Kondwani Chilembwe scored in the 76th minute as Bangwe All Stars secured a significant 1-0 win over Moyale Barracks at Balaka Stadium to move out of the TNM Super League relegation zone.
The visitors started the game very well, dominating possession the good part of the first half but they were not clinical in front of goal with Emmanuel Allan and Raphael Phiri among the culprits.
Bangwe on the other hand visibly missed the services of their key attackers Shukurani Goba and Richard Lapson as they took too long to settle into the game forcing coach Trevor Kajawa to make a number of substitutions right in the first half.
Bangwe All Stars
In the 6th minute, Bangwe were forced to make an early substitution following the injury of their captain Fanizo Mwansambo who was replaced by Kumbukani Manto.
In the 35th minute, Kajawa made a double substitution, bringing in the fresh legs of James Msowoya and the Nigerian Ojumu Gibulohani for James Tambwali and Clever Chikwata.
The Blantyre-based side made another substitution in the 56th minute, bringing in Beston Jimu for Patrick Phiri.
Moyale on the had made all their substitutions in the second half as Mphatso Kasonga replaced Khumbo Mhone, Luke Chima for the injured Chifundo Damba and Jimmy Viyuyi for Charles Nkhoma.
Following the substitutions, both sides created a number of scoring opportunities but it was Bangwe who made use of one of those chances as Chilembwe beautifully finished Beston Jimu’s pass to give the home side the much needed lead.
In the last 10 minutes, Moyale huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser but it was too little too late as Bangwe’s defence led by Asuman Julius and Gabihno Daudi made everything possible to defend the lead up to the final whistle.
Following the win, Bangwe are on position 13 with 24 points, two points above 14th placed FOMO FC but the Mulanje outfit have two games in hand.
Despite the loss, Moyale Barracks remain 7th on the log table with 36 points after playing 26 games and they are followed by Creck Sporting Club who have so far accumulated 35 points from 24 games.
In other Super league matches played on Sunday, FOMO FC lost 2-1 at home against Civil Service United while Mzuzu City Hammers hammered Chitipa United 3-1 at Karonga Stadium.
Silver Strikers remain top on the log table with 54 points from 24 games followed by Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who have so far accumulated 47 points with the same number of games as the league leaders.
Kondwani ChilembweMoyale BarracksKondwani Chilembwe receiving the man of the match award from SULOM Official
Brian Kabisala, a bright young student from Gogodela Village, Traditional Authority Kaduya in Phalombe District, is reaching out to compassionate individuals for help in covering his tuition fees at Robert Blake Secondary School.
Brian’s academic journey began at Dzenje II Primary School, where he excelled with six As in his final exams, earning him a place at Robert Blake. However, due to his family’s financial struggles, he is now facing the possibility of being withdrawn from school. His mother, who is unable to afford the school fees and additional expenses, is the sole provider for the family.
With an outstanding balance of K330,000 required for this term, Brian’s future hangs in the balance. Nelson Jobe, a member of the school’s PTA, has spoken highly of Brian’s intelligence and potential, emphasizing that he is a dedicated student who deserves the opportunity to continue his education.
Those willing to support Brian can reach out to the school’s headteacher, Ellard Msumba, at 0884 56 23 85, or contact his mother directly at 0981 72 03 07.
Welcome to this special edition of Hard Talk. Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Lloyd Kaisi Phiri, Chairperson for the renowned Chilobwe SDA singing group, Joyful Souls, based in Blantyre. Joyful Souls has recently released their highly anticipated single, “Anandifera.” Lloyd Kaisi Phiri, thank you for joining us.*
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri: Thank you so much.
Twink: Lloyd, congratulations on the release of “Anandifera.” What inspired this single, and how does it reflect the group’s musical journey?
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri: As a Gospel Music group, our inspiration always comes from the scriptures. This time around, it was particularly John 3:16-17 which says: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”
However in the song, this bible verse is being told in a simple way that an ordinary musical ear can easily understand or relate to issues happening today in our daily lives.
