The African National Congress has paid tribute to veteran playwright Welcome Msomi who passed away on Saturday after a short illness.
In expressing their sadness at the loss of such a great talent, the ANC said that South Africa had lost a legend, “He belongs to the class of great South Africans who never allowed apartheid segregation laws to suppress black excellence.”
In their official statement on his passing the organisation included some of the highlights of Msomi’s career citing the fact that he had written his first book at the age of 15 and made a name for himself in both isiZulu literature and South African theatre.
The statement applauded his founding of the Zulu Dance Theatre and Music in Durban in 1965.
He is arguably best known for his adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, called "uMabatha", written in isiZulu and set against 19th-century Zulu history.
Msomi received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Theatre from the Arts & Culture Trust in 2012.
@MYANC is deeply saddened by the passing of Veteran playwright, Welcome Msomi. He passed away on saturday, 04 July 2020, at the age of 76. The performing arts industry is poorer without experienced legends, like Msomi. #RIPWelcomeMsomi pic.twitter.com/352QcmtfFl
— African National Congress (@MYANC) July 5, 2020
Given this incredible resumé, it was unfortunate that the acclaimed playwright, choreographer and director was found guilty last year of the theft of R8 million that was meant for the Living Legends Legacy Programme trust fund, an initiative set up in 2015 to honour legends in the arts industry.
In October 2019, he was found guilty on 61 counts of theft after he was charged and tried for embezzling the money while serving as chair of the Living Legends Legacy Programme.
Sentencing was due to have taken place in November last year but was delayed after Msomi suffered a stroke. The matter was then postponed to February this year, but lawyers said he was too ill to attend court proceedings.
May you RIP Welcome Msomi.
