Arts award a morale boost for outspoken Zimbabwean playwright

ZIMBABWEAN playwright Cont Mhlanga, who has challenged President Robert Mugabe’s rule throughout his career, has been awarded a new prize celebrating the role the arts can play in promoting human rights.

Mhlanga has seen his last two plays, both political satires, banned by the authorities, and welcomed the award as a morale booster and security blanket in a country where he says he is not safe.

“It’s not that safe,” said the playwright, who would not give his age but described himself as “just an old man.”