By Dumisani Ndlovu
One of the nation’s theatre icons and National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) legend, Susan Hains died on Saturday.
In a press statement, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) described the death as a big loss to the arts sector in Zimbabwe.
“NACZ has leant with sadness the news of the death of NAMA legend Susan Hains in Harare yesterday. Susan Hains was instrumental in the creation of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Act which saw the establishment of the NACZ in 1985 from the ashes of the National Arts Foundation,” read the statement.
The NACZ Director, Nicholas Moyo said when the arts Council Act mandated the new body to foster, develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts in Zimbabwe with the help of the deceased.
“The NAMA legend, Hains assisted many artists to work in theatre establishing a strong and diverse voice that represents the Zimbabwean Society. Her influence and support can be found somewhere at the base and foundation of many of Zimbabwe’s successful, actors, writers, and directors,” Moyo said.
Susan Hains grew up in Harare where in her youth she studied dance and acting. She went on to study acting at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London and then worked in the industry in the United Kingdom.
She pursued an interest and skill working in film and TV as a Make-up Artist and on Continuity. She continued to work in these roles in the Zimbabwean film industry. More importantly, she dedicated a larger portion of her life, from the mid-1970s to the present day, supporting and coaching young acting talent in Zimbabwe.
The theatre luminary’s profile grew to include the support and coaching of scriptwriters and directors. In her role as Chairperson of the National Theatre Organization of Zimbabwe, she was able to extend this work to embrace and include all Zimbabweans. She facilitated the contribution from a wide range of artists and experts to develop and decolonize Zimbabwean Theatre making it more inclusive.
In 2021 she was one of the 40 legends who were awarded the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) legends @40 Awards for her life-long commitment to the arts and her role in nurturing many theatre producers, directors and administrators who have become the backbone of the sector in Zimbabwe today.
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