MALAWI ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

PROJECT PAPER
PROGRAMME: BACHELOR OFARTS IN EDUCATION (LANGUAGE AND
LITERATURE)

YEAR: THIRD YEAR

SEMESTER: SECOND SEMESTER

TO:

FROM: LENNSON CHIKOMO

STUDENT No: 22012100008

COURSE TITLE: THEATRE FOR DEVELOPMENT

COURSE CODE:

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Prepare a play script of three Acts and five scene in each act.

SUBMISSION DATE: 30th MAY, 2023

 LIFE AND SAFETY IN CYCLONE PRONE AREAS

CHARACTERS

- Member of Parliament for the area

- Mr and Mrs Zangazanga

- Mr and Mrs Phiri
- Mr. Manjadala
- 3 families
- Extras (people around the area)
- Leader Makono
- Village head man Paulo
- 2 officers from city assembly
- Dancers
- 2 Town criers
- Masters of ceremonies

Act 1

After the cyclone Freddy, people whose houses were affected starts going home to rebuild
and renovate their houses. They received the news that they have to vacate the area as it is
now a disaster area. People are not happy and vowed to fight for their stay in the area.

SCENE 1

Two women are chatting sharing the effects of cyclone Freddy in their area. Mrs Phiri visits
her friend’s home. Both women have put on wrappers (zitenje)

Mrs. Phiri

(Calling her friend) A Nambewe! A Nambewe!

 Mrs. Zangazanga

(Answering from a far) I am coming my friend. (Appears on the stage) Come and sit on the mat.

Mrs. Phiri

I’m not taking ages here; I’m on my way to the market as you know the relief parcels are no
longer coming to us.

Mrs. Zangazanga

(Laughs) That’s the tricks of the government my friend (both laugh). They told us to leave the
classrooms and go back to our homes with only black polythene papers. They think we can eat
the papers? (They laugh)

Mrs. Phiri

(Shakes head) Instead of continue giving us the food rations they are planning to reallocate us to
another area.

Mrs. Zangazanga

(Wonders) Who said so?

Mrs. Phiri

(Placed her hand on her friend’s shoulder) My friend, the world has ears. Do you want to say
that the rumour that is spreading in our area has not dinned with you?

Mrs. Zangazanga

(Shaking head) Mmh! It’s news to me.

Mrs. Phiri

(In lo tone) Don’t take it serious my friend. It’s just a rumour.

Mrs. Zangazanga

(Nodding head) Let it just be a baseless rumour (both laugh)

 Mrs. Phiri

I may be late to the market; I’ll see you in the afternoon.

Mrs. Zangazanga

I’m happy for your coming. Let me see you off.

(Both women leave the stage)

(EXIT THE SCENE)

SCENE 2

Husband arrives home telling his wife that their friends have started rebuilding their houses.
Mr. Zangazanga arrives home and the house is locked as the wife is not there. The husband is
wearing untucked shirt and a trouser.

Mr. Zangazanga

(Sits on the chair with a huge sigh and speaks alone) This woman, so this time she is not home
… (interrupted by the coming of his wife)

Mrs. Zangazanga

(As moving towards the husband) Sorry my husband. I was escorting a friend. (Sits on another
chair)

Mr. Zangazanga

(Smiles) I was about to lose my temper. Give me a cup of water to kill my thirsty.

Mrs. Zangazanga

(Moving the chair close to her husband’s) Before that, Mrs. Phiri was here and I am not happy
with what she has just said.

Mr. Zangazanga

(Stand up and raise his voice) About me? Why you always suspecting me of cheating?
 Mrs. Zangazanga

(Stands up and move close to her husband) It’s not like that. Don’t panic sit down my dear.

Mr. Zangazanga

(Sits on the chair again with a huge sigh) So it’s about what?

Mrs. Zangazanga

(Sits on the chair as well) She said that there is a rumour that we are to be moved away from this
area.

Mr. Zangazanga

(Looks at his wife) That’s a lie. Who can accept to leave his house and go to another place?

Mrs. Zangazanga

(Smiles) That was my argument as well. Let me bring the cup of water you may faint with
thirsty. (Stands up and move out of stage)

Mr. Zangazanga

(Stands and follow the wife) Just put the cup on the table I’m coming in as well.

(EXIT THE SCENE)

SCENE 3

Zangazanga’s friend visits him with news that he is planning to leave the area. Mr. Guza is in
T- shirt and a trouser.

Mr. Guza

(Raises voice) Zangazanga! Zangazanga! Are you here?

Mr. Zangazanga

(Answering from back stage) I’m coming my friend.

Mr. Zangazanga appears on the stage to meet his friend

 Mr. Zangazanga

(Beckoning his friend to sit on the chair) Come and sit here, why always calling as the house is
on fire?

