Du Chisiza

His uncle, Yatuta Chisiza, was also a nationalist involved in politics, serving as bodyguard to Banda during the struggle for independence.

[1] Chisiza became interested in drama at the Henry Henderson Institute in Blantyre as a secondary school student.

He wrote and directed 'The Deceased's Attack', which won first prize at the National Schools Drama Festival in 1982.

After Du Chisiza's death from an AIDS related illness the theatre was led by Gertrude Webster Kamkwatira.

In a surprising move, in 1993, he agreed to take on the post of Minister for Sports, Youth and Culture in one of Banda's last cabinets before multiparty elections in 1994.

He announced his candidacy to stand as parliamentary candidate for Karonga South but died prior to the elections.

His son, Thlupego Chisiza is also a dramatist and was arrested in 2011 for staging a play critical of the government which was co-written by Robert Chasowa.