Midlands State University arts and theatre group

Arts and entertainment by the disabled
The Midlands State University (MSU) launched the arts theatre group for Students with disabilities into theatre Arts (IDITA). Brian Ntabeni one of the lecturers at MSU is the founder of this art group.
In an interview conducted by Caven Masuku with Ntabeni, it emerged that Ntabeni was born in 6 May in 1963 in Matabeleland South. He later attended his primary education at Glogg Range in 1972, secondary education at Wanezi Mission and David Livingston in 1982 and 9183. After completing his advanced level he then went to University of Zimbabwe (UZ) in 1984 and 1986, where he did BA General majoring in history and isiNdebele with the components of arts theatre.
The IDITA at MSU is pioneered by JB Dube, Godknows, Tendai Muzondiwa and Tawonavo Chinyoka who are all disabled. IDITA is a brainchild of Ntabeni at MSU to include students with different disability into theatre arts. IDITA from MSU through the disabled students uses arts and theatre, to address socio-economic issues like AIDS, religion and tribal conflict which is a threat to the peaceful society wellbeing”, said Ntabeni.
As IDITA arts group signing and dance, beat of drums and jingles are used across the board to communicate issues that affects the society on daily bases. As a mode of communication these forms has no limits to education and illiterates barriers.
The Midlands State University arts theatre for the disabled uses the three Zimbabwe main languages that are English, Shona and isiNdebele to rehearse in the stage. Ntabeni has been in the arts theatre for some time and is known for creating Kuphela Arts Theatre group in Matabeleland South.
As a creative artist Ntabeni has authored a book called “Sando the rat” to the Heinemann publishers in London. He added that the society does not change unless it has to laugh at their evils. The arts and theatre for the disabled at MSU points at such evils that troubles the society and influences the change of behavior.
Asked whether he has an intention to start his own arts theatre group in Filabusi , Ntabeni said that he is planning to open a cultural village for the disabled in Filabusi. “People with economic muscles do not believe in the work of arts and take theatre lightly, instead of allocating the arts and theatre a space, they prefer a grinding meal”, said Ntabeni. He said that if arts are taken serious like the church it will make the arts industry to grow strong and become a recognized phenomenon.
“Gweru is sleeping in term of arts, they have a tendency of depending from the outsiders and most arts prefer to move to Harare and Bulawayo”, said Ntabeni. Ntabeni as an artist and a lecturer said that students by virtue of involved in theatre arts will come to understand better.
This is for the first time that Midlands State University get involved in engaging the disadvantaged into arts and theatre and will enable them to publish their artistic work in brails, added Ntabeni. “I edge all artists in Midlands to fight hard to earn themselves respects in arts and theatre since nothing comes easy. Otherwise if they do not fight hard they will end up giving us a bubble gum products which blows and does not last”, said Ntabeni