24/09/2025
Drama for Life Mourns the Passing of Distinguished Alumnus and Esteemed Colleague, Evaristo Gilberto de Abreu.
It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that Drama for Life (DFL) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) announces the passing of Evaristo Gilberto de Abreu, a cherished alumnus, visionary theatre director, actor, playwright, educator, and tireless advocate for social transformation through the arts. Evaristo departed this world on September 23, 2025, in Matola, Mozambique, at the age of 59, just days before his 60th birthday on October 5. His untimely death leaves an indelible void in the global theatre community, particularly in Mozambique and across the African continent, where his work bridged cultural traditions, education, and community empowerment.
As a graduate of our Master’s programme in Applied Drama and Theatre, Evaristo embodied the core ethos of Drama for Life: using theatre as a tool for healing, dialogue, and social justice. His journey with us at Wits not only honed his skills in educational theatre and applied drama methods but also fueled his lifelong commitment to Theatre for Development (TfD), aligning seamlessly with DFL’s mission to address issues like HIV/AIDS education, community reconciliation, and decolonial narratives.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, students, and the broader artistic community in Mozambique and beyond. In this moment of grief, we join the Escola de Comunicação e Artes (ECA) at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) in honouring a man whose life was a testament to the power of art in fostering social and cultural development.
A Life Dedicated to the Stage and Society:
Born on October 5, 1966, in Maputo, Mozambique, Evaristo Gilberto de Abreu was immersed in the arts from an early age, beginning his illustrious career in theatre in 1985. He quickly became a pivotal figure in Mozambican performing arts, working as an actor with renowned groups such as TEJOCO, Txova Xita Duma, and Mutumbela Gogo. By 1989, he had founded the M’Bêu Grupo de Teatro (also known as Associação de Cultura Arte e Teatro – Mbêu), where he served as director and actor, emphasising actor training and community-oriented productions that tackled pressing social issues like peace, reconciliation, and the preservation of cultural traditions. Under his leadership, M’Bêu became a beacon for grassroots theatre, blending traditional Mozambican elements—such as the Mask Mapiko rituals—with contemporary staging to create dialogues between ancestral practices and modern societal challenges.
Evaristo’s commitment to socially engaged performances was evident from the early 1990s. Starting in 1993, he participated in and directed numerous plays addressing nationally relevant themes, including HIV/AIDS, natural disasters like floods, gender inequalities, and violence against women and children. These works exemplified his TfD approach, using theatre as a participatory medium for education, prevention, and community empowerment—principles he refined during his time at DFL.
His educational foundation was equally robust. Evaristo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) in Maputo, earned in 2004. This sociological lens informed his artistic practice, allowing him to weave social analysis into his dramatic works. He later pursued his Master’s in Applied Drama and Theatre through our Drama for Life program at Wits, where he specialised in methods that integrate theatre with real-world social transformation. DFL’s emphasis on applied drama for HIV/AIDS awareness, decolonial health practices, and community-driven change profoundly shaped his methodology, enabling him to create performances that were not mere entertainment but catalysts for dialogue and healing.
Leadership in Festivals, Community Mobilisation, and International Recognition:
From 1998 to 2005, Evaristo coordinated the Festival Internacional de Teatro D’Agosto, a landmark event in Mozambique’s performing arts landscape. This festival opened doors for cultural exchanges, connecting Mozambican artists with counterparts from Africa, Europe, and Latin America, and fostering a vibrant platform for emerging talents. His dedication extended to collaborations with various organisations, including the Government of Mozambique, where he contributed to initiatives for cultural training and development. He was frequently invited by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to join organising committees for the Festival Nacional da Cultura, underscoring his role as a national cultural architect.
In 2006, Evaristo joined World Vision as coordinator of the Community Mobilisation Department, where he strengthened networks between artists and social actors to drive development through theatre. This role amplified his TfD expertise, applying dramatic arts to mobilise communities around health, ethics, and reconciliation.
Evaristo’s talents transcended the stage into film, earning him international acclaim. He received the Best Actor award in Brazil for his poignant role in the film Another Man’s Garden (2007), directed by fellow Mozambican Sol de Carvalho. This recognition highlighted his versatility and ability to convey deep emotional truths across media.
His connections to Portuguese-speaking networks extended to Portugal and Brazil. In Portugal, he contributed to representations of classical theatre, including involvement in productions like Amor Vem (an adaptation of Aristophanes’ works) at the University of Coimbra, where he collaborated with artists such as Graça Silva and Rogério Manjate. In Brazil, beyond his film award, he participated in events like the Festlip (Festival de Teatro da Língua Portuguesa) in Rio de Janeiro in 2009, alongside Portuguese groups like Primeiros Sintomas, promoting Lusophone cultural exchanges.
Academic Contributions and Key Artistic Works:
Since 2011, Evaristo has served as a professor at ECA-UEM, lecturing on Staging, Applied Theatre, and Arts Management. He mentored countless students, leaving an enduring impact on generations of artists. His workshops, such as the 2012 children’s theatre initiative focused on educational and preventive themes, drew directly from his DFL training, using drama to address social ethics and youth empowerment.
Among his key works, O Embondeiro que Sonhava Pássaros (2024), which he wrote, directed, and staged at the Centro Cultural Franco-Moçambicano, stands out. Inspired by a short story from Mia Couto’s Vozes Anoitecidas, this play explored dreams, reality, and colonial legacies through a child’s encounter with a bird seller, reigniting debates on theatre’s societal role. Similarly, his 2023 adaptation A Amarrada Chuva de KaMutxukêti, based on Teodoro Andrade Waty’s work, emphasised cultural narratives and co-creation with collaborators. Earlier productions often involved personal risks, addressing ethical struggles in politically charged environments.
Colleagues, including Rogério Manjate, have lauded his specialisation in action-oriented theatre for reconciliation, highlighting his ability to fuse tradition with innovation. Evaristo also contributed to film festivals and urban revitalisation projects, expanding his influence into broader cultural spheres.
A Lasting Legacy:
Evaristo Gilberto de Abreu’s departure represents an irreparable loss, as echoed in the heartfelt statement from ECA-UEM: “His death leaves an indelible mark on the education of countless generations of students and on the promotion of the arts in our country.” At Drama for Life, we remember him as a bridge-builder—one who took the initiative of applying drama and theatre from Wits and engineered change in Mozambique. He also played a lead role in bringing Drama for Life to Mozambique. His legacy endures in the voices he amplified, the communities he mobilised, and the artists he inspired.
In tribute, Drama for Life commits to honouring his memory through continued support for TfD initiatives in Africa. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his work continue to illuminate the path for future generations.
Que a sua alma descanse em paz.
Drama for Life
University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa
September 24, 2025
