Veteran musician Sir Paul Banda has briefly moved to Chatha in Blantyre from his base in Balaka to easily access dialysis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.
Dialysis is the process of removing excess water, solutes and toxins from the blood in people whose kidneys can no longer perform these functions naturally.
The legendary musician told Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) President Vita Chirwa and Secretary General Tonny Chitimatima, when they visited him, that, with fuel shortage the country is experiencing and other challenges, he decided to move to Blantyre for now.
“There have been moments where I have missed dialysis and I have ended up getting very sick. So, atleast here in Blantyre, I can always jump in a minibus and access dialysis. I have to go for it twice a week,” he said.
The musician has been accessing dialysis for three years now, having started at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital before moving to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.
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He said he misses the stage and that, for now, he was trying to practice the guitar so as to rediscover his art, having been on a long break.
As he continues to recover, Sir Paul also said he wants to take up a role of teaching children how to play the guitar.
“I love music and I am passionate about it. I miss it but I cannot do it now because of my health. So, as I recover, I want to be teaching children here how to play the guitar, keep them busy and also pass on the knowledge,” the artist, who has trained several musicians in the country, said.
He then thanked Chirwa and Chitimatima for visiting him.
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Chirwa and Chitimatima also took time out with Sir Paul to play, freestyle, some of his songs.
“We thought it wise to come and visit the legend just to cheer him up,” the Mum leader said.
Before visiting Sir Paul, the two also cheered veteran bassist Francis Chintembo, who is admitted to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital following an accident last week.
Chintembo, one of the original members of Kalimba Band famed for the hit ‘Sometimes I Wonder’, was hit by a motor cyclist, who was trying to avoid a truck in Mpemba, Blantyre.
The bassist, who sustained serious injuries in the head and leg, said he was getting better although he was still in pain.
