By McLloyd Kudzingo
Musician and radio personality Funghai Mutsinze has paid tribute to the fallen Television producer and gospel musician Sweeney Chimkango in his latest single which is a cover version of Chimkango’s song ‘Mobisala Mwanga.’
Mutsinze released the song on Thursday following the death of Chimkango who succumbed to Covid-19.
Speaking to 247 Malawi after releasing the song, Mutsinze said he recorded the original cover of ‘Mobisala Mwanga’ a couple of months ago with an aim of including it in his forthcoming coming album titled ‘Tribute’ which will contain 33 covers originally done by various local musicians.
“This cover ‘Mobisala Mwanga’ was recorded a couple of months ago after seeking consent from the owner ‘Sweeney Chimkango’ whilst he was alive,” he said.
Though the first cover version was recorded some months ago, Mutsinze didn’t hit the recording studio with plans to release the song today.
But with Chimkango’s death, the singer just thought of releasing the song after making some minor changes to honour the veteran musician who started singing at a very tender age at Church.
He said, “When I heard about Sweeney’s death, I was so touched and I just thought of releasing the song considering the powerful aspect of it. The message for this song is just so powerful and that’s the same reason i did the cover for it.”
” I never wanted to release any of the songs from my forthcoming album (Tribute) but I have been forced to release the remake ‘Mobisala Mwanga’ after Sweeney’s death.
“I have just changed some areas to make it a perfect tribute to Sweeney whose impact in the local music industry cannot be over emphasized” he said.
According to Mutsinze ‘Tribute’ the album will contain both ‘Mobisala Mwanga’ first cover and the latest cover which is a special dedication to the late musician.
Born on 18th August in 1963 Chimkango breathed his last on Thursday morning at Blantyre Adventist Hospital where he was admitted after testing postive to Covid-19.
Up untill his death, Chimkango was Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation (MBC) Acting Controller of Programmes, TV side where he had been working since its inception in 1999.
According to Chimkango’s brother McDonald, Sweeney will be laid to rest at his home village in Makwasa Thyolo district.
