Likoma Fest pulls impressive audience
The three-day Likoma Festival ended on Sunday with the organisers Smooth Touch Promotions impressed with the turnout this year.
Smooth Touch Promotions Director, Godfrey Kachimanga, said the festival was a success in that it managed to attract people from different walks of life.
“We had more people than the previous festivals. There was a good mixture of people. Others came all the way from Europe and other continents. We also had more collection points in terms of transportation,” Kachimanga said.
Kachimanga also said despite the festival officially ending on Sunday, people continued to party until yesterday.
“The party continued in the ship after the festival and let me say it here that the festival will continue,” he said.
Kachimanga hailed Department of Tourism in the Ministry of Trade, Airtel Malawi and Island Beverages purifiers, of Kasupe Water, among others, for the support they rendered towards this year’s event.
The festival brought on board several acts among them reggae group Wailing Brothers and Moses Makawa, who put up scintillating performances.
The MV Ilala started off on Friday at Monkey Bay in Mangochi at 9am through Chipoka in Salima, Nkhota-kota, Nkhata Bay and then Likoma on journey that took more hours to hit the island.
DJs Reubie and flame as well as Dali, real name Dalitso Nyirenda entertained people in the ship on the way to Likoma.
The fun hit a climax in Nkhota-kota when patrons were treated to a free braai and Carlsberg beer during a White party that went all the way to the morning of Saturday when the ship docked at Nkhata-Bay.
Around 7:30pm Likoma Islanders opened the main proceedings at the Island, welcoming the people with a number of their beautiful songs.
After the Islanders, Active X Band from Blantyre took over the stage and dished a number of cover songs.
But the night’s bar was raised when Makawa backed by Islanders Band jumped on stage.
The artist started on a high note and managed to keep the audience on their feet throughout his performance.
Makawa mesmerised patrons with his dance moves and left people begging for more.
Next up was Wailing Brothers which continued from where Makawa had left off.
Wailing Brothers performed for some time off their performance and entertained although their set was cut prematurely due to power shortage.
Wailing Brothers is made up of members such as Chikumbutso Simbi, Takudziwani and Paul Chokani and Toza Matafale.
One of the patrons Aggie Banda heaped praise on Wailing Brothers saying they are making positive strides.
“It’s my third time watching Wailing Brothers performing live. The group is really good,” Banda said.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
