Kwathu Drama Group mourns Evans Mbewe

Kwathu Drama Group has mourned the loss of its long-serving member Evans Mbewe who died on Saturday after a long illness.

In an interview on Saturday, Kwathu Drama Group leader Eric Mabedi said the group is saddened by the death of Mbewe whom he described as a rare talent.

“He was very unique in such a way that he would always take his time to research on every role given. He always went an extra mile to do well,” he said.

Mabedi said the late Mbewe joined Kwathu in 1989 when the group had the cream of talent, including Christopher Chiwalo, Jack Phiri, Esther Jekete and Charles Mphoka.

“So, for him to have found a spot in Kwathu at that time showed that he was very unique and added value to the theatre group,” he said, adding that at one point the late Mbewe went as far as joining a Zion Church just to understand its teachings better after being given a role as a Zion bishop in a play titled Tilolerane.

“He actually joined the church and congregated with Zionists in Machinjiri, Blantyre for two months just to get his role right. That was the level of dedication that the late Mbewe had,” said Mabedi.

Reacting to the news, scores of theatre lovers expressed their sadness at the loss of the late Mbewe.

Writing on Facebook Gift Mambo said: “He was unique, mature at the same time extremely entertaining. We will miss him.”

Another fan, Linly Kamba, wrote: “Rare talent is gone. He was just superb in Tikuferanji. May his soul rest in peace.”

Known as Che Jali on stage and in Tikuferanji radio and television plays, the late Mbewe succumbed to diabetes.

He was born on September 14 1969.

The body of Mbewe was laid to rest yesterday at his home in Molere, Thyolo.