Mr. Guza

I’m not here to make you lazy my friend (both laugh) Sure I’m on my way to the village.

Mr. Zangazanga

(In surprise) Is anything well there?

Mr. Guza

(Smiles) Yes. I’m planning to leave this area. My friend I can’t reconstruct my house I better go
back to the land of my ancestors and start farming.

Mr. Zangazanga

(Laughs) This is town my friend. For me I have already started buying cement to reconstruct this
house and this time I want to build a strong house that can withstand any cyclone even if all
remaining cyclones can team up and come to fight us together (both laugh)

Mr. Guza

(Moving close to his friend, in low tone) My friend, I have witnessed on TV big and well-
constructed houses collapsed with all property washed away by water. I can’t allow that to
happen to my family. This area is a death trap.

Mr. Zangazanga

(Laughs) Death is everywhere my friend

Mr. Guza

(Smiles) You are right but you don’t need to invite it before your time. So let me go so that I can
reach my village in good time.
 Mr. Zangazanga

Ok. Wishing you a safer journey

Mr. Guza

Thank you.

(EXIT THE SCENE)

SCENE 4

On the way Mr. Guza meets Mrs. Zangazanga. She is carrying a black jumbo with vegetables in
it.

Mr. Guza

(Smiles) Morning Mrs. Zangazanga?

Mrs. Zangazanga

(Smiles) Morning too?

Mr. Guza

(Facing Mrs. Zangazanga) I was told by your husband that you have gone to the market.

Mrs. Zangazanga

(Smiles) Yes and now on my way home.

Mr. Guza

(Smiles) That’s good. Keep on taking good care of my brother.

Mrs. Zangazanga

(Smiles) Thank you.

(EXIT THE SCENE)

 SCENE 5

Mr. Zangazanga leaves the home as his wife is not yet arrives from the market.

Mr. Zangazanga

(Monologue) Why always when women go to the market they take years? Even if they have to
buy a bar of soap they keep on moving around the market as if they are in search for a missing
hen. I can’t wait for her return I may be late to our program. (He leaves the stage)

(EXIT THE SCENE)

ACT 2
City Assembly officials visit the area to tell settlers not to rebuild their houses as the assembly
is planning to reallocate them to another area. The settlers are not happy with the suggestion
and seek for an injunction to stop the assembly from implementing its plans

Scene 1

City Assembly officers meet the village headman informing him of the plans to reallocate the
people to a safer area. They agree for a date for the officers to address the people. They are
wearing well – tacked shirts and ties with descent trousers and well – polished shoes. On the
other hand the village headman has put on a white dust coat and a hat.

The village headman enters and as he is to sit on the chair he sees the two officers arrives.

Village Headman

(Smiles) You are welcomed, come and sit on the chairs.

Officer 1

Thank you for that.

They both sit on the chairs.

Village Headman
I told myself not to go anywhere because I got the message that you are visiting me today. (All
laugh). Come and join me here. (They both sit on the other chairs)

Both Officers

(As they get seated) Thank you.

Village headman

(Concerned) Why you have decided to take the people away from where their relatives were
buried?

Officer 1

(Clears the throat) It’s not like that but you can see how the area has been devastated by the
flash flood due to the cyclone so this area has been declared a disaster area.

Village headman

(Nods head) I see sense in that but it is good for you to throw these plans before their eyes so that
they can get the first hand information from you.

Officer 1

(Nods head) That’s a brilliant idea Gogo Chalo.

Village Headman

(Faces them) So when will be the day?

Officer 2

(Faces a friend and confers in low tone) should it be on Saturday afternoon?

Officer 1

(Nods head and in low tone) Yes, that’s a good day

Officer 2

(Faces the village headman) What about Saturday afternoon?

 Village headman

(Nods head) That’s a good day. I will scatter the message even to the deaf so that everyone will
hear for himself or herself.

Officer 2

(Nods head) We appreciate. (Faces his friends and gestures to leave) so we have to leave.

All leaves the stage

(EXIT THE SCENE)

SCENE 2

Enter two town criers; whistling and announcing for the meeting to be heard on Saturday
afternoon.

Town crier 1

(Whistles) Hear us all! (Whistles) Tomorrow afternoon city assembly officers are coming. Let’s
all be at the ground from 2:00 pm.

