Bikiloni and Difikoti impress in Easter Sunday showdown
Zambian comedians of Bikiloni and Difikoti real names Levison Nkhoma and Thomas Sipala, respectively, on Easter Sunday performed at L’Berg Sports and Leisure Centre in Lilongwe sharing the stage with local artists.
The show was dubbed Easter Ya Phwete.
Having performed at the Easter Theatre Festival in Blantyre last year courtesy of Solomonic Peacocks, the Zambian comedians were back in the country and they gave it their all once again.
The duo also hailed the country for its vibrant creative industry saying it has done well in creating platforms for comedy and poetry.
Apart from comedies on the day, the show also brought performances from presidential mimickers.
“We like Malawi’s comedy and poetry. It is fast growing. We like the way Malawian artists deliver their messages to the audience. It is so touching, captivating and keeps you longing for more,” said the duo.
Bikiloni and Difikoti observed that poetry and comedy in the country is being done differently better than in Zambia.
“Most of them write for money first and that’s what kills art in Africa but here they are doing it with passion and we just want to encourage them to keep on going forward,” said the duo.
Bikiloni singled out poet Robert Chiwamba as an exceptional talent saying he was in a class of his own.
“He writes and recites wonderfully. He can talk about love and dilute it in an artistic way and make people happy,” said Bikiloni.
He also said he was impressed with presidential mimickers who performed on the day and they included Snowden Tembo better known as Mr Malawi, who mimics former president late Bingu wa Mutharika.
The Zambian comedians also hailed the organisers of the show which attracted an impressive audience.
“We have enjoyed the show so much and the support we have received is fantastic. With a lot of activities this Easter it’s difficult to pull such a big audience but it shows how much people value the arts,” said Difikoti.
Several acts performed on the day and they all put up impressive performances that did not disappoint.
Some local artists also took the platform to pay tribute to gospel singer Grace Chinga. Chinga died two weeks ago after a short illness and was buried at HHI Cemetery in Blantyre.
Musician Kanthu Kalinda alias Kaka opened his chapter by performing one of Cinga’s songs before dishing out his own songs.
Chiwamba, who last year released his new album titled Kwa Mai Chiwamba, was also the toast of the moment when he offered several of his poetry verses which included ‘BP Yanga Yakwera.’
The poet received an overwhelming response such that people kept on calling for a repeat of most of his poems.
‘Ulemu Wanu,’ a poem which credits people for doing stupid things in the country and ironically urging them to change for the better, also won the hearts of many.
Another artist whose performance wowed fans was comedian Mr. Jokes, real name Andrea Thonyiwa.
The comedian was not billed to perform but he was given a chance following his appearance at the show.
Presidential mimickers were also in the class of their own with their performances.
Kenwood Sambalika alias Aunt Geti, did well mimicking former president Joyce Banda.
“It’s my first time to watch these comedians. I liked Aunt Geti and Mr. Malawi. They have really made my day. So it’s an afternoon well spent on Easter Sunday,” said a fan Thom Nedi.
The audience had to brave and endure the scorching sun to watch the event.
Some of the issues that the artists tackled in their performances included homosexuality which has taken centre stage in the country.
The show also saw the artists making fun of each other with some local artists poking fun on Bikiloni and Difikoti.
“There is always hunger crisis and marital problems in Zambia during Easter and this is why you find Bikiloni and Difikoti here now,” joked Aunt Geti.
The Zambian comedians however, retaliated when their time came.
Some of the artists who performed Symon and Kendall and reggae artist Haxi Momba.
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