The free-of charge Matafale Memorial show, now in its 22nd edition, takes place on Sunday at Civil Ground, Gadaga, Chileka, in Blantyre with a horde of artists set to perform.
Led by reggae group Black Missionaries, the memorial show celebrates the life of reggae icon Evison Matafale, Musamude Fumulani and Gift Fumulani as well as other Chileka fallen artists.
Black Missionaries’ lead vocalist Anjiru Fumulani said Thursday that they miss Matafale— who is the torch behind the reggae outfit— Musamude and Gift.
“It has not been easy for us without Evison Matafale, Musamude and Gift but we cannot question the will of God. We will continue to celebrate them and we are thankful to people for supporting us,” Anjiru said.
He also hailed people for maintaining discipline over the years and called for the same this year.
“This year, we have a big line-up compared to the past years and this is because people want to celebrate the life of Evison Matafale, Musamude and Gift. We, as Blacks, will continue the mission,” Anjiru said.
Apart from Black Missionaries and Anthony Makondetsa as well as Moda Fumulani, Khozie Masimbe, Yanjanani Chumbu and Toza Matafale, the other artists set to star at the memorial include Anne Matumbi, Don Tarz, Khuza Rampi, Phyzix, Ndindi Mally and The Stage Makers, Young Generations, Kommuniq and Akadaulo.
Some of the editions have been disrupted by heavy rains but there were no rains last year.
“Rains are a blessings and we pray that everything should run smoothly come Sunday,” the lead vocalist said.
Having preserved the mission by releasing Kuimba albums which have hit Kuimba 12, Anjiru said they would change the way they do things by dropping singles.
“We will be releasing singles and if all goes according to plan, we are releasing the first single next month and then, next year, we will drop more singles before attempting an album,” Anjiru said.
He said people now understand the concept of the memorial, adding that Matafale will always be part of the country’s history and that one cannot talk of reggae music in Malawi without mentioning his name.
Matafale was a Rastafarian who used music to speak for the oppressed.
His death on November 27 2001 shocked the country and a lot of people had fears that this would be the end of Black Missionaries.
But 22 years down the line, Black Missionaries, popularly known as Blacks, is still active and enjoying the limelight.
Before the memorial on Sunday, Black Missionaries alongside Anthony Makondetsa and Chileka siblings will perform at Simbeko Lodge in Nsanje tonight in a show organised by Thoms Park Events.
