The mortal remains of Malawi’s veteran theatre actor Henry Ntalika were laid to rest in an emotional ceremony at his home village, Chizungu 2, Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka district.
Scores of local artists- actors and actresses and representatives of other arts associations gathered in tears and sorrow to pay their last tributes to the late actor who was also vice president of the National Theatre Association of Malawi (NTAM).
The deceased was also Chief Commissioner for Scouts Association of Malawi (SAM), a non-formal education grouping of youth across Malawi with membership of over 10000 individuals.
In their eulogies, Smith Likongwe, Board Chairman of NTAM and Steve Kanene, Executive Director of SAM, described late Ntalika as a jovial, creative and hard working person who has greatly contributed to the socioeconomic development of the country.
Ntalika on the left, acting: Laid to rest
“Late Ntalika was a great artiste and he will be sorely missed by all in the theatre industry,” said Likongwe, a University of Malawi’s Chancellor College theatre lecturer and renowned dramatist.
Late Ntalika starred in countless plays both radio and TV as well as theatre groups since he ventured into acting with Wakhumbata Ensemble Theatre of Du Chisiza Junior in 1986.
His first appearance on stage to act in an active role was in Phulusa, Wakhumbata’s 1988 production, and then he went on to feature in various others such as Tatuya Futi, Kabuha Tragedy, Mugungo’s
Compound, Black Blawizo, Papa’s Empire, Nyamirandu and Black Cross.
In 1994, he was one of the founding members of the now defunct Mkumbira Arts Group.
Late Ntalika’s last appearance on stage was last month when he featured in Nanzikambe Arts Theatre production The President’s Prerogative. Prior to that he also featured in Nanzikambe’s I Will
Mary When I want.
The deceased actor, who died at Chiradzulu District Hospital last Wednesday after a short battle with meningitis, was also one of the popular voices on MBC’s radio soaps Mbaliyanga and Pakachere.
Died aged 44, late Ntalika is survived by a wife and two children.
