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By Richmore Tera
REMEMBER the prolific actor and stage director who doubled as n’anga and journalist in Studio 263?
Well, veteran artiste Stanley Mambo — the director and founder of Mwedzi Entertainment Arts Company, is back!     
Mambo, who left Zimbabwe in 2008 to settle in Malawi, his country of birth, is back in Harare with his production titled Ganyu, a fusion of theatre and acrobatics that
premiered at Theatre in the Park last week.
The play opened to critical acclaim.
Mambo’s unique theatre skills were clearly evident in the star-studded cast of Malawians — Adriano Zwii, Bwanali Shaibu and brothers Iman and Rashid Shaibu — who bring out the storyline in a very powerful and appealing way that engrosses the audience.
Mambo discovered the actors on the streets of Malawi after being impressed by their talents.
Ganyu is a play that touches on pertinent issues affecting the African continent.
To some people, Africa is portrayed as an irredeemable beggar, but the question that the play raises is: “What is the African elite
class doing to redeem Africa from this situation?”
The snobbish elite class are seen wrinkling their noses at the squalor that their fellow Africans are experiencing, yet they are
not taking any action to alleviate the
situation, except enjoying themselves in the comfort brought about by the wealth they amassed.
Growing up in Zimbabwe, Mambo’s
passion for the arts manifested itself at a very tender age.
No wonder he grew up to become one of the most outstanding artistes of his generation, having directed productions like “All Systems Out Of Order”, “Heaven’s Diary” and “Conquered Plans”.
He was also a member of the acclaimed dance troupe Theatre Talipot.
The play will run until February 26 at Theatre in the Park with daily shows except on Sundays and Mondays.