Vice-President Michael Usi’s return on stage as Manganya on Monday excited his fans, with some requesting him to continue performing as an actor.
For the first time since his appointment as Vice-President in June 2024, Usi appeared on stage at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre during an event organised by National Theatre Association of Malawi (Southern Chapter) to raise funds for medical treatment of actor Peno Musa, popularly known as Dimingu.
Stepping on stage as Manganya at exactly 3.45pm, the audience cheered and laughed their lungs out before he uttered any word. His dressing and movement alone attracted the audience’s attention.
Some were heard saying Usi’s appointment as Vice-President created a huge gap in the arts industry.
The play, titled Nsalu tackled several themes including infidelity in marriages, societal pressure and importance of community support.
Usi easily blended with other cast members such as Flora Suya, Enipher Chiwaya, Linda Chatha, Ferguson Magona amd Macben Mkochi.
In an interview, Usi expressed excitement for returning on the stage about a year after his appointment as Veep.
He said: “I feel so good to be back on stage because I was well received. There was nothing like this is the Vice-President.
“It was all artists and I felt welcome
because if they were giving me that respect as the Vice-President, to me that would be a signal of being rejected. But I have been accepted and I am very grateful.”
In separate interview, Junnie Mulazie, who plays Tiffany in Mdyangu and Tonde Wadula television series described Usi as humble and a role model in the arts industry.
She echoed sentiments of many others asking Usi to continue acting while serving as Vice-President.
“The live performance despite his busy schedule as the Vice-President is an indication that he has drama and artists welfare at heart. So, it is our humble request for him to continue performing at his free time because we are still learning a lot from him. He is our role model,” said Mulazie.
Ntam Southern Chapter chairperson Allison Mpunga said the show targeted to raise K18million for Musa’s medical expenses.
Meanwhile, Usi has pledged to cover Musa’s medical bills and that the funds raised should help him in other areas such as logistics
