Principal, physics teacher and unrivalled thespian

By Peter Orengo

He is arguably the most successful producer in the Kenya National Drama Festival.

Moving from one school to another, Mr Oliver Minishi proved he could produce an award winning play in any circumstances.

Since 1989 he has scooped seven top playwright and production awards at the festivals with different Schools.

Some of his memorable productions include, A Step in the Mind performed by Butere Girls and The Ladder and Shakia staged by Bungoma Boys High.

But the most outstanding may have been Metamohosis, which was performed by Kakamega High School and later turned into a movie, Metamo.

"People who know my drama work expect me to be a literature or language teacher. But I taught physics," says the Principal of Kakamega High School.

This year, Kakamega High was awarded the most prolific school for coming second in English and French plays and third in dance. Minishi, who was declared principal of the year in Kakamega Central District, directed them.

Minishi discovered his writing talent after he accompanied his Form Three class at Musingu High School to the festival. "When my school lost, I went back and wrote my first play, The Curse, which I later directed. The play did not go far but I discovered I could write," he says.

Before then music was his hobby. " Music is the backbone of all that has happens in my life. My older brother used to make us perform Franco’s music for reward," he says. His sister Mebow Majanja is a music teacher and his mother showcased her talent in the church choir.

Where does he draw inspiration from? " I am a sensitive person. The Scourge was inspired by a friend who died from Aids," he says

Well-known faces in the entertainment circles who he taught include Mr Steve Muhatia ‘Rafftone’ and Mr Kelly Walubengo who runs a theatre shop in the US. He taught Dennis Oliech physics in Form One and Two.

Kakamega High has for years topped the national inter- school ball games and reached the national every year since 2006.

Minishi says drama has played the biggest role in his career life. " Drama propelled me to great career heights," he says.

Multi-task

His says time management is the key to juggling different responsibilities. "You have to be realistic and to multi-task so that there is no conflict between different activities," he says.

He is proud of being the only drama teacher whose play has been turned into a movie. Veteran filmmaker Albert Wandago of Alwan Communications directed Metano. This 90-minute film that was launched in 1997, is a sad but inspiring story of Metamo, a pastor’s daughter, who battles the odds to ultimately become a high court judge.

One of his students, Mr Ramadhan Rajab, a reporter with The Standard, remembers him as a strict disciplinarian.

" If you got jitters on stage, he would admonish you backstage. ‘Your jaws were fixed with wires, why couldn’t you talk’ was his most famous statement ."

And if the students won he complemented them.

Rural teachers rarely get noticed unless some they are being hounded out of school by irate parents for ‘failing clever pupils’.

When the playwright was promoted to principal of Kakamega High School in2006, there was a party in Kakamega town.

"Over at the National Theatre, Nairobi we had a quiet toast for Minishi," says Mr Patrick Bwire, a drama enthusiast and former teacher.

He says Minishi is the most famous scriptwriters of his generation. His peers include Joseph Murungu, Bernard Kasigwa, Mwinyihija Yusuf, Maua Dambala, LP Barasa, Peter Akhanyalabandu, who, thanks to their ingenuity, have turned the festival into a furious competition for trophies and impressed audiences with their stunts and enterprise.

Colleagues say he is practical and has an ability to bring out his students talents. "He is a warm, gentle, compassionate facilitator at workshops, with a sense of humour and devotion to his calling," Mark Muchera, a drama teacher says.

Theatregoers say Minishi’s recent promotion is some sort of official recognition of the place of theatre in schools, his employer.

But Kakamega High does not just do well in co-curricular activities.

From 1998 to 2007, the school’s mean KCSE grade has been 8.5 points equivalent to grade Bz.

The school is a constant supplier of players to the national football team and rugby teams.

The school is the current national Rugby champion and has represented the country in East and Central Rugby Challenge cup and won.

Minishi attributes the good record to discipline and the school’s support for co-curricula activities.

"Drama is central to children’s emotional development and is the key to the development of their confidence," he says.

He says head teachers appreciate the role performing arts play in the life of every pupil, but they and the Government do not give the activities much support.

"Stories abound of schools that were unable to participate in competitions due to teachers bad attitude towards drama and of students spending cold nights when funds run out during trips to the national festival," he says.

He says many head teachers do nottrust drama teachers.

"They feel that drama is a waste of time and discourage bright students from taking part.

"For the 21st century language teacher, no methodology better captures the spirit of democracy and participation than class drama," he says.