Izeki steps back on stage, re-union with Jacob
Malawi’s stupendous stand-up comedian John Nyanga, popularly known as Izeki, is geared to send Malawians into stitches of laughter again as he has announced his return to acting after spending close to three years into wilderness where he went into new calling of prophecy and preaching.
Izeki told state owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation’s Friday edition of Panorama program that the very same God, who told him to quit acting and concentrate on preaching the good news about Jesus Christ, has once again asked him to reach out to lost souls through acting.
He therefore disclosed that the popular duo combination of ‘Izeki ndi Jacob’ is now back to full swing and the two would soon announce a lineup of plays they have organized across the country.
“Yes, it is true am back into acting, I did not necessarily quit but I was just following what God told me to do and now he has told me to go back so that I preach to Malawians through acting.
“I’m really glad to be back because to me it will be a reunion with my old friends in Kwathu as well as my longtime friend and brother Jacob (Erick Mabedi),” said the ever smiling Izeki who is also known as Prophet Zedi in the religious circles.
Spiritual Principles
On whether he has decided to bounce back following the death of the late president Bingu wa Mutharika, the artist insisted that his decision is purely spiritual and not political.
Added he: “Let me tell you that my decision is solely based on spiritual principles and not political I’m a God’s servant and made a decision to serve him in any capacity he would want me to serve.
“You know, our names (Izeki ndi Jacob) are biblical names so this time around people should brace themselves to see the real Izeki ndi Jacob preaching to people through plays. The only difference that will be there is that this time around we will be guided by the Holy Spirit.”
Theatrical journey
In 1992, Izeki and Jakobo released a DVD titled Kukhala, which is said to have sold a staggering 1,000 copies in a week and in 1997 they produced two audio tapes and then later two DVDs; I am the road you walk and Njinga (bicycle), which did well on the market. In Malawi, sales of a 1,000 copies in a week is as dramatic as a million copies in the US.
Izeki’s journey into the theatre started some 30 years, when he was barely 10 years.
The comedian therefore revealed how fans used to pressurize him to return back on stage saying: “There has been an outcry from most of our fans and I hope my return will bring some relief to them and they will respond by gracing our shows en masse. It seems now God has answered their prayers and I’m also happy that he has released me.”
He therefore disclosed that the few years he has been absent from the scene, God has used him to spread the gospel and that his ministry has grown.
A two man comedy piece ]o has arguably been the comedy group to beat in southern Africa region. they were household names starting from the days of first president Hastings Kamuzu Banda to the regime of Bakili Muluzi.
The former president Muluzi couldn’t fail to notice it and to win votes, the president’s party enlisted the services of the popular duo. This, among other factors, propelled Bingu wa Mutharika into presidency
But the future of, arguably, the two most talented comedians of their generation the country has ever produced, faced sudden end when Mutharika ditched UDF to form his DPP party as the two are reported to have refused to use their God-given talent to praise the late president.
The decision proved costly as a government memo was immediately issued warning all government departments against hiring the duo to perform at public events.
However, Mabedi soldiered on with acting through the Kwathu Drama Group and received a lifesaving bailout from Multi-choice Malawi, the group’s proud sponsors up to present day.
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