(EXIT THE SCENE)

SCENE 3

Settlers carrying tree branches singing songs of solidarity in readiness to chase the city
assembly officers when they arrive. All are in different attires. The block leader addresses
them

A group of settlers

(Singing) Sitilora kuchoka! (We are not vacating) Sitilora kuchoka! (We are not vacating)

Block leader

(In a high tone) Listen my fellow settlers. When they are here, let’s not allow them even to say
even a single word. This is our land.
 Settlers

(In unison) We will stone them! (They keep on singing as they leave the stage)

(EXIT THE SCENE)

SCENE 4

The village headman tells one representative of the settlers that the city assembly has sent a
court order for them to vacate the area in ten months’ time. Village headman enters the stage
then the block leader appears. The village headman is in a white dust coat and a hat while the
block leader is in a short sleeve shirt and a trouser. The first to appear on stage is the village
headman and he sees the block leader coming.

Village headman

(Smiles) You are welcome. I was about to go to my garden.

Block leader

(Moves closer to the village headman) Thank you gogo

Village headman

(Points on the chairs) Let’s sit here

Block leader

(Sits) Thank you.

Village headman

(Clears his throat) Yesterday the court clerk came with a court order for all people who
encroached the mountain to vacate within ten months’ time.

Block leader

(A deep sigh) They think we are savages? We know their plans. (Poses) We will see on what to
do.
 Village headman

(Shakes head) Mr. Tchinga, Mr. Tchinga, don’t mislead the people…

Block leader

(Interrupts) I’m not. I think no need to reason with the man that is biting his own fingers. I’m
leaving. (Leaves the stage)

Village headman

(Fumes) Mr. Tchinga you have gone far. (Speaks alone as leaving the stage) It’s true that when
one is dying the ears become deaf.

(EXIT THE SCENE)

SCENE 5

At Mr. Zangazanga’s house, Mr. and Mrs. Zangazanga are discussing of the idea made by the
settlers to obtain a court injunction. The wife is thinking of following the order from the
assembly. Enters Mr. Zangazanga and follows by the wife. The husband is in a T-shirt and a
pair of short while the wife is in a traditional wear. The husband is the first to appear on stage
followed by the wife.

Mr. Zangazanga

(Looks at his watch and speaks alone) I hope they will wait for me as agreed despite being late.

Mrs. Zangazanga

(Following the husband) Bambo a Zione! Where are you going? Do you remember that the
pastor is visiting us this morning?

Mr. Zangazanga

(Stops and faces the wife) I will not take long. We are going to seek an injunction from the court.
 Mrs. Zangazanga

(In confused state) What is it about?

Mr. Zangazanga

(Laughs) That’s why I did not bother telling you. We are going to the court; we are not leaving
this area.

Mrs. Zangazanga

(Shakes head) I think we need to accept the order and vacate for our own safety.

Mr. Zangazanga

(Shouts) I don’t have time to argue with a woman. (Both leave the stage in opposing direction)

(EXIT THE SCENE)

ACT 3
The injunction has been obtained and settlers are happy that they have won the battle. The
MP for the area visits them and has fruitful discussion although at first there is resistance.

Scene 1

The block leader is coming from the court with the injunction and passes by the village
headman’s house. The village headman is on the chair reading a newspaper. He is in his usual
attire and the block leader is in a jacket and a descent pair of trousers.

Village headman enters the stage humming a song and sits on the chair and immediately the
block leader appears on stage.
 Village headman

(Humming a tune and sits on the chair, makes a huge sigh) Oh! How can I convince these people
to corporate?

Block leader

(Shouting from far) Gogo Chalo! We have won the battle. Nobody is vacating the land.

Village headman

(Standing up and fumes) Is this the way you respect elders?

Block leader

(Laughs) No! But it’s the greetings of elders. No one is vacating and those who wanted to sale
the land after we vacate have lost the battle. This is the injunction. I’m going. (Leaves the stage)

Village headman

(Shakes his head, speaks alone as leaving the stage) it’s true that what elders see while seated the
youths can’t see even when climbs a tree.

Scene 2

Enter two town criers hitting hoes announcing the coming of the MP for a meeting with all
people in the area.

Two town criers

(Whistles). Listen all good people. (Whistles) Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Our
Hounorable MP is having a meeting at the ground. Let’s all attend. (Whistles as leaving the
stage)

SCENE 3

At the ground people are seated wearing different attires and the masters of the ceremonies
invite the traditional dancers (who have put on traditional wears) to perform a song before
asking the MP to address the gathering. The MP is wearing a suit.
 Masters of ceremonies

(Bows before the MP and clears his throat) With respect to our MP may I call upon the group of
dancers to give us one song.

A group of dancers enters the ground and give one song

Singing

Pamudzi pano kumanga munamanga eeh!

Pamudzi pano Kumanga munamanga eeh!

Cholakwa n’chinthu chimodzi mwadula mitengo yonse eeh!

