The arts community is mourning the death of theatre actor, director and musician Willing Mhlanga, who died on 2 November following a road accident.
Mhlanga was among the talented performers nurtured at Amakhosi Theatre, the renowned arts institution founded by the late cultural icon Cont Mhlanga, where he developed his skills before establishing himself in Zimbabwe’s creative industry as an actor, director and musician.
Beyond theatre, Mhlanga was also a vocalist who performed and recorded music alongside fellow artistes Zenzo Nyathi, Julian Tshuma and Simon Mhlanga. The quartet formed The Mighty Boys, a musical group that operated under Amakhosi Theatre.
Fellow Amakhosi Productions artiste Zenzo Nyathi has paid an emotional tribute to Mhlanga, recalling their recent encounters and conversations about returning to the stage together.
Nyathi said he had last spent considerable time with Mhlanga a few weeks before his death when the latter visited him to buy paint. The two spent hours reminiscing about their experiences in theatre and discussing the possibility of performing together again.
He also recalled seeing Mhlanga along Khami Road in Bulawayo last Friday, when they exchanged waves, unaware that this would be their final encounter.
In a tribute shared on social media, Nyathi described Mhlanga’s sudden death as a painful shock.
“We spoke for a long time and even joked that one day we should return to the stage and do what we loved most,” said Nyathi.
“Last Friday, I saw you again along Khami Road. We waved at each other, little knowing it would be our last wave while you were still alive.
“Then I received the sad news that you had died in a road accident. It hit me hard. Rest in peace, my brother.”
