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The late Fortune Rego

Arts Reporters

The arts industry was plunged into mourning this week following the death of experienced theatre and film practitioner Fortune Rego on Sunday. Rego died at Beatrice Hospital after a short illness and was buried at Mabvuku Cemetery on Tuesday. He was 48.Many film and theatre practitioners joined mourners in Mabvuku to pay their last respects to the veteran artiste who was popularly known as Sekuru Rego because of his experience in the industry.

Rego was one of the founding members of Mabvuku Cultural Drama Club and, at the time of his death, he was the director of Community Arts Project an organisation he co-founded with Abraham Muendisi.

Some of the artistes who attended the burial are Daves Guzha, O’brien Mudyiwenyama, Delma Chiwereva, Leonard Matsa, Silvanos Mudzvova, Sitshengisiwe Siziba, Gibson Sarari, Teddy Mangawa, Leonard Matsa and Stewart Sakarombe.

Officials from the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe were also present.

Rego will forever be revered for his contribution to community theatre in the country and inspiring young actors from high-density suburbs.

Many artistes conveyed their condolences, describing his death as a huge loss to the arts industry at large.

Guzha, who is director of Rooftop Promotions, said Rego has departed with a lot of experience.

“He was a young person because I consider anyone below the age of 70 as young. It is a huge loss. He goes away with a lot of experience that was still to be utilised,” said Guzha.

Mambokadzi Theatre director Enisia Mashusha who worked with Rego on radio drama “Mopane Junction” described the late artiste as humble and supportive.

“He was easy to work with and was always willing to support others. He was concerned about other artistes’ welfare. It is a big loss because he was a person who did his job very well,” said Mashusha.

Coordinator of International Theatre Institute (Zimbabwe Chapter), Lloyd Nyikadzino, said community theatre will not be the same without Rego.

“We have lost a hardworking man. He was one of the pioneers of community theatre. He started in the late 80s in Mabvuku and worked hard to improve community theatre here in Zimbabwe,” said Nyikadzino.

Community theatre practitioner and Edzai Isu Theatre director Tafadzwa Muzondo said he learnt a lot from Rego.

“The last time I saw him was last year in Mabvuku when we were doing an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign for informal sectors and he came to support. We had a brief conversation about my community theatre trust and he took some time to tell me how the community theatre movement used to be vibrant. He encouraged me to keep on with community theatre. News of his death came as a shock to me. It is a sad loss.”

Rego is survived by his wife and three children.