Sorrow and tears engulfed Blantyre and Mangochi on Saturday as three of the five artists that died on Friday following a fatal accident in Ntcheu were laid to rest.
Five artists – Vincent Mkwanda (Artist Liason and Tour Manager), Elivacy Myaba (vocalist), Wilfred Kapengule Jr (pianist), Raphael Chitsonga (drummer) and MacFarlen Banda (lead guitarist), who were members of The Hive Band and used to star with renowned musician Eli Njuchi, died on Friday at Senzani in Ntcheu after a vehicle they were travelling in on their way to Lilongwe for a concert was involved in an accident.
The second edition of The Hive Experience concert which was expected to be held on Saturday has since been cancelled.
Mkwinda, Banda and Kapengule were laid to rest in Mangochi and Blantyre respectively whereas Myaba and Chitsonga were buried at HHI Cemetery in Blantyre yesterday.
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Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Patricia Wiskes attended the funeral service and burial ceremonies for Chitsonga and Myaba.
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Wiskes also spoke at the funeral service for Chitsonga at Assemblies of God where she expressed the government’s sadness with the death of the five artists before she announced that President Peter Mutharika had donated K1.5 million to the bereaved family.
She later laid a wreath at Myaba’s burial.
On Saturday, there was a service at Mthunzi Mortuary for Banda and Kapengule before their burial at Stella Maris Cemetery and HHI Cemetery.
Scores of people braved the rains in the commercial city to pay their last respects to Banda and Kapengule.
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Artists including Eli Njuchi and Lulu attended the burial of Kapengule, a talented pianist, who performed with several bands and was also part of Mingoli Band.
“I am short of words, let God be God,” Eli Njuchi said after Kapengule’s burial.
The pianist produced songs for several artists and was part of the band that backed Jamaica’s Gramps Morgan when he performed at Sand Music Festival in Mangochi.
With Eli attending Kapengule’s burial, other members of his team attended burial for Mkwinda and Banda where they laid wreaths.
Banda inspired several young people with his guitar skills and was also a member of the Praise Team at Word of Faith Temple International Church led by Apostle Timothy Khoviwa.
Meanwhile, Word of Faith Temple International has cancelled its Cross Over service scheduled for December 31 2025 saying Banda was their dedicated son and guitarist hence need more time to mourn him.
Several people including artists continue to mourn the five artists on social media.
Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) has described the loss of the five artists as devastating and that the creative sector has lost gifted professionals.
In his condolence message, Mutharika and First Lady also mourned the five artists saying they were instrumental figures whose passion for music helped develop the creative sector.
