Malawi theatre association ends actor Chisiza’s ban

National Theatre Association of Malawi (Ntam) in the Northern Region has lifted the ban imposed on Lions Theatre playmaker Thlupego Chisiza, for he has proclaimed himself born again.

Ntam chapter president Sam Sambo in October ordered the son of fallen drama legend Du Chisiza and company never to tour the region unless he paid the money he owes Pace actress Beatrice Nundwe who took part in his performance at Mzuzu University.

Although Thlupego said he failed to pay the K2 500 because the show was a flop, Sambo said last week that the young Chisiza is no longer a persona non grata since he had issued a public apology on Theatre Malawi, a meeting place for dramatists on Facebook social network.

Said Sambo: “Although Thlupe has not apologised to us in person, we thought it was courageous and adequate for him to issue the public apology online. We have no grudge and he is free to hold shows in our territory, but he must remember to pay back what is due to the lady and other dramatists in the region.”

In the Saul-to-Paul epistle, Thlupego said sorry to those offended by his behaviour and regretted soiling the image of theatre practitioners with his antics.

Like the prodigal son in the Bible, the Semo playwright begged to be accepted back because he did not know what he was doing.

The turnaround attracted an ovation even from Pace director Gibson Chisale who bitterly criticised Thlupego on the online platform for getting the actress after claiming that Lions Theatre actors were injured in a car accident.

Joining the bandwagon, veterans Ben Msuku and Frank Patani Mwase, who co-starred in Du’s Wakhumbata Ensemble Theatre, said the fallen great should be happy to see his son take the bold decision.

However, Thlupego said he is already a born-again Christian, but only apologised because some dramatists and his haters find pride in slandering his name.

 “Soon after posting the message, I received 380 messages. It shows people want me to behave seriously, but it is time they also started treating me as a human being,” said Thlupego.