Castel brews Lawi, Awilo gig with K7 million sponsorship

By Khumbo Kaliwo & Frank Phiri:

Celebrated musician Lawi, through his Lawi Music Group, was all smiles yesterday when Castel Malawi Limited surprised them with a K7 million sponsorship package towards his concert at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

The show will see the ‘The Whistling Song’ and ‘Phukira’ maker share the stage with Congolese soukous star Awilo Longomba, famed for hits such as ‘Karolina’ and ‘Coupe Bibamba’.

Castel Malawi Limited’s K7 million sponsorship comes barely a week after the company also donated K7.5 million towards Takulandilani Malawi International Tourism Expo, which starts today and ends tomorrow, and also announced a sensational return to football with a whooping three-year K1 billion package for Castel Challenge Cup.

Speaking during a cheque presentation in Lilongwe, the company’s regional sales manager for the centre, Nkhwachi Mhango, said Castel Malawi Limited remains supportive to Malawian music and the creative industry in the country.

“We understand that this show, which is being organised by Lawi Music Group, aims at exposing Malawian talent to the international platform. This is why as Castel Malawi, we feel duty bound to be part of this initiative by committing K7 million sponsorship,” Mhango said.

He said Lawi is a big artist and that his concert resonates well with their brands.

“So, as Castel Malawi, we remain committed to be part and parcel of Malawi’s big celebrations and the show has coincided with our 21st anniversary of Kuche Kuche beer and the Takulandilani Malawi International Tourism Expo, which we are also supporting,” Mhango said.

Lawi applauded Castel Malawi for the partnership, saying the K7 million sponsorship will cover part of the fees for Awilo, who is coming in the country courtesy of Lawi’s collaboration with Umodzi Park.

“The response from the audience has been overwhelming ahead of the concert and the Castel Malawi partnership is a boaster,” he said.

Lawi revealed that Awilo will make an appearance at Takulandirani International Tourism Expo as a way of marketing Malawian talent to the world.

He said the coming of the Congolese star will open doors for the country’s budding artists as he is expected to hold a series of workshops.

“Awilo is the figure that I personally have grown up listening to and modelled. I can admit that these are people who have continued to shape me behind the scenes. So, we are proud when we get support from big companies like Castel Malawi to support our dreams,” Lawi said.

Based in United Kingdom, the Congolese star, who has promised the best in a video, is expected to jet into the country tomorrow.

This will not be Awilo Longomba’s debut performance in the country as, in 2017, he starred at the Sand Music Festival.