A somber mood engulfed Mzuzu Central Hospital (MCH) yesterday when the remains of renowned musician Atoht Manje, real name Elias Samson Missi, were being taken from the mortuary for his home in Mangochi.
The artist died in the wee hours of Sunday soon after performing at University of Livingstonia, Law Campus, in Rumphi.
Police detectives, Minister of Local Government, Culture and Unity Richard Chimwendo Banda, musicians and other people were at the mortuary to see off the musician to Mangochi.
While some people in different gatherings were demanding postmortem to find out the cause of Atoht Manje’s death, the family refused postmortem saying “this is against our religion”.
- Advertisement -
The artist’s grandfather, Kennedy Mbewe said the family had accepted the death of their son.
- Advertisement -
Mbewe said they were in pain with the death of their son, who was a bread winner for the family.
“We have been told that after he finished his performance, he felt uncomfortable because it was hot. He then poured cold water on himself and, later, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead,” he said.
Mbewe admitted rejecting facilitation of postmortem, saying the family had accepted any cause of the death.
Chimwendo Banda said the government has respected the family’s decision.
- Advertisement -
The minister said President Lazarus Chakwera is saddened by Atoht Manje’s death.
He said the government had provided transport to ferry the remains of the artist to Mangochi as well as provide support for the funeral ceremony.
“We are shocked because we are losing young people in the music industry who would have helped develop the creative sector. This is the reason we have intervened with support as one way of respecting the musician,” Banda said.
Before starting off to Mangochi, scores of people gathered at Chibavi Mosque where there were prayers.
University of Livingstonia officials were part of the gathering throughout the entire send-off programme.
According to the programme, the remains of the artist were supposed to go to Lilongwe but the family yesterday insisted to take the remains direct to Mangochi for burial today.
Saint, real name Yamikani Chikwawe, declined to speak to the media but he told Chimwendo Banda that Atoht Manje was okay when both of them went on stage.
Musicians Union of Malawi yesterday expressed shock with Atoht Manje’s death saying the creative sector had lost a talented artist who used music to promote and preserve the country’s culture.
Several players and creatives also took to social media yesterday to mourn the artist, who with his Bazooka Vybz Band, established himself as a force in the music industry with his exceptional style of music and, on several occasions, dominated blank media levy collecting millions disbursed by Copyright Society of Malawi.
Some of the songs he released include ‘Huwa’, ‘Ndalama’, ‘Munthu’, ‘Zili Bwino’, ‘Woyowoyo,’ ‘Unanditani’, ‘Majelsai’, ‘ Phone Ya Bae’, ‘Che Patuma’ and the latest ‘Nchape’.
The artist was also set to release another song titled ‘Hussle’ next month, according to Moshu, who worked with Atoht Manje, producing a number of his songs.
Born in 1989, Atoht Manje, who hailed from Nansenga- Sanyira Village in the Area of Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi, is survived by a wife and four children.
