A local Studio Chia Productions is set to take the Capital City, Lilongwe by storm on Sunday, September 13 2015 with a poetry jamboree dubbed ‘Chiphwando Cha Ndakatulo’ Gift Khabua, Public Relations Officer for Chia Productions told Malawi Voice that Chia their insititution is bringing Chiphwando Cha Ndakatulo to make Lilongwe experience the best poetry […]
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Chia Productions Brings Chiphwando cha Ndakatulo in Lilongwe…Atcheya, Aunt Geti Also To Star
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Botswana’s Sereetsi & the Natives in Search for Collaboration with Malawi Musicians
Botswana’s folk music act, Sereetsi & the Natives says they are interested in collaborating, on shows in their country and Malawi, with Malawian artists. The group’s front-man, Tomeletso Sereetsi, told Malawi Voice in an exclusive interview, doing so would enable the artists to tap into each other’s home markets and grow their respective bases in […]
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Standard Bank Rebrands Jazz Concert to ‘Blue Mingoli’
Standard Bank’s annual music concert ‘Joy of Jazz’ returns this year under new brand ‘Blue Mingoli’ Last year, the bank took a break from hosting a main jazz concert, but instead treated its selected customers to a jazz evening with South Africa’s contemporary jazz man, Jimmy Dludlu in Lilongwe. “I am pleased to announce that […]
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Donnex Muva To Invade Mzuzu With “Messiah”Album Double Launch
After several months without any gospel entertainment in Mzuzu City,upcoming gospel artist Donnex Muva is bringing together gospel music lovers as he will be launching both CD and DVD of his latest album called “Messiah”. Scheduled for Sunday, August 30,the launch will take place at Mzuzu-Boma Park. Speaking in an interview Donnex Muva said he is spending […]
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Izeki Is Alive And Recuperating At QECH
Comedian John Nyanga, popularly known as Izeki is not dead! However, the comedian, is hospitalised at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre. Rumours have been rife on social media that Izeki, now a Prophet, is no more, but his pal in comedy circles, Eric Mabedi has told Nation Online that Nyanga is alive, and recuperating […]
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Art Gallery Tindoz d’ Afrique Opens Another Shop at President Hotel
Art gallery shop Tindoz d’ Afrique designed to sell and promote African art has opened another gallery at President Hotel as one way of attracting international visitors. Terri Mashanda the Co-founder of the Art Gallery said the new shop has been placed at designated place to attract international delegates to appreciate the local arts. “The […]
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Marvelous Deeds Storms Zomba, Lilongwe With Chimwemwe Changa DVD Launch This Weekend
As one way of celebrating their stay in the gospel music circle, a three-member group, Marvelous Deeds is on the tour of launching their newly released “Chimwemwe changa” DVD album which has received an overwhelming response by gospel music lovers in the country. According to Francis Phiri, one of the group members, the tour will start on September 5 […]
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Fashion Takes Another Step, As Pink World Lights LL
Summer time is usually associated with weddings and there could not have been a better time to showcase various wedding designs than on a September night. Bingu International Conference Centre (Bicc) in Lilongwe was the perfect venue for the event on Saturday night where Pink World, an emerging fashion and modelling agency, took Lilongwe residents […]
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Patience Namadingo, Thocco Katimba Defend Bushiri’s Ipad Scandal
As flamboyant Prophet Shepherd Bushiri continues to top discussions in Malawi’s social media over what has now dubbed ‘Ipad Scandal’, two gospel artists Patience Namadingo and Thocco Katimba have come to his defence, pledging their respective support “even in the wake of Devil’s attack”. Malawi born Bushiri, now plying his ‘prophetic trade’ in South Africa, […]
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OVYtv Coming To Malawi
One of the world-class Telecoms and Media Broadcast provider Ovy Network is bringing its OVYtv in Malawi and Zambia with number of exciting tv channels. George Kavwenje, the Group CEO for Ovy Network said Ovy Network which is gearing itself to become the best TV beaming channel Operator in the SADC region, soon will be […]
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Trumel Produces ‘Yang’ana Nkhope Riddim’ in Honour of Matafale
Reggae-dancehall artist Trumel has assembled a total of 17 artists on riddim titled ‘Yang’ana Nkhope’ in honour of Malawi’s all time great musician Evison Matafale. ‘Yang’ana Nkhope’ is one of the leading songs on late Matafale’s second and last album, Kuimba 2 which he did with the Black Missionaries. He died in police custody in […]
