Bishop Chimwemwe Mhango calls for proper recognition for artists
politicians
Former Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) president Bishop Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango has said he is looking forward to the time some sign posts or streets in the country will have names of artists and other personalities.
Mhango said it was unfortunate that the country has not recognised other personalities such as artists and sportsmen who have contributed a lot to the development of the country in the creative sector.
Mhango’s sentiments come barely a year after former Malawi Writers Union (Mawu) president Sambalikagwa Mvona also came out to call upon the government to name a street after legendary author Desmond Dudwa Phiri, popularly known as DD Phiri.
“Street naming in the country is reserved for politicians. This needs to change for sure. We need to recognise other players. I hope one day I will stand somewhere and read some sign posts like Wambali Mkandawire Cultural Centre, Mwawi Kumwenda Sports Complex etc,” Mhango said.
The former Mum leader also said Zimbabwe’s legendary musician Oliver Mtukudzi was buried at Heroes Acre and that the country would have recognised Mtebeti Wambali Mkandawire, who died on Sunday and was laid to rest the same day in Lilongwe.
“Wambali was in that class. It will take time to have someone like him. It is not only Wambali, Griffin Mhango, for example, was one of the best composers, think of Allan Namoko, Daniel Kachamba, these were giants in music that our children don’t know about and we need to do something about it,” he said.
