Remembering Grace Chinga

It is sad, very sad indeed that the country on Wednesday night lost renowned female gospel songstress Grace Chinga, who was pronounced dead on arrival at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre after a short illness.

The last time I talked to her was three weeks ago when she performed at Kudya Tourist Lodge in Blantyre during a church function where she shared the stage with Lilongwe-based gospel group Kamuzu Barracks.

She attracted attention from the audience soon after the master of ceremonies announced that she was next to jump on stage.

As usual she gave out a very energetic performance that left people in the hall satisfied.

Chinga was giving it her all during live performances and she had her own unique way of performing and many people likened her to South Africa’s gospel singer Rebecca Malope because of her energetic.

I actually met her after the performance where I wanted to find out about the progress of her latest album and this is what she had to say:

“I am still working on the songs Sam; I will come back to you. You are my brother so don’t worry once everything is ready I will come knocking on your door.”

Actually before I met her, I had been pestering her to tell me more about her latest single ‘N’zaulura,’ which had taken the gospel music industry by storm.

But little did I know this was our last meeting and she had wrote on her Facebook page on March 15, 2016, thanking people for their support and that they should look forward to the release of her two albums.

“South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, DRC. Thank you for supporting # Ndzaulura . Malawi wait for the double albums coming out shortly,” she said.

The singer was also billed to perform at Great Hall in Zomba on March 26 alongside King James Phiri and Thoko Katimba.

“I am shocked with Grace Chinga’s death. It’s a blow to the nation and the music industry. Grace was not only a singer but a great composer and most of us admired her work. Actually it was only this week when we were together and were discussing our music projects,” said Katimba.

The songstress was blessed and she composed songs which were rich in lyrical content.

In 2005, Chinga launched her second album titled Thandizo Langa which won the hearts of many. The album features songs such as ‘Kweza Maso,’ ‘Delira,’ ‘Getsemani,’ ‘Sambi,’ ‘Murena,’ ‘Ndani Wamva Uthenga,’ ‘Zioni,’ ‘Zolengedwa Ziyimba,’ and ‘Mtanda.’

She told Malawi News then that she was happy to be launching her second album which she said was made up of powerful songs.

“God has spoken to me and this is why I am launching my second album Thandizo Langa. I hope people will love the songs and also get the message therein. My favourite song is the title track and so I want people to listen to this song attentively and get the message,” she said.

In July 2015, the singer was featured on 10 things by The Sunday Times where she spoke more about herself.

She told The Sunday Times, that she was named Grace by her mother whose only hope was God when doctors could not trace any baby in her womb after scanning a day before she was born on June 28, 1978.

Chinga said when she was young; she had some gray hair that made her school days a nightmare because her friends used to tease her mercilessly about it.

“They called me an old woman and I used to refuse to go to school. Life was tough right from the start until standard 4 in 1983 when my hair started to grow dark,” she said then.

The songstress, who was voted the best female musician during the Malawi Music Awards which were held in 2011 and dubbed the Grandest Gathering of Celebrities also told The Sunday Times that she was raped whilst in form 2.

“I felt I could not face the world anymore. I got impregnated but seeing that I could not have a future without education I went back to school after giving birth,” she said.

Chinga said then that she sat for her Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) but her school was disqualified and that she lost her father, who was a teacher soon after she had sat for her examinations.

It was a tough journey for her and that with the passing on of her father she had no help.

In 1996, Chinga joined Glad Tidings, a band that was led by Elton Kazembe as a vocalist before going solo to launch Yekha her debut album in 2002 which had songs such as ‘Uleke.’

She said then that the album did not do well on the market.

“By then I was already a member of Full Gospel Church of God Choir where my father was a pastor,” said Chinga.

The singer, who is survived by three children, two sons and a daughter, said she has passion for music and that she takes time when composing her songs.

“I do not rush into composing songs, I take my time. I always make sure that my house is quiet when I am composing songs. But I should also say that I love watching television especially Nigerian movies,” she said adding that “praying is the first and the last thing I do in a day.”

Chinga also told The Sunday Times that her musical career was prophesised by a woman from her church before she ventured into music.

“The woman told the church that I was chosen to save lost sheep through music. She said songs would come to my thoughts with specific messages. I get visions of God’s warning messages for the world,” said Chinga.

Her other album is Ndizayimba Nyimbo which features songs such as ‘Korona.’

Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) Vice President Martha Pingasa better known as Favoured Martha said the country has lost a woman, who used to encourage them.

“Grace had gone through a lot but then she fought the battles and so she was always a blessing to many female musicians in the country. May her soul rest in peace,” she said.

Chinga hailed from Leza Village, Traditional Authority Makhuwira in Chikwawa.