1st Edition

Theatre and Media for Social Change in Malawi

Edited By Zindaba Chisiza Copyright 2026
218 Pages 8 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

218 Pages 8 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

Theatre and Media for Social Change in Malawi examines contemporary participatory theatre and media as instruments for social transformation across multiple domains, including education, prisoner rehabilitation, gender equality, mental health support and climate action. This book explores contemporary Malawian practices combining research-based, NGO-led and community-driven theatre and media... Read more

List of Figures

Contributors

Acknowledgements

 

1          Introduction

            Zindaba Chisiza

 

PART I

Theatre and Social Change

 

2          A Decade of Renewed French Drama Festivals in Malawi: Theatre for Literacy and Skills   Development

            Beaton Galafa, Mtende W. Nthara and Yamikani Masina

 

3          Tracing Theatre Practices in Chichiri Prison: Consequences and Contradictions

            Effie Makepeace and Mphundu Mjumira

 

4          Performing Living Knowledge: An Interrogation of the Impact of Short-Term Arts Training on a Disadvantaged Community in Rural Malawi

            Jane Plastow

 

5          Brother2Brother: The Development of an Arts-Based Gender-Transformative                          Programme at the University of Malawi

            Zindaba Chisiza

 

 

6          Fostering Mental Health Dialogue through Participatory Performance in Mangochi,                 Malawi

            Yamikani Ndasauka, Jimmy Kainja, and Esther Harawa

 

7          Using Arts-Based Tools to Discuss Sexual Reproductive Health with Street-Connected                       Children

            Roselyn M. Dzanja

 

8          Acting on Accountability: Towards a Youth-Led Arts-Based Model for Good Financial Governance in Northern Malawi

            Zindaba Chisiza, Uchizi C. Munyenyembe, and Roselyn M. Dzanja

 

Snapshots

9          The Evolution of Grassroots Women’s Theatre and Research Group: Khamalathu Arts in                   Blantyre          

            Effie Makepeace and Khamalathu Arts: Chrissy Sitenala (Chair), Felistas Kamloni (Secretary), Gloria Njiwa (Treasurer), Esmie Breaker, Laina Saizi, Chrissie Magalasi, Chrisy Sinyanyalo, Rhoda Malefula, Gladys Theniford and Prisca Phiri

 

10         Interactive Theatre for Justice (ITJ) in Malawi

            Ryan Borcherding and Fiona Morrell

 

11        Talk about Tsetse: Enabling Public Engagement through an Arts-Science Collaboration

            Bwanalori Mwalima, Walt Adamson, Gary Chilinga, John Alufandika, Lumbani Pete,         Janelisa Musaya, Karen Veitch, Alan Richardson, Hannah Bialic, Paige Webber,                    Fredrick Nixon Jumah, Annette MacLeod, and Nicola Veitch

 

PART II

Media and Social Change

 

12         Tuning in to Change: Radio Drama as a Catalyst for Empowerment and Civic Engagement in Malawi

            Mtisunge Isabel Kamlongera

 

13        Using Participatory Strategies to Develop a Culturally Appropriate Mental Health Intervention for Pregnant Adolescents in Malawi 

            Wezi Mhango-Chisiza

 

14        Using Edutainment and Digital Tools to Improve Mental Health Literacy among University Students in Malawi

            Gloria Chirwa, Joe Nyali, and Sandra Jumbe

 

15         The Dzaleka Art Project: Bringing Visibility and Changing Attitudes through a Community-Based Documentation Project in a Malawian Refugee Camp

            Lisa Gilman

 

16         Digital Uprising: An Auto-Ethnographic Account of the Gandhi Must Fall Movement in Malawi

            Mkotama Katenga-Kaunda

 

17        From Theatre to Film: An Interactive Integrated Community Project to Addressing Social Determinants of HIV and AIDS

            Sharifa Abdulla and Rodger K. Phiri

 

Snapshots

 

18         Navigating Socio-Political Discourses through Youth Led Arts Projects: Insights from Zalero News Project

            Macpherson Ndalama

 

19        The Beauty in the Underbelly of Waste

             Getrude Gugu Mlanga

 

20         The Evolution of the Zathu Project in Malawi: A Reflection

            Talimba Chisala Bandawe

Biography

Zindaba Chisiza is a Malawian academic, Theatre for Development practitioner and theatre maker. He is Associate Professor of Drama in the School of Arts, Communication and Design at the University of Malawi.