Actor Mtende Chiumia dead
Tears refuse to dry in the theatre fraternity. Another theatrical voice has fallen silent following the death of a veteran actor and theatre director Mtende Chiumia.
Chiumia, 39, died of heart complications on Friday evening at Mzuzu Central Hospital after a short illness, according to his brother James Mhango who is also the publicity secretary for National Theatre Association of Malawi (Ntam) in the North.
“He fell sick on Tuesday and went to the hospital. But it was on Thursday when he was diagnosed with a heart problem and died on Friday,” said Mhango.
Chiumia performed with Mpoto Wafika Drama Group in Mzuzu before he formed his own group, Ma Africans, which he was its director.
Between 2000 and 2005, Chiumia has served as president for Ntam in the Northern Region.
Ntam North president Sam Sambo has described his death as a loss to the theatre industry, saying Chiumia was an inspiration to the up and coming artists.
“He was making a living through drama and this was an inspiration to young artists that one can live on drama. His death has saddened us,” said Sambo.
Ntam president Manaseh Chisiza expressed worry with the pace at which the theatre industry is losing artists.
“It’s sad that we have lost two veteran artists within a week. This is a big loss to us considering that both of them have been big names in our industry. They were inspiring a lot of young artists. Their passing has left big shoes which will not be easy to fill,” he said.
Chiumia was buried on Saturday at Mjuma Village, Bolero in Rumphi. He is survived by a wife and two children.
