By McLloyd Kudzingo
Fans and those in the music industry have been paying tributes and sharing special memories of the late musician Thomas Chibade who died on Wednesday evening at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe.
According to Musician Union of Malawi Executive Member Moses Bramoz Kapoto, the singer-songwriter, behind hits including ‘Mau Anga’ and ‘Bulu wanding’amba nthiti’ has been in and out of the hospital in the past weeks.
Hip-hop musician Gwamba has described the late Chibade as a true legend who contributed a lot to the music industry in the country.
He wrote on Facebook, “RIP Thomas Chibade, a true legend of our lifetime. Rest with angels.”
“Though you’ve left this earthly stage, your music remains, A timeless treasure, a melody that forever sustains. Thank you, Thomas Chibade, for the songs that’ll never fade, In our hearts and in our memories, your music is displayed,” wrote journalist Praise Mike Majawa.
Ovilhehla Ovilhehla wrote;
“Chibade was Music. Name a song by him I didn’t memorize. Ana Anga remains my favorite. Oh yes ngowawadi u Bachelor. A man sent to this little planet we call earth just to do music.
In the words of the famous singer Adele “I don’t make music for eyes. I make music for ears”. Chibade made music for the ears.”
Popular poet Robert Chiwamba described Thomas Chibade as a star whose music entertained both young and older people.
“Thomas Chenkhumba Chibade anawapanga masiku a unyamata wathu kukhala okoma. Mzimu wako uwuse mu mtendere dolo.”
Born 37-years ago, Chibade, nicknamed Chenkhumba, hailed from Nasawa in the area of Senior Chief Chikowi in Zomba district.
He became a house hold name in the early 2000’s after the release of his hit songs ‘Ulova’ and ‘Mau Anga’.
The death of Chibade comes just a week and some days after the country lost another musician a Atoht Manje.
