Theatre producer and actor Silvanos Mudzvova is an artist with a passion for democracy.
Mudzvova, who founded Vhitori Entertainment, made headlines in 2007 after he was arrested after the launch of his play Final Push.
“It (the arrest) made me realise the importance of theatre in advocating for the respect of human rights and strengthened my intention to fight for the people’s cause,” said Mudzova.
For him, theatre is a way of “expressing the will of the people without fear”.
“I have been arrested on several occasions, but to be honest, detention actually strengthens me in my mission to stand up for human rights and respect for the rule of law in Zimbabwe. Theatre is my passion and I will never fear anything.”
Mudzvova says he is inspired by fellow human rights defenders in the country whom he said have been able to find the courage to stand up against tyranny.
“I did a play titled Sahwira to honour Alec Muchadehama (legal practitioner). Just like me, he is someone who has been able to stand up for the abused so I decided to honour his hard work.”
Mudzvova’s new play Protest Revolutionaries is underway at Theatre in the Park centres on the Arab Spring, which led to the fall of dictators. The play shows the roles played by various activists such as farmers, students and street vendors in fighting for their cause.
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Mudzvova said the play was also a tribute Jenni Williams of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) and other women who have fought for human rights.
He said: “These women have also played a crucial role in defending human rights in Zimbabwe. This play tries to amplify their cause. Zimbabweans have for long been crying for their freedom and fighting together is the solution.”
Mudzova has participated in several theatre productions, including Waiting for the Constitution that was written by Stephen Chifunyise.
In 2010, he planned a one-man demonstration in the central business district through which he intended to contend that public officers should declare their assets before taking office. The demonstration was, however, not cleared by police.
Born in 1978 in Gutu, Masvingo, Mudzvova is a graduate from the Central School of Speech and Drama, United Kingdom.
The award-winning actor says his acting career started at a very tender age during his primary school days.