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Reggae Music Again! Busy Signal Coming to Malawi
Glendale Goshia Gordon, better known by his stage name Busy Signal, will be on Malawi’s soils by October 28 for Sand Music Festival, Soldier Lucius Banda has confirmed. “In two weeks times we will have adverts running with his own voice saying; ‘hey, this is Busy Signal, I am coming to Malawi’. All the contractual […]
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Miss Blantyre Inspires Pupils Ahead of Beauty Pageant
As the days comes closer to the much awaited Miss Blantyre Beauty Pageant slated for October 30, 2015 the reigning Nerani Nthara on Monday September 21, 2015 engaged pupils at Blantyre Girls Primary School and took them through a very awe-inspiringmotivational talk on developing capacities. Titled “Learn, Shine” her presentation focused on advising the young […]
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‘Profit’ Bushiri Not For The Poor: Pegs Special Prayers At K10,000
If you are poor, forget about Prophet Shepherd Bushiri of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) offering special prayers for you, that is an impression created in Mzuzu where one needed K10,000 to buy a ticket to have a one-on-one prayer encounter with the prophet. A Visit to Mzuzu Stadium venue for the crusade on Friday […]
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The News Story That Never Was
There was excitement in Liwonde Township in Machinga as people stormed Liwonde Police and Liwonde Magistrate court to see a woman who allegedly ate a newly born baby grandchild, a case that never took place.
Liwonde Police dismissed the reports of a woman who ate her baby grand child as Liwonde Magistrate court said the court never received such a case from police.
The news of a woman was shared in the social media such that Malawi News Agency was tipped to rush to either police or court to cover the story of an “old woman who swallowed a baby”
According to Liwonde First Grade Magistrate, Esther Phiri, people stormed the court premises such that it was hard to control the crowd that accused the court of hiding the woman.
People demand the court to release the woman so that they could deal with her, she added.
The crowd stormed the court premise Thursday and Friday to prove the truth about the issue that never was.
“We never had such a case,” Phiri said.
It was alleged that an old woman from Sub Chief Nsanama area was coming from a hospital where her daughter gave birth to a baby.
The old lady had a baby on her back and later she excused herself to go into a bush to relieve herself.
It was discovered that she devoured the baby, according to the news that spread in Machinga like bush fire.
The news however was shared on the social media within hours in Monday throughout the week.
Sub Chief Nsanama also said this never happened in his area.
It is however hard for people in Liwonde township to believe the police and the court as the speculation of the baby eater is too good to be a lie.
The post The News Story That Never Was appeared first on Malawi Voice.
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Chunda’s APM, VP Artwork Sold For K250 000 At BT Arts Festival
For the first time in history of Blantyre Arts Festival (Baf), this year’s event exhibited a visual artwork by a 22-year-old Kondwani James Chunda, which was priced at K250 000 ($440).
The masterpiece is a pencil drawing of President Peter Mutharika and his Vice Saulos Chilima.
The drawing caught the attention of Sports and Culture Minister Grace Chiumia, who described Malawi as home of talented sons and daughters.
“Wow! This is incredible. I just can’t imagine that Malawi is a home to such amazing talent,” reacted Chiumia to the drawing, which depicts the President and his Vice at a political rally.
She said the country is sitting on gold which can easily be excavated by promoting artists and their work.
“This is the kind of work that can help to improve the socio-economic status of the country’s artists if market platforms can be created. I wish the President and the Vice were here with me to see for themselves what their children are capable of doing,” remarked the minister.
Next to the most expensive artwork of the President and his Vice was also a pencil drawing of singer Rabecca Malope, who also performed at the event. It was sold for K75 000 ($132). However, the South African gospel diva was yet to be taken to the artistic galleries to appreciate her drawing.
According to Chunda, it took him two weeks to draw the President and his Vice. And another week and three days to come up with Malope’s drawing.
However, the artist, despite his immense talent, bemoaned lack of marketing channels for his work.
“Yes, honourable minister, we can be creative like this, but we lack marketing channels. Imagine, we keep such drawings in our homes because we have no place to exhibit them,” said Chunda.
He pleaded with the minister to turn Blantyre Cultural Centre (BCC) into a cultural village where different arts associations and artists should have stalls to exhibit and sell their artworks on full time basis.
