Playwright in custody after R8m stolen
PLAYWRIGHT and producer Welcome Msomi had planned, through the Living Legends Programme, to make sure that more productions in African languages were created.
Now, that may not happen after the 76-year-old was arrested for the alleged theft of the R8 million that went missing from the fund that was started for the legends by the Department of Arts and Culture.
Yesterday, Msomi appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on charges of theft.
“He has been remanded in custody after he appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court,” said Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha.
Msomi was arrested at the weekend in Durban by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation after a probe into R8m that was allegedly stolen from the LLLP trust account early this year.
The programme was started by the Department of Arts and Culture in September, and a trust was set up to empower living legends when it comes to accessing opportunities available to them.
At the launch of the programme, Msomi spoke about how the trust would help the legends access better opportunities.
“We are planning on creating more productions in our languages. This is a great platform to raise and perform all our productions in various languages,” he said.
Msomi added that he was inspired by Madiba to continue with his production, uMabatha. “When we met in New York all he asked for was ‘uphi uMabatha’,” he had said.
Msomi was a nominee for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer. His work as a playwright, choreographer and producer has seen him receive critical acclaim internationally.
Msomi’s achievements include co-founding Sasani Limited in 1996 and founding the Izulu Dance Theatre and Music, established in 1965 in Durban. He also established the theatre in New York City.
His work uMabatha, a Zulu adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, also received much acclaim. His work dates back to working on Zulu stories for SABC radio.
Msomi choreographed the presidential inauguration for Mandela in 1994. He also directed the 75th birthday of the late president.
He also served as chairman of the KZN Film commission.
His many works including Phezulu, a music and dance production, and Buya Africa, have toured many parts of the world.
To date, the Department of Arts and Culture has set aside R20m to aid the LLLP in its mandate and objectives.
Of the pledged R20m, R8m had been paid over to the trust. The trust was set up in response to the challenges faced by the living legends in relation to the access of opportunities available to them.
Msomi was the chairperson of the Living Legends Trust.
He is expected to appear back in court on April 2 with legal representation.