Mwawononga eeh! x 2

Master of ceremonies

(With loud voice) Thank you! Thank you! Let’s give the a huge clap (All people clap hands as
the group leaves the field)

Master of ceremonies

(Facing the MP then the cloud) Now let me invite our beloved MP to address us. Sir, this is your
time (gets his seat)

MP

(Stands up and clears his throat) Let me welcome you all to this important meeting. I am happy
to see all faces here. (People clap hands and ululating) Aa! I have come here to reason with all
of you on what has been happening in these past weeks. I received the news from the city
assembly and I told them that they can’t play with my people. (Laughing and jeering from the
gathering). Yes! Nobody can allow to lose his or belonging in a blink of an eye. Isn’t it?

Gathering

(In unison amid shouts) You are right.

 MP

What happened here has reminded me of what happened in 2014. (Poses and removes his jacket
as his bodyguard receives it) in that year, Blantyre Magistrate court ordered illegal settlers on
Soche Hill to demolish their houses and vacate the hill within six months. The city assembly
assured them of given them a new site to settle in Machinjiri. Surprisingly some of them just did
as you have done by obtaining an injunction restraining Blantyre city council from enforcing the
order. The injunction tied the hands of the assembly and people were happy to continue staying
there. (Poses, looks this side and that) Look now cyclone Freddy has claimed their lives. Over 30
people were died and some bodies up to now are under the rubbles. If they were reallocated to a
safer area in 2014 could they lose their loved ones due to cyclone Freddy?

Gathering

(In unison) No, they could not.

MP

(Nods head) Today the same thing has happened. (Poses) The Assembly has asked you to vacate
this area but you organized yourself to obtain an injunction. (Shakes his head) Yes you have won
the battle today but you can’t win it against nature. So should we allow today’s victory to cause
the loss of your lives due to flash floods in years to come? Today you are lucky that no life has
lost but only houses. (Mr Manjadala raises a hand) Yes, I see a hand there. Stand up and say
what you want to say. (The MP sits for a while)

Mr. Manjadala

(Stands up and clears his throat) Our Honourable MP, we are all following what you are saying
and there is wisdom and a sense of care in that. What is hindering us from moving out of this
area is the development we have done here. Look nowadays the cost of building a new house is
more than the cost of buying a car. So as poor as we are, we can’t manage to start building new
houses somewhere. (Clapping hand from the people as he sits down).

MP

(Standing up) Yes you are very right and I agree with you, (posing) but think of your lives, think
of the lives of your children, think of your properties. It could be okay if you told us that you
have signed an agreement with nature to spare your lives next time when the cyclone hit our
country again. Have you? (People laugh)

MP

(Laughs) If am not wrong I think your answer is NO! Isn’t it?

Gathering

(In unison) Yes.

MP

(Looks this side and that) You know what? Your lives are precious than materials. First thing to
consider should be your safety, the safety of your children, the safety of your grandchildren and
the safety of the more expensive property you will own in future.

(Block leader raises the hand)

I see the hand from the block leader. Stand up and say what you want to say. (He goes back to
his seat)

Block leader

(Stand up in a humble way) Our honourable MP and all city assembly employees who are here
today, I am ashamed with the haste decision we made. I was the one who came up with an idea
of standing against the city assembly’s decision. (Poses and shakes his head) I am now defeated.
I can’t allow our today’s selfishness to cost the lives of our innocent children and grandchildren.
We are ready to comply with the order. (Stops and looks at his fellow encroachers) My fellow
people, yes we have invested here but our lives are really precious than what we claim to have
today. For me I am ready to be reallocated to the safer area. Let me apologies to the village
headman, we are your children and we sometimes misbehave. Forgive me. Thank you our MP
for reasoning with us. (Sits down as people clap their hands in agreement)

(Sits down)
 MP

(Stands up) Thank you for the wise decision. (Facing the audience) Are you in agreement with
what the block leader has said? Are you still want to stay here without considering the safety of
your innocent children? (Poses) I think at this far I have to hand over the programme to the
village headman.

SCENE 4

The Village headman now to turn to the audience and ask them for their views on the issue of
vacating the area.

Village headman

(Faces the audience) All people from our neighbouring villages, I thank you for your coming.
May be in your village you are facing the same issue of vacating the cyclone prone area. You
have heard what people have agreed in our village so what’s your say? Is it proper to remain in
such areas and lose our lives?

Audiences giving out their views. Then the village headman closes the meeting. People in the
start going home.

(EXIT THE SCENE)

SCENE 5

As they are going home they are called to return to the ground as the village headman from
the neighbouring village want to address his people who attend the meeting. The play to move
to the real event where the village headman for the affected area is told to speak to the
audience.

Village headman speaks.

(EXIT THE SCENE)

END OF PLAY
COSTUMES

- Ordinary dressing for the locals

WISE SONG

- Pamudzi pano (a traditional song)