“Unless something is done to turn BCC into a complete cultural village of some sort, artists will continue suffering and exhibit their work in their homes where children and relatives become the only supporters,” said Chunda.
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Peter Mulangeni To Drop New Album January
After three years without releasing an album gospel artist Peter Mulangeni will drop a new album in January.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency on Friday Mulangeni said it took him three years to release a new album because he wanted to give his fans a well-produced album which would stand the test of time.
“I’m excited to be blessing my fans with a new album which will be ready by December with exciting songs which will draw people closer to God,” he said.
He said he was yet to give a title to the album but some of the songs on the album include Usapange misiteki, I’m so in love, Che Juma and Joy Joy.
Mulangeni said the album will be launched on January 1st at Sheaffer ICA Marquee with supporting artists like Paul Banda, Billy Kaunda, Lucius Banda, Mlaka Maliro, Thoko Katimba, Favoured Martha, Bernadeta Mlaka Maliro and Ovaton Chimombo.
“Some people complain that having secular musicians at gospel shows is wrong but I want to assure my fans that I see nothing wrong with this because this is one way of winning these artists to Christ,” he said on his move to include secular musicians at the upcoming launch.
He disclosed that his promotion company Mingoli will be clocking five years in January adding the show will be a double celebration and a gift to his fans.
The post Peter Mulangeni To Drop New Album January appeared first on Malawi Voice.
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‘Obama’ Sheds Tears For Blantyre Cultural Centre
Minister of Sports and Culture Grace Chiumia on Friday did not mince words saying that she was disappointed and embarrassed with the pathetic state of the formerly French Cultural Centre which was ransacked by thieves.
Chiumia said this when she officially opened this year’s Blantyre Arts Festival (BAF) held at the venue. The festival ended yesterday and this year was running under the theme ‘Arts Can Do It.’
“This place is dilapidated and not in good shape and the government is losing out in terms of making money. I am disappointed that the place is in such a state and hosting this key festival but as government, we will take serious measures and revamp the place,” she said.
However, it has been the same old story of promises on the centre from the previous ministers but the rehabilitation has not been done with some quarters hitting at the government for neglecting arts and culture.
But Chiumia said the government was serious in uplifting the arts and culture and assured Malawians that the government through her ministry will try its level best to put the once mighty entertainment Mecca back to its shape.
“This is why I am here, we will do something and this is a serious promise. I also want to call upon those who have ideas to come forward and not only point fingers. We need to work together,” she said.
The BCC which has hosted performances of several renowned international artists including Jamaican Mutabaruka, Zimbabwe’s Oliver Mtukudzi and Benin’s Angelique Kidjo among others was ransacked by thieves in 2011 after the place was left without protection for sometime soon after its closure.
The government bought the centre at K300 million from the French government but with its state, it will have to spend millions again to put it back in shape.
Chiumia then hailed BAF organisers for an attractive event saying she was impressed with the performances and that students from different schools also showcased their talents.
She also noted that artists do not have a proper place where they can sell their artworks hence the government will look into the issue.
Chiumia also said that the government was in the process of bringing the National Cultural Day to celebrate culture.
Mayor of the City of Blantyre Noel Chalamanda also hailed BAF for the event saying it was a platform that brought people together to celebrate culture.
He said the Blantyre City Council will work hand in hand with Blantyre Arts Festival to uplift the festival so that it does not only hold its events in October but rather it should be throughout the year.
Chalamanda also said the Blantyre City Council was concerned with the state of the BCC hence they would consult government to resuscitate the place.
“Our dream is to resuscitate this place. Basically we want to involve different people who have interest in arts and culture. This place was very active throughout the year and we want that to come back this is why we are approaching the government because the place is in their hands,” said the mayor.
The Minister and the Mayor had a chance to watch different activities from students from different schools.
BAF Board of Trustees Chairperson Alfred Msadala said their objective is in the promotion of Malawian culture but with economic challenges, he said they are visualizing challenges in sustainability hence he called upon the government to help them.
The post ‘Obama’ Sheds Tears For Blantyre Cultural Centre appeared first on Malawi Voice.
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Malawi’s ‘Floating’ Prophet Heads To Ndola In Private Jet
Flamboyant floating Prophet Shepherd Bushiri is on his way to the friendly city of Ndola for yet another series of mind boggling miracles.
