No laughing matter

“When we attain fame, money or good life, it’s important to remember what we are, where we are coming from and going. And, most importantly, who is in charge of our lives,” says the legendary comedian and now prophet on the lessons he has learnt in over 30 years in drama.

Such has been the changing tide of his long career that he has learned to view things from the perspective of God and humanity. He is no longer active as the comedian the nation fell in love with, but he has lost none of his trademark humour, charm and charisma, which he uses to good effect in his calling as a prophet.

That is the story of the once mighty drama powerhouse and entertainer, John Nyanga—alias Izeki—who is now going by the popular moniker of Prophet Z.

There is a paradox about his new calling as prophet and leader for Synagogue for Hope Church in the populous Ndirande Township—especially Makata—where he lives. Many people in the township recognise him by the new role he wears as Prophet Z, yet, as he himself laments, few of them take him seriously.

“Because it is Izeki, who has been entertaining them for many years, some people tend to take my ministry for a joke. Yet this is a calling from God who is speaking to His people through me. Sometimes I even ask God why this is the case, but that’s how He chooses to do things,” says Nyanga almost despondently.

Some people, he moans, even speak ill of his ministry on account of his background as a comedian.

“We are in the era of prophets and prophecies where it has become fashionable for everyone to claim the gift of prophecy. That’s Malawi for you, where, when one starts something good today, everyone will do it the next day.

“But it’s unfortunate that some people still don’t know how God operates under His amazing and miraculous ministry. That’s why they fail to understand other people’s turning points. This is the reason they laugh when they look at me, thinking my ministry is a joke,” says Nyanga.

He has words of caution to people who call themselves prophets willy-nilly: “Today, some people are taking the prophet ministry for their own glory. They are even going about preaching that some people are blocking them to deliver their prophecies to the president. But I mean who can block God if really those messages are coming from Him? He always creates a way.”

Nyanga’s rise to stardom began in the early 1980s when he joined Kwathu Drama Group, Malawi’s oldest surviving drama group. Although he is interested to talk more about his newly-given role, he describes his drama career as exceptional and God-driven.

“I am where I am today because of drama. Drama has built my house, raised and educated my children and put food on my table. And my theatrical journey has simply been exceptional because it has been driven by God,” he said.

His reputation as a comedian was built when he teamed up with Eric Mabedi, aka Jakobo, with whom he performed as Izeki and Jakobo.

He knew Mabedi around 1980s, but it was only in the 1990s that the groundbreaking duo, Izeki ndi Jakobo, was born through a mid-week radio magazine on the State-controlled Malawi Broadcasting Corporation Radio 1 after impressing with their first radio play.

“John is me and Eric is John,” explains Mabedi when drawn to comment on their relationship.

But Mabedi and Nyanga did not become friends by accident; they have a lot in common. For starters, they both come from the same area which has become to be known collectively as the Lhomwe belt. Mabedi hails from Mpira Village in T/A Kadewere in Chiradzulu and Nyanga originates from Nyangayathyoka Village, T/A Mabuka in Mulanje. In addition, Nyanga was born on June 13, 1963 while Mabedi was born eight days later on June 21!

After dedicating himself to entertaining the nation and shaping people’s opinions and behaviour for three decades, Nyanga took a bow to concentrate on a different task: prophetic ministry.

He admits, however, that life has not been easy since he started suffering. Last year, he was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre where he spent months.

He recalls: “My brother, God is good all the time and He has spared my life purposely. There was time when people and the social media would kill me when I was alive. But the truth of the matter is that God has been on my side. I have been diagnosed with killer diseases such as meningitis and tuberculosis. But, look, I am alive today because of His glory,” says Nyanga.

Nyanga may be a prophet today and, admittedly, struggling, so how does he make a living?

“Life is not easy but I still praise God for His grace and faithfulness. He sees my family through,” says Nyanga, whose support solely comes from well-wishers.

He currently lives with his son who goes to school. In his absence, Nyanga does all the household chores. But he is always praying for people all the time.

Nyanga has two burning desires for his ministry: to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and see people serving God earnestly.

“Many people go to church today but very few accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal saviour. Worldly things have taken charge of their lives to the extent that Godly things come second or in times of trouble only. But it’s high time people established a genuine personal relationship with God and reap the fruits before it is too late,” said Nyanga.