TWO Zimbabwean artists have been selected to be part of a play depicting three nations under the pre-independence Federation government, namely Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
These three nations were under British rule from 1953 until 1963 when locals united for independence.
According to James Mukwindiza, two local artists, including Hurungwe Arts Festival director Joel Zilala, will take part in the play titled Imaginary Harvest.
“We are delighted to announce that the Zimbabwe Theatre Association has selected Joel Zilala and Bhekubuhle Joaquim Sibanda to travel to Malawi for rehearsals of a groundbreaking regional theatre production,” he said.
The two artists joined the cast of the historic play Imaginary Harvest, which debuted at the University of Malawi Annual Theatre Festival from November 21-23.
Following the festival, the production travelled to the Zimbabwe Literature Festival on November 30, 2025 and then was to proceed to Zambia for a series of local performances.
The play Imaginary Harvest brings together talent from Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe to illuminate the untold stories of the three countries’ shared pre‑independence history.
The play was written by Max DC and the concept and title was adapted from Felix Milowa.
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The setting was in 1960 in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia), which had a political structure under a Federal system of governance.
It evolved when settlers were angry with locals using their vernacular languages, which they claim insulted them.
“The play celebrates the resilience, struggles and triumphs of national heroes and ordinary citizens who lived under colonial rule,” Mukwindiza added.
He explained that Zimbabwe has in-depth talent that needs to be promoted.
National Theatre Association of Malawi president Louis Thembachako Masamba confirmed that the production was from three members states within southern Africa.
“We are doing a collaborative production entitled Imaginery Harvest comprised of Malawi Zambia and Zimbabwe artists,” he said.
“It’s a historic production centred on these countries during British administration.
“We historically understand that these three countries were under one administration: Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.”
Nyasaland (Malawi) was regarded as a farm producing tea, coffee, macadamia and tobacco, among others, while copper was extracted in Zambia and them the administrators were residing in Salisbury, Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe while doing farming as well.
Harare had upmarket buildings as it was regarded as the central government of the system.
“There were imbalances that divided us all,” he explained.
Some nationals began to conspire about the distribution of development as it appeared to them that the investors were taking the lion’s share in the name of developing Southern Rhodesia.
“The investors hired some Asians to run the mines in Kabwe. The workers were exploited all angles, which led to the revolt against the Asian at the mine.
“This was the time Hastings Banda , Joshua Nkomo, Robert Mugabe and Kenneth Kaunda were working underground for independence,” Masamba explained.
The tour for theatre lovers was set to unpack the sad reality, the untold stories and best way of unbiased history for everyone
Project officer Anthony Samuel Kapinga revealed that the cast would have Max Chiphanga, Louis Masamba, Charles Mphoka, Mildred Murindiwa, Regina Kaiya, Immanuel Mawenda, Owen Kalemba, Mphuundu Jumara, and Norah from Malawi, while Zimbabwe was to be represented by Bhelembuhle J Sibande and Joel Ziilala with Hamalala Hamalala, John Kazembe and Dyness Lungu from Zambia.
For Zilala, who is a member of Hurungwe-based Baptism of Fire thresher production, regional and international collaboration has been of his antics.
In 2010, Zilala was part of Zimbabwe Arts Troupe and performed at Zimbabwe day at World Expo.
