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Cont Mhlanga

Kusile Madlela Showbiz Reporter
THEATRE lovers are in for a rare treat, starting September 1 when Amakhosi Cultural Centre which is under renovation, re-launches with daily theatre shows which will be broadcast on Skyz Metro FM.The cultural centre which used to be the country’s hub of arts was fast falling out of favour with locals as there was not much activity.

But according to the centre’s founder Cont Mhlanga, Amakhosi will never be the same again.

Bulawayo’s first commercial radio station — Skyz Metro FM will start broadcasting from Amakhosi Cultural Centre in September, a move Mhlanga wants to take advantage of to develop the arts.

He said plans were underway to have theatre productions and shows for the public which would be broadcast live on Skyz Metro FM every night, so as to liven up the centre.

“When Skyz Metro FM which will be broadcasting live from Amakhosi launches, the cultural centre will revert to hosting live theatre shows every day. What’ll be unique and interesting is that these productions will be aired live on radio.

“The evenings on the radio will be reserved for storytelling, shows and theatre productions that will be acted out in front of audiences. We want to give the people of Bulawayo something that they’re always hearing about from other countries,” Mhlanga said.

He said what they used to do at the centre back in the day was only a glimpse of what will be happening when the centre re-launches, adding that they were looking for scripts and searching for theatre musicals from independent producers.

“The content of the musical shows that’ll be played at the station will be taken from independent producers. Their material will constitute 70 percent of the content.

“People should feel free to come and submit their scripts.”

The Amakhosi founder said theatre at the centre will have four seasons throughout the year with each season having new theatre productions.

“Each season will have different shows and theatre productions because if a show isn’t performing in terms of ratings there’s nothing we can do but to terminate it.”

Veteran actor, Memory Kumbota said the support from Skyz Metro FM would expand the reach of productions by local writers to more audiences.

“The move by Skyz Metro FM to accommodate programmes that’ll be running at the cultural centre will allow theatre productions to reach a wider audience, even internationally. This will expose the talent that’s in Bulawayo.

“I’m confident the revival of the centre will encourage competition among theatre production houses and in the process, improve their quality of work,” Kumbota said.

Mhlanga said Skyz Metro FM was targeting one million listeners by the end of November, something they’re going to tirelessly work to achieve.