Theater is a gold mine-Mama G

Mama G-Africa is in my heart

The visiting Nigerian movie actress Patience Ozokwor, popularly known in the acting industry as Mama G, said theater is a gold mine for countries which is yet to be exploited.

Speaking to the press in Lilongwe upon her arrival, Ozokwor said if the industry is well established and supported, it can employ a lot of idle youths and professional workers thereby uplifting the lives of many people in the society.

“For example, Nollywood, as the Nigerian movies industry is known, was born from nowhere.  It gradually grew to where it is today because of the concerted efforts which people and some stakeholders put across,” said Ozokwor.

The actress is in the country under the invitation of Raising Choreos and Theater Company which together, they will hold various shows in the country to launch the company’s 2011 play, The return.

The play, written by the company’s Founder and Marketing officer Joyce Mhango Chavula,  revolves around love, orphan hood and child trafficking, with patience playing the role of a wicked woman.

Ozokwor, who said has no knowledge on Malawi’s theatrical industry, said visiting and performing in any African country is her passion.

“I always want to represent Africa the way it is. If you say that it is backward, the let it be so. I love t that way. We want to help our beloved continent to grow in all aspects and culture inclusive,” she
said.

She called upon African women to come out and take role in arts and culture as one way of helping it to grow.

“Experience has shown that women are always afraid to come out at the birth of drama due to cultural and religious beliefs, but here I am, a religious woman but also an actress. I was called into this by the good Lord, God brought me into this business, like Moses, He brought me to this Promised Land,” said Ozokwor.

On her entry into the industry, Mama G said,”I for one, I had no passion for theater, it all started at a tender age where we could do drama within our vicinity. Then we took it to our school which
participated in arts and culture festival which used to happen each and every year. It happened that I presented my school at the festival and lucky enough, I got picked up by some directors who took me into serious business of drama.”

Mhango said the invitation of Mama G is one of the milestones in the theater industry in the country which will give both professional and upcoming artist a learn on stage chance.

“The industry in Malawi is growing slowly and we need to learn from others who are well established. There is s group of people who cannot knock on offices doors searching for jobs, there are artist and this is their only source of their daily bread. We need to create an environment which their talent can be appreciated,” she said.

She however, said the high pricing and exorbitant theatrical venues in the country remain major barriers in the industry.

The main show for the group will be at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe where, according to Mhango-Chavula, they will have several activities with charges pegged at K2 000. They will also have performances in Mzuzu and Blantyre where the entry fee has been reduced to K1 500.

Deputy Director of Arts and Culture in the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development Benard Kwilimbe said the coming of the Nigerian star will help to put Malawi on the continental map in as far as drama is concerned.

“This is about interaction, drawing about scenery, coherence and consistence.  The way theatrical arts are happening nowadays is in fabric style, we need to learn from one another if we want to move many steps forward,” said Kwilimbe.