Malawi’s Zani Challe named Theatremania Africa Festival ambassador
Malawian musician, actress and model, Zani Challe (born Michelle Chiumia) has been named as an ambassador of the TheatreMania Africa Festival (TAF).
She is one of the eight entertainers appointed by the International Central Working Committee (ICWC) for their forthcoming project scheduled for March, 2017 in Nigeria.
TAF is the first all-encompassing All Africa Theatre Production/Creative Industry Awards & Festival, evolving from the African root aimed at re-writing the African story to the world in a positive way.
“It’s a really big step and I’m gonna take it with both hands and run with it,” Zani said in an interview. “It’s such a big opportunity to bring Malawi to the world, yes I do it in my music by talking Chichewa, but this is theatre.”
While disclosing she was a bit nervous, the South Africa based entertainer, born Zani Michelle Chiumia, said she was very excited and honoured to take the role.
“Getting to act, having three straight days of just interacting with different countries, telling people what’s special or different about Malawi and creating awareness. It’s such a huge responsibility, which is freaking me out but it’s also great that finally that platform has come,” she told Nyasa Showbiz.
The “Single Tonight” singer was spotted acting in the few movies she has done abroad. She however shares that ICWC took interest in her when she was acting for the drama series “The Dragons”.
The other ambassadors are Akin Lewis, Norbert Young, Doris Simeon and Owen Gee, all representing the host country Nigeria while South Africa has two female Thespians in Thandekile Grace Maseko and Sibongile Maria Phakathi with Ghana represented by Uncle Ebo Whyte.
TAF CEO & Co-Founder, Alayande Stephen T. is quoted as saying TAF is a reward system meant to appreciate African Acts (Thespians) and other stakeholders in the Theatre Arts/entertainment Industry and a platform to showcase the best of African Theatre/music/chanting/oral poetry/dance/creative performances on a global stage.
On the choice of ambassadors, the Creative & Content Director of TAF, Eppie Maunza, said that the ambassadors went through scrutiny and screening of a four man panel set up for the purpose of ensuring that TAF 2016/17 has quality and worthwhile representation and importantly capable theatre stakeholders to project the theme for the forthcoming event in Nigeria dubbed “PEACE IN AFRICA”.
