Organisers of the “One People Africa Tour” which will be headlined by Jamaican Roots Reggae legend Burning Spear, have confirmed some of the local artists expected to perform at the event
According to the organisers, the show which will take place on October 26, at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe, will feature supporting performances by Skeffa Chimoto, Sangie, Ma Blacks, Sean Morgan, Born Afrikan and Zembani Band.
This will be the first time for the 79-year-old musician, real name Winston Rodney OD to perform in Malawi.
Spear in Malawi
The show has been organised by Born Afrikan Productions and Sound System Club in collaboration with Sound Addicts Live.
Apart from Malawi, the “One People Africa Tour” will see the two time Grammy Award winner performing in countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
A Malawian based in South Africa,Bashir Henderson Kazembe,has released a book titled “When the Ground Shook”, a collection of four stories that tackle various issues affecting Malawi and Africa’s developmental and democratic progress.
In an interview with our journalist Chisomo Phiri, Kazembe who is an actor and sometimes director, said he wrote the book to be part of the movement for change in Malawi.
Bashir Henderson Kazembe,
“I have always wanted change in Malawi, and being part of the movement to change things is why I had to pen the issues and formulas fathomed in my brain as the first step,” he said.
Kazembe said the book addresses issues such as poverty, political leadership, and the gap between the rich and the poor.
He noted that the writing industry in Malawi is booming, but reading is not a common habit among many Malawians.
“I hope that my book will inspire people to read and think critically about the issues affecting their country,” he said.
The author said he published the book while living far from home, where he experienced ill-treatment as a foreigner.
“This has fueled my desire to make a difference in Malawi,” he said.
“The main story, “When the Ground Shook”, is about the catastrophic results of the 2019 elections and how people must take responsibility for their own change,” he added.
Kazembe then urged those in power to give a chance to others whose ideas and plans can heal the country.
He said the book can be accessed by contacting him directly through his Facebook account, Bashir Henderson Kazembe.
Organisers of the Late Lucius Banda’s Tribute Concert have announced the postponed of the show due to the unavailability of Forex.
According to one of the organisers Johnny Banda who is late Lucius Banda’s son, the event has been postponed as there is no enough Forex to pay for the international artists who were expected to perform at the event which was slated for September 28 at BICC in Lilongwe.
Banda further said those who have already purchased the tickets should not get worried as the concert will still take place and new dates are going to be announced.
However, Banda said that those who would wish to have their money refunded, the organisers are committed to refunding the payments and that Information on the refund process will be shared in the coming days.
The development comes just a month after the postponement of another big music event by the same event organisers, ‘The Sand Music Festival’, which was scheduled to take place from September 27 to 29 at Sunbird Nkopola in Mangochi District.
Mmodzi mwa mamembala a komiti yaikulu ya chipani cholamula boma cha Malawi Congress (MCP) yemwenso ndi Phungu wa Nyumba ya Malamulo Kummwera kwa Nkhata Bay yemwenso ndi nduna ya zachitetezo cha mdziko Dr. Ken Zikhale Reeves Ng’oma apempha Amalawi onse kugwira ntchito ndi boma popititsa patsogolo chitukuko cha dziko lino.
Poyankha lamya yawo ya mmanja kuchokera pa mchombo pa fuko la Malawi a Ng’oma ati, “Chilungamo ndi chakuti Malawi sangachoke mu umphawi ndi njala ngati nzika zikusemphana pa masomphenya. Ndikupempha Amalawi tonse tigwire ntchito limodzi ndi mtsogoleri Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera komanso chipani chachikulu cha MCP. Tikuyenera kuchirimika pa ntchito za ulimi, zokopa alendo komanso migodi kuti tonse pamodzi tisimbe lokoma. Ndale zamakedzana zokokanakokana sizititengera kulikonse.”
Wolemekezeka a Zikhale kuyankhula pa Msonkhano
Atafunsidwa pa za chisankho cha chaka cha mawa a Ng’oma ati, “Achimwene MCP siyikuopa aliyense. Ulendowu ndi wakutsogolo. Ngati inu mukupanga za otsutsa boma cheke cheke thwa muchedwa nazo. Ndikuuzeni chilungamo MCP ikutenganso boma chaka cha mawa. Amalawi adazindikira pano. Sakusintha chipani cholamula boma. Sakusintha zipani zotsutsa. Ngati muli ndi foni yaikulu tengani sikirinishoti. MCP idzasesa mavoti 70 pa 100 alionse. Amalawi sakufuna phokoso koma ntchito zokoma za Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera kuti zipitirire.”
Lead poisoning has long plagued Malawi, particularly affecting vulnerable children. Over three million Malawian children have been exposed to high levels of lead, primarily from lead-based paints sold on the market. This issue gained renewed attention a year after President Lazarus Chakwera took office, when dangerously high levels of lead in local paint products were discovered.
In response, Malawi has today committed to joining the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future, a global initiative aimed at eliminating lead exposure. This partnership will grant the country access to crucial international support and resources, enabling it to tackle the root causes of lead poisoning. As part of the commitment, Malawi plans to identify all key sources of lead exposure, conduct a national survey of lead levels in the blood of Malawians, create a national roadmap for eradicating lead exposure, and co-sponsor a resolution on lead mitigation.
Chakwera
President Chakwera made this pledge at an event hosted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), highlighting Malawi’s dedication to protecting its citizens, especially children, from the harmful effects of lead.
“Lead poisoning is a silent epidemic in our country, and it disproportionately affects our children,” President Chakwera stated. “We must act now to protect their futures, and through this partnership, we have the opportunity to eliminate lead exposure once and for all.”
Over the past few years, Malawi has taken significant steps in addressing this issue. The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has worked in collaboration with the Lead Exposure Elimination Project to enhance enforcement of lead paint regulations. This includes investing in better testing facilities to detect lead in products and ensuring stricter market regulations. As a result of these efforts, Malawi has already seen a 50% reduction in the market share of lead-based paint brands. Additionally, two-thirds of all manufacturers have pledged to go lead-free.
While these achievements are promising, President Chakwera emphasized the need for sustained action. “We have made progress, but there is more to be done. We will work tirelessly to ensure this issue is eradicated once and for all,” he added.
Malawi’s commitment to a lead-free future aligns with its broader development goals and highlights the country’s determination to improve public health, particularly for its children. This new partnership marks a critical step toward a healthier, lead-free environment for all Malawians.
