Evison Matafale Memorial December 1
The free-of-charge annual Evison Matafale memorial show will be held on December 1 this year.
Black Missionaries (Blacks)’ lead vocalist, Anjiru Fumulani, confirmed the plan Monday saying they have pushed it to December 1 because November 27 falls on a Wednesday.
“The memorial show is on without fail but we have pushed it to December 1. What normally happens is that when November 27 falls during a working day, we push it backward or forward to fit into the weekend which is closer. In this case, the weekend that is closer to November 27 is December 1 which is a Sunday,” Anjiru said.
He said preparations for the 17th edition of the memorial was at an advanced stage and that they would be coming up with a line-up of artists on Thursday or Friday.
“People should just look out for the line-up, we are prepared and ready. We are still discussing other issues with airport authorities and we will confirm the venue,” Anjiru said.
He, however, was quick to say that the memorial will be held at the same venue—Civo Ground, Gadaga, Chileka where they held last year’s memorial.
Anjiru said—apart from celebrating the lives of Matafale, Musamude and Gift Fumulani and other fallen Chileka artists— they will use the occasion to preach peace and love among people.
The group has been preaching peace and love during most of its shows and with the current political situation which has seen violence, the reggae group has called on people to refrain from violence and not let politics bring division.
He said Matafale, Musamude and Gift left powerful messages, mostly bordering on peace.
“In most cases, youths are used as tools for perpetuating violence. But the youth should be focused and understand that they have a responsibility to the nation,” he said.
Anjiru also called on people to patronise the memorial as usual and refrain from indulging in violence.
Matafale, who formed and led Black Missionaries, died on November 27 2001 while in police custody following his arrest after authoring what was considered seditious material.
The reggae maestro rose to fame and became one of the country’s favourite musicians by the year 2000 through the release of his debut album Kuimba 1 in 1999.
Matafale was known as ‘the prophet’ in the country and was seen as an elder in the community of Malawian Rastafarians.
Black Missionaries has continued the journey that Matafale started and they have managed to release several Kuimba albums which have gone up to Kuimba 11.
The reggae group has suffered criticism in some instances for failing to replicate the roots reggae that Matafale and Musamude orchestrated.
But some quarters have heaped praise for the group for continuing the journey that Matafale started let alone being together until this day.
The reggae group at the moment also performs with Anthony Makondetsa and Moda Fumulani during their sets as well as Khozie Masimbe.
