Mum gets chapter in South Africa
By Sam Banda Jnr:
Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) has a chapter in Johannesburg, South Africa, following elections held over the weekend.
The elections have seen Khuza Rampi, who contested for the position of secretary general of Mum in Malawi recently but failed, being elected chairperson of the South African chapter.
Mum President, Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango, welcomed the development Wednesday saying this is part of networking.
“We want, through the chapter, to take care of our members who are in the diaspora and South Africa is just close. This is also part of encouraging our fellow musicians to maintain their identity,” Mhango said.
He said they would want to promote good works that Malawian artists are doing all over.
“It is not easy for Malawian music to breakthrough in South African radios and television stations due to their systems; so, through this chapter, we will try to find a way. Again, we need to learn from each other as long as we are Malawian artists,” Mhango said.
He said Mum would want to do more and that includes expansion to reach out to more players for the growth of the country’s music industry.
“We are actually happy because South Africa is a developed country in this part of the region and I believe that we can learn one or two things from there. We can also use the chapter as an opportunity to link up with other big names who can help our artists to be connected to bigger stages,” Mhango said.
Apart from Johannesburg, Cape Town was expected to hold its elections to have a chapter but the elections did not take place .
“I am happy to lead a chapter here and connect with the parent body home. So, having failed to hold elections in Cape Town, it means they are just a branch and we are also looking at opening a branch in Durban. We are making sure that members register and become part of the music body,” Rampi of the ‘Njoka Saweta’ fame, said.
The full list of the elected members in Johannesburg are Rampi (Chairperson), Esnat Soko (Vice Chairperson), Witness Chamboza (Treasurer), Tommy Mikonde (Secretary) and Mervis Kachisale (Vice Secretary).
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