Renowned musician Katelele Ching’oma will be laid to rest today at Masimo Village Traditional Authority Malemia in Nsanje District, his brother Nathan said yesterday at Kamuzu Central Hospital Mortuary in Lilongwe before departure.
Katelele famed for songs such as ‘Kuwoniwa’ and ‘Asowe’ died in the early hours of Thursday at Kamuzu Central Hospital.
The artist, who used to stay in Blantyre, had moved to Dedza with his family.
“It was last week when he complained that he was not feeling well and so, we went to Dedza Hospital where he was given treatment but then things did not change before we went to Nkhoma Mission Hospital where they found that his blood pressure was high,” the deceased wife, said.
She said since then he has been unwell before he was taken to Kamuzu Central Hospital where he breathed his last.
“He was our pillar. We were holding each other’s hands,” she said.
Nathan could not hold back tears described Katelele as a talented musician, who loved his family and that he was a humble and jovial person.
“I am saddened and the family is in pain,” he said.
His other brother Elvis, who is a producer and recorded most of his songs, said Katelele, was easy to work with in the studio because of his talent.
“His voice was his strong weapon and I never struggled working with him in the studio. I will miss him greatly,” he said.
Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) in its statement yesterday signed by general secretary Tonney Chitamatima said they learnt with shock the death of Katelele.
Mum President Vita Chirwa said the music family was shocked with Katelele’s death described him as a talented artist, who was unique and that through his music, he promoted the culture of Lower Shire Valley.
“We are still in mourning as the music family having recently lost Geoffrey Thom of Fikisa, Thomas Chibade, Atoht Manje and Tremour. His talent is gone and cannot be replaced,” Chirwa said.
Musician and legislator Billy Kaunda also mourned Katelele saying he had a unique voice and that his music was rich.
“He was a musician with such an exciting voice and I really admired his music. Alongside his colleagues such as the late Thomas Chibade, the created a local touch that won the hearts of many people,” Kaunda said.
Former President Joyce Banda was a fan of the artist and on his itinerary of songs; she did not skip Katelele’s ‘Ndilinawo Mwayi’.
She said she was shocked with Katelele’s death.
“Today the 18th of January I woke up to the shocking news of the passing of Katelele Ching’oma, my beloved son,” she said on her online page.
She added: “As we all know the headquarters of the Joyce Banda Foundation Rural Programme has its headquarters in our village, Kalembo, Senior Chief Malemia in Zomba, My siblings and I, donated our ancestral compound to the community as a community centre and named it Nsigalira JBF Centre.
“Che Nsigalira was our maternal great grand mother. No month passes without an event there. At this centre, we feed up to 2000 children each day from far and wide especially during this lean period”.
The former president further said that no event happens there without playing on loud speaker Katelele’s song ‘Ndilinawo Mwayi’.
“It was the women in the community, who drew my attention to this song and its powerful words. I, personally will miss his great talent. He was an artist extraordinary, singing about everyday challenges people face and encouraging them to forge ahead against all odds. More importantly, I will miss his love, respect and humility. May his soul rest in peace,” she said.
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Katelele alongside the likes of Moses Makawa and the late Chibade set the tone when it came to traditional music and no wonder they created names especially in the rural areas.
The artist, who has died at the age of 37, told The Daily Times recently that he was working on a new album.
“People should watch the space for a new album. I am taking my time to give them the best. Music is something that lives in me,” Katelele, who also won the hearts of many people with his bicycle dance antics, said then.
Apart from ‘Asowe’ and ‘Kuwoniwa’, Katelele, who had four albums to his credit crafted songs such as ‘Umboni Wanga’, ‘Nkhondo Yamumdima’, ‘Waziputa Wekha’ and ‘Akazanga’.
Meanwhile, Kaunda and Chirwa yesterday hailed the government through the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture for their continued support to the creative sector especially during difficult times.
“The government has held our hands when we have lost our colleagues and today, they have also assisted us with a coffin plus transport among others, on our own we would not have managed,” Chirwa said.
In addition, Kaunda also apologised to the government for the scenario which happened last year when they lost a fellow artist where one of the members hit at government officials for making appearances only during funerals.
“We apologise as artists for making those remarks poorly. The government has surely been there for us as creative in terms of support just as they have also done with Katelele’s funeral arrangements,” he said.
