Three artists, including legendary Boniface Ndamera of Lucky Stars Band famed for the hit ‘Chinafuna Mbale’, treated music lovers to sweet performances at Kwahara Art Gallery and Café in Blantyre on Friday.
The performances set the tone for what people are set to experience during 2025 Mangolongondo Night showcases.
On a Friday night, when it was raining in the commercial city, people still went out to be part and parcel of the Mangolongondo Night first concert this year.
It was hosted by renowned dancer and actor Robert Magasa.
- Advertisement -
Kwaharaba Art Gallery and Cafe, a spot that has established itself as a friend of the arts, brightened with Mangolongondo Night, with Ndamera opening the performances.
- Advertisement -
Clad in a gray suit, Ndamera showed his musical abilities, leading in vocals and the guitar backed by bassist, lead guitarist and percussionist Anthony Supriano as well as dancers.
Ndamera has his own style of playing the guitar and, with the traditional sounds from the Shire