‘Andrew Matrauza marketed Ndawawa Village’
At exactly 3:45pm, the remains of renowned musician Andrew Matrauza were laid to rest at his home – Ndawawa Village in Thondwe, Zomba on Friday.
Matrauza died in the early hours of Thursday at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre. Before being admitted to QECH, he also was admitted at Chiradzulu District Hospital.
Random interviews with people before burial, heaped praise on late Matrauza saying he marketed Ndawawa Village and that many people knew the area through him.
“This Village could not have been known out there but late Andrew Matrauza through his music marketed this area. He sang about his village in some of his songs and so we are very saddened with his death. We are at pains and we hope God will raise another artist who will continue the work that Matrauza started,” said a representative of Group Village Head Ndawawa.
People also des cr ibed late Matrauza as a loving and caring person and this was even confirmed by the presence of hundreds of people from all walks of life, including artists, a Catholic faithful, especially those from late Matrauza’s generation, who united and came to pay their last respects.
The musician, whose music continues to enjoy airplay on local radio stations, drinking joints and weddings among others was buried close to his brother Paul, who died in 1998.
His father Joseph said he was at a loss over his son’s death describing him as talented and a pillar of the family.
“Andrew’s death has created a very big gap in the family because he was the pillar of the family. We relied on him for support but now he is gone. He was a hard working young man and he worked so hard to raise the profile of his music which Malawians continue to enjoy.
We just want to pray to God that he also raises another person in the family who will continue his musical journey,” he said.
Former Member of Parliament Joseph Tembo, who is also a renowned producer and musician, said Matrauza’s death was a very big loss to the creative industry as he was very a good composer.
“I have been friends with Andrew since we were in Standard Three. He was a good person and his family, creative industry and the country will miss him. He was talented and creative and when he started his music career that is the time he composed the song ‘Musadabwe,’ which he even performed during his wedding,” said Tembo.
Late Matrauza featured Tembo in most of his music videos and Tembo also did the same.
Born on May 31, 1978, Matrauza is survived by a wife and two children.
Late Matrauza was at his peak in the 1990s/2000 before he went silent on live performances and later went to South Africa. He returned in July this year.
Some family members called upon the creative industry to continue supporting them, saying his two boys could as well continue their father’s journey.
Some of the artists that paid their last respects included Master Tongole, Bon Kalindo, Ethel Kamwendo Banda, Favoured Martha, Princess Chitsulo, Collen Ali, William Kamgoga, Wallace Ngoma and Black Missionaries.
In another development, the creative industry has lost singer Mayamiko Matola who died at St Lukes Hospital in Zomba on Saturday.
Matola, who was on December 1, 1979, was until her death vice secretary of the Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) Women’s Desk Northern chapter.
According to Mum Women’s Desk Chairperson Martha Mituka, late Matola was a dedicated musician, who served in Women’s Desk executive with dedication and that she had one album to her credit titled Imbirani Yehova.
Late Matola will be buried today in Ntcheu.
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