A huge send-off awaits legendary playwright Cont Mdladla Mhlanga this Saturday at his rural home in Lupane.
This follows President Mnangagwa’s good gesture where besides affording him a State-assisted funeral. In addition, he also extended $2.5 million for funeral expenses.
According to National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director, Nicholas Moyo, all was set for the massive send-off.
“In celebration of the life of the legendary Cont Mhlanga, a send-off memorial service will be held at Bulawayo Amphitheatre on Friday 5 August at 9am.
“The memorial service will be held to celebrate his life and honor the contributions he has made in the arts and culture sector and in Zimbabwe and beyond.
“A drive through the city will be done before the funeral cortege proceed to Lupane for the burial, which will be held on Saturday morning.
“In realisation of the public interests that this funeral has raised, the family decided to move the memorial service to a bigger venue,” Moyo said.
However, he said, there would be a family service done at Amakhosi Township Square in the morning of Friday.
“As we continue to mourn the legend, Cont Mdladla Mhlanga, who passed away on Monday, 1 st August 2022 at the Bulawayo United Hospital, the family has firmed the burial programme.
“Preparations for taking Mdladla to his final resting place are going on smoothly led by an organizing team comprising family members, artists, City Council and Government,” Moyo said.
He said the team was grateful to the community of Bulawayo for the goodwill offered for various services to be provided in order to accord the deceased a funeral befitting his status and legacy.
“The family wishes to extend its gratitude to the President of Zimbabwe and Government for according Cont Mhlanga a State Assisted Funeral.
“This has gone a long way in addressing some of the key costs of services associated with a funeral of this magnitude,” Moyo said.
“The family would like to thank those who have stood by them through this very difficult time and are eternally grateful for all the support and presence from all over the world.
“We are looking forward to celebrating the life that will be dearly missed.”
Zimbabwe has lost a great son and a national asset, the creative and cultural industry has remained poorer by the departure of such an illustrious creative.
“May the soul of Cont Mdladla Mhlanga rest in eternal peace!” he said.
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