwe and internationally the sad passing on of the legendary Conte Mdladla Mhlanga,” said NACZ executive director Nicholas Moyo.

The veteran playwright was admitted to a Bulawayo health facility 10 days ago and the situation deteriorated in the last three days.

“His career in the cultural and creative industries began in 1982 when he formed Amakhosi which started as a youth karate club but switched to professional theatre in 1988. The Nation will be informed of further details of the unfolding situation in due course,” said Moyo.

Mhlanga was also instrumental in the setting up of Bulawayo’s first regional commercial radio station, SkyzMetro FM and its sister station, Breeze FM in Victoria Falls.

He was also involved in the setting up of the newly licenced television station, Keyona TV.

More to follow…