In terms of our musical journey, we believe it reflects on the group’s growth because technically, in terms of the harmonic structure, it is something we have never done before. It’s a strange arrangement with some simplicity to allow even the children to sing along. Therefore, this song is marking a slight departure from the sound we have been associated with for some time.
This time around, we also tried our best to have a blend of Malawian/Afro and Western touches in one song. The latter can specifically be noted in our lead vocals, mainly in the choruses.
However, it has been done in a way that anyone playing the song globally will surely point to Africa, and Malawi in particular, as its origin.
Additionally, we have also incorporated some elements and tastes of both old and new generations or indeed the conservatives and the radical music minds. All that is aimed at accommodating the tastes of both young and old in this one piece.
Twink: Your group, Joyful Souls, has been around for some time. How do you maintain your relevance in the ever-changing music industry, especially in the gospel genre?
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri: We always try to put all our eyes on the ground to ensure we notice any remarkable developments unfolding both on the local and international music scenes. With God’s guidance, this has enabled us to maintain this relevance; perhaps, to a certain extent, whenever we are producing new songs. Even when we are performing the old songs, we always try to make some changes to ensure they still appeal to the current music tastes.
Twink: How do you balance your faith with the commercial aspects of music, considering that gospel music is often expected to be non-profit driven?
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri: In whatever we do; commercial aspects of music, inclusive, we always ask for God’s guidance. With such guidance, if the commercial interests are in collision with our faith, we drop them. We have done that for times without number, which Ofcourse, is not easy though. We therefore thank God for being with us in decisions we have been making over the years.
Twink: What sets Joyful Souls apart from other gospel groups in Malawi, and how do you envision your music impacting the local and international music scenes?
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri: On what really sets Joyful Souls apart from other gospel groups in Malawi is something we have never thought of, because we believe that gospel music is primarily to there for purposes of ministering God’s work or word to the masses and bringing hope to the hopeless, among others, and not necessarily for setting the group apart from others. We are all doing God’s work. We therefore expect that our music will continue to spiritually change people and bring hope to the hopeless.
*Twink:* “Anandifera” has received mixed reviews. Some critics argue that the song’s production quality is not up to par with international standards. How do you respond to these criticisms?
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri: Well!! It is normal for people to look at things differently. Nothing wrong with that. Just to say this is one song on which we have spent more time and resources than ever before, just to ensure that its production quality is of international standards.
You can imagine its recording and production being done by OBK and Arthur Chidothe, who are two of the finest producers locally.
Later the song had to be mixed and mastered by one of the finest producers in the US Marcello Penell, who has produced a number or widely celebrated artists, including Brian MacKnight, Steve Wonder, Cece Winans, George Benson, Al Jarreau and Take 6.
With that, what else would you want. So if the production is not of international standards, in the view of some people ……well!!! We are in a free world where everyone sees things in their own different way. There is absolutely nothing wrong, whatsoever, with that.
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri
*Twink:* Looking ahead, what are Joyful Souls’ plans for future projects, and can we expect collaborations with international artists?
*Lloyd Kaisi Phiri:* As we speak, we are in the studio, cooking more songs for our fans. So they shld expect more singles to come before the end of this year, and at the start of next year. Most of these songs will be big surprises to our fans for they are collaborations with artists they might not have expected ever before. All these, is happening as we prepare for our 30th Anniversary Concert, to be organized next year
*Twink:* Lastly, what message do you hope listeners take away from “Anandifera,” and how do you see this single contributing to the group’s legacy?
*Lloyd Kaisi Phiri:* It is simply a message of Hope to everyone, that after erring, God gave us a second chance, by allowing Jesus, his only begotten son, to die for us. Today, as ever before, He is ready to make us new, for His grace is sufficient.
So the message contained in this single is an emphasis and reminder of the message we, as a group/ministry, have been preaching to the masses through music.
