Malawi-
Not many African presentations till prevail, especially if they tackle dictatorship, democracy, change, freedom of expression and suppression of opposing voices. The Trial of Jack Mapanje is the kind, which thrives lately on such a foundation.
Written by Stephen Ndhlovu, the play, set in the Malawian Maximum Prison, is rooted in real life events that shaped the country, using the detention and incarceration of Jack Mapanje as a symbol of suppression of opposing voices and violation of human rights such as freedom of expression and association. Mapanje’s story represents numerous stories of all those who were exiled, incarcerated, tortured to death and hanged during the 30 year rule.
The production being made possible with financial support from Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) under the project Promoting Participatory Democracy and Good Governance through Arts, has so far been premiered at Madson Theatre, among other venues, yet it is to be staged at Mzuzu University Auditorium on April 27.