From a wannabe to a superstar

Flora Suya’s acting story is one that offers nothing, but inspiration. From receiving multiple audition rejections to rising to an influential actress and director, she has probably seen it all. Our Staff Reporter BRIAN ITAI caught up with the 36-year-old to share insights into her acting journey. Excerpts:

Q

: Who is Flora Suya?

A

: Flora is a mother, sister, a daughter, wife and professionally she is a writer, producer, director and of course the actress.

Q

: How did you find yourself acting?

A

: When I was in primary school I was that child who was super active. There was a time when we had some volunteer teachers from Australia. That time I was in Standard Five and at that stage not many pupils could converse effectively in English. Fortunately for me, I was so much into reading as my father brought a lot of literature material at home. So, my command of the language was above average as compared to other learners. When the volunteer teachers were failing to communicate something, they could ask me to explain it to my fellow pupils. So, that made me to be liked by the teachers. After they completed their mission and were going back, one of the teachers, Rachael, while saying bye to me, told me that I had the natural qualities of an actress. Years later, after I got selected to Zingwangwa Secondary School, I joined the drama club. Within a short space, people noticed my abilities and they started talking about how good I was. That was when I remembered what my primary school teacher said. After I did my Malawi School Certificate of Education, I found myself in a situation where I had nothing to do. That was when the legendary theatre outfit Wakhumbuta Ensemble which was being run by Khumbo Bazuka Mhango came to my mind. I approached him for a chance of an audition, but he told me in the face that I did not have what it takes to make it as an actress. After several trips to his home and persistence he finally gave me a chance to audition. Luckily, I got a nod and that marked my entry into professional theatre.

Q

: How did you get going after you got this chance?

A

: I remember we had our first performance at Gymkhana Club in Zomba, but it was not easy honestly. I remember I went home and asked myself if I was really going to crack it. The demands at this level were different. By the way, I was only 17 years old then.  It was not a good start for me. Seeing the audience for the first time, that was as real as it gets. I was so nervous.

Q

: Where has theatre taken you since your big break in 2005?

A

: It has been a journey. I have grown as an actress and I have travelled to several countries such as the United States of America, Germany, Nigeria and Zambia all because of theatre. And 20 years later, I own my own theatre and film production company Neptune Productions and Frolet Theatre Group. Both these are fruits of that journey.

Q

: Which are some of the productions that you have been involved in?

A

: In 2006 I starred in Charles Shemu Joyah’s production Seasons of A Life. That I would say was another highlight in my career. In 2011, I again featured in another of Joyah’s productions The Last Fishing Boat, In 2014, I featured in a Zambian production by Oasi Ray Mwape, Chenda. After my experience in Zambia, I tried to have something in film production. This is because in 2010 I went to school where I studied journalism and I felt production would give me a chance to exploit the writing skills which I got at school. That was when I wrote my first movie, My Mother’s Story. It was quite successful and it was also screened at Silcon Valley Film Festival in the US. That went to cement my belief that this was my calling. That was when I registered my own film production company. In 2013, I produced my first feature film Dear Pen Pal, then Spouses and Workmates series followed. In 2020, that is when Mdyangu was born and in 2022 Mfumukazi came on the scene. Now, I have decided to go back to the stage where it all started.

Q

: When you started out, did you have an idea that today you will be where you are?

A

: By far I did not. To me it was just a platform where I could showcase my talent as an actress. But to imagine that in the future I would even have my own company and direct a movie, that never crossed my mind.

Q

: What do you hold as the most outstanding work you have done?

A

: I think about what I did in my debut film My Mother’s Story. The film gave me the confidence that I can do it because of the feedback that I got. I am always proud when I look back at what we did with the production.

Q

: What does it take for one to excel as an actress?

A

: On my part, I owe it to my understanding of acting in general. I have no limitations when I am in the line of duty. I am very flexible. I don’t choose roles. I always try to do justice to the role that I am given.

Q

: What are some of the challenges that come about for being a female in a field dominated by men?

A

. Perceptions. And this is not just in theatre, but arts as a whole. People look at us as being loose morally. I am a wife and mother, but not many people believe that because they look at what I do on TV and stage and they feel that’s what you are. They do not look at a female actor as a proper woman.

Q

: Are you satisfied with the standards of theatre in Malawi?

A

: I think if we look back where we are coming from, we can do better. The previous players such as Du Chisiza Jnr and Gertrude Kamkwatira took theatre to a good level. Thirty years later, all the structures which were set then are not there anymore. I feel we are not doing enough to uplift the standards. The support that we are getting from the government is not even enough. Everything is being improvised currently. n