Less than a fortnight after which he left the Christian world thunderstruck and dazzled with his controversial miracle in which he was captured floating on thin air, Prophet Bushiri will now float his way into Ndola in his newly purchased private jet that has become the talk of the town in Christian circles.
“Leaving for Ndola Zambia for a revival meeting at my spiritual son Prophet Hermes. Thanks to you all who supported in prayers to get this new jet. This gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ must be preached to the whole world.” Bushiri said on his social media page.
The plane branded ‘Shepherd Bushiri Aircraft’ is flown by two white Pilots with a similar inscription written on their well tailored shirts.
The preacher whose wealth has quadrupled in recent years was the subject of a social media storm after he made sensational claims he had performed a miracle that depicted him walking on air.
Bushiri, affectionately referred to as ‘Papa’ or the military moniker ‘Major 1’ by his faithful flock reportedly performs several miracles at his churches.
His visit to the country coincides with the presence of yet another controversial Prophet from Zimbabwe, the wealthy and charismatic Prophet Uebert Angel who reportedly made it rain money during his last crusade in Zambia.
The post Malawi’s ‘Floating’ Prophet Heads To Ndola In Private Jet appeared first on Malawi Voice.
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Government Commends ‘Mwayi Wotsiriza’ Movie For Promoting Local Language
Malawi Government has commended Theatre International (TI) for promoting local language and art in its movie ‘Mwayi Wotsiriza’.
Performed in Chichewa language but has English and French subtitles, Mwayi Wotsiriza weaves its themes around sexual abuse of girls and working conditions of teachers in rural primary schools.
“We really need these kind of movies in Malawi. As a country we would like to have more films produced in our vernacular languages as it has been done in this film”Said McDonald Maluwaya, the Chief Arts Officer in the Ministry of Sports and Culture at the end of premiering of the film last Friday night at Golden Peacock Hotel in the Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.
“The mission….the vision…. Superb! The strategy…all wonderful! And what touches me the most is the idea of promoting cultural expression while appealing to the minds of the international world…” He added.
Maluwaya who was the guest of honor at the event then promised that government will continue with number of programs that promote the film industry in the country and also to end challenges that the film industry is facing in the country such as lack of formalized markets, growing rates of piracy, high costs of producing movie and also technical expertise.
In the film, a frustrated teacher ‘propositions’ a daughter of an economically vulnerable rural woman and impregnates her. The system, already baffled by inadequacy of teaching staff, has to find a way of disciplining him.
Reactions after watching the 1 hour movie, from the audience who filled the hall were mainly good appraisal to directors and producers for making a realistic and quality work which they said is a true representation of current plight of primary schools teachers and girls as well as how communities often responds to such situations.
“This is a remarkable work. It reflects reality on the ground in our communities and towns. And it ends on the good note.” one of the woman in the audience said.
Some of the reactions were questions to invited government officials from Ministry of Education and Ministry of Gender on how education system responds to the situation presented in the film, on girl child protection and how best can people respond to those situations.
Others made their observations by presenting real stories similar to situations presented in the movie while sharing some best practices that other few communities are doing in dealing with such problems. And more importantly, there were comments with proposed solutions and call for action by every person.
When responding to some of the questions from the audience, one of the invited guests at the launch, Dr. Joseph Chimombo, Director of Basic Education in the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, acknowledged that Mwayi Wotsiriza highliths almost all challenges being faced at the moment in the education sector.
“As Government we are aware of these problems. We are very much concerned and we are at the moment working hard to end them.” He said
Later, the undersecretary for the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social welfare Dr. Austin Owen Luhanga indicated that the ministry is also at the moment making number of strides to ensure that a girl child is being protected by mentioning that government has hired a full-time lawyer in the ministry who will be dealing with issues of violence against women and girls.
The Artistic Director for Theatre International Chancy Mauluka said the movie was inspired by his encounter with one teacher ‘victimized’ by the system and one girl victimized by the victimized teacher in Kasungu District.
Mauluka says the movie aims at inciting debate on how Malawi can effectively deal with some of these problems including on reporting channels when such issues arise and how communities can solve such problems.
“This movie is something that can be used for social development and is a good example of communication for social change” said Mauluka who thanked audience for coming in high numbers and appreciated their reaction to the film
The post Government Commends ‘Mwayi Wotsiriza’ Movie For Promoting Local Language appeared first on Malawi Voice.
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