In an exclusive interview with Maravi Post, Lloyd Kaisi Phiri, chairperson of renowned gospel music group Joyful Souls, shed light on the group’s latest single, “Anandifera,” their musical journey, and the intricacies of balancing faith with commercial aspects of music.
Released recently, “Anandifera” has sparked both praise and criticism, with some lauding its unique blend of Malawian/Afro and Western touches, while others question its production quality.
Joyful Souls
Phiri attributes the song’s inspiration to John 3:16-17, emphasizing God’s love and redemption. “We wanted to convey this message in a simple way, making it relatable to everyday life,” he explained. “The song’s title, ‘Anandifera,’ translates to ‘He died for me’ in English, reflecting God’s selfless gift of Jesus Christ.”
When asked about maintaining relevance in the ever-changing music industry, Phiri highlighted the group’s adaptability and willingness to evolve.
“We keep our eyes on the ground, noticing developments on the local and international music scenes,” he said. “This enables us to produce music that resonates with our audience.”
The intersection of faith and commerce proved a pivotal topic.
Phiri emphasized the group’s commitment to their faith, stating, “If commercial interests collide with our faith, we drop them.” This unwavering dedication has guided Joyful Souls’ decisions over the years.
On what sets the group apart from other Malawian gospel outfits, Phiri humbly deflected, focusing on their shared mission of ministering God’s word. “We expect our music to spiritually change people and bring hope to the hopeless,” he said.
Addressing criticisms of “Anandifera’s” production quality, Phiri pointed to the song’s production team, including OBK, Arthur Chidothe, and US-based Marcello Penell, who has worked with esteemed artists like Steve Wonder and Cece Winans. “We invested significant time and resources to ensure the song meets international standards,” he said.
Looking ahead, Joyful Souls is cooking up new singles, collaborations, and a 30th Anniversary Concert next year.
Phiri hinted at surprises in store for fans. “We’re working with artists our fans might not expect, and we’re excited to share this new music with them.”
Ultimately, “Anandifera” embodies Joyful Souls’ enduring message of hope and redemption. Phiri summarized, “It’s a reminder of God’s grace and second chances, emphasizing the message we’ve been preaching through music.”
As Joyful Souls continues to navigate the complexities of the music industry, their commitment to faith and artistic growth remains unwavering.
Formed in 1993, Joyful Souls has become a staple in Malawi’s gospel music scene.
With numerous albums and singles under their belt, the group has consistently delivered inspiring music to fans across the country and beyond.
The fifth edition of the Military Veterans Thanksgiving Golf Tournament came to a close at Country Club Limbe in Blantyre, with the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Brass Band delivering a thrilling performance.
NBS Bank took center stage as the main sponsor of the event, which drew in over 100 golfers from various sectors, including senior officers from the MDF and Tanzania Defence Force (TDF).
The tournament aimed to honor and uplift the welfare of Malawi’s war veterans, with Minister of Defence Harry Mkandawire gracing the occasion as the guest of honor.
Other notable attendees included MDF Commander Paul Valentino Phiri, TDF’s Major General Wilbert Ibuge, and the CEO of NBS Bank.
This year’s event highlighted the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by military veterans and their families.
The golf tournament served as a platform to promote camaraderie and sportsmanship among participants, while also raising awareness about the challenges faced by veterans.
Malawi has a rich military history, dating back to its independence in 1964.
The country’s defence force has undergone significant transformations over the years, with efforts to modernize and professionalize its ranks.
The Malawi Defence Force has been involved in various regional and international peacekeeping missions, including the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The force has also played a crucial role in maintaining national security and stability.
The golf tournament’s success was a testament to the strong partnerships between the MDF, NBS Bank, and other stakeholders. The event demonstrated the commitment of these organizations to supporting the welfare of military veterans and promoting national unity.
As the country continues to navigate the complexities of regional and global security, events like the Military Veterans Golf Tournament serve as a reminder of the importance of honoring and supporting those who have served.
