|
|
|
In father’s footsteps
By
Jack McBrams Chirwa - 09-04-2002 |
|
|
Two of his paternal grandfathers, Dunduzu and Yatuta Chisiza were influential politicians. His father, Du, a celebrated actor changed the face of Malawian drama. And his mother Beauty is a former actress with Umodzi Drama Group.
The influence of his heritage was so overwhelming that chances of Thlupego Chisiza becoming anything in life apart from an actor were slim.
Thlupego has now launched a career of his own, escaping from his father’s shadow. If Du was ranting and forthcoming in argument on subjects, Thlupego is less of it and more positive in approach.
Thlupego never completely discards his father’s influence. He rather builds on it.
Born on March 23, 1983 at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Thlupego, whose name means problems in Tswana, says he went into drama six years ago when he was a student at Mlambalala Primary School in Chitawira.
When he moved to Kamacha and Precious private schools for his secondary school education, he nurtured that talent. It was while at Kamacha that he decided to explore wider horizons.
He joined Black Birds Drama Group on December 12, 1999 but left the outfit because of monetary disagreements.
After four months, Thlupego started his own Lions Drama Group with sponsorship from one Jimmy McFombe.
After being invited by Getrude Kamkwatira, Thlupego joined Wakhumbata Ensemble Theatre last December, but confides: “But I am yet to be given a slot in their productions.”
Mirroring his father in outlook, Thlupego is overly conscious of people trying to draw comparisons between them.
“Du was Du. Thlupego is Thlupego,” he says. “I do not want to be compared with my father. I would want to set and achieve my own standards.”
He is nevertheless conscious of his father’s influence on his life, be it in drama or any other thing.
“I know that people would want to see me as Du’s son. I cannot deny the influence that he has on me, but I cannot be like my father. He acted like himself and I want to be myself. I do not want to live in his shadow,” Thlupego explains.
But adds he wants to revive memories of his late father.
Thlupego is also a budding musician, having competed in last year’s Malawi Gin Trophy as part of a four-man acapella group End of the World.
He cites jealousy and underestimating of budding artists by veterans in the field as a major drawback for young artists.
“The veterans never want to give budding artists the platform to show their talent,” he says.
Thlupego, who claims to have penned more than 10 plays discloses that he wanted to quit drama end last year “after some people made efforts to eliminate him from the game through witchcraft”.
He explains it was only through the personal intervention of Pastor Joseph Banda of the New Living Gospel Church that he proceeded with the art.
“The pastor prayed for me and gave me strength,” he says.
Asked what could have prompted some people to want to get rid of him, he jokes: “Maybe because I am the youngest director in Malawi.”
And on a more serious note, he muses: “But I don’t believe in charms. I do believe in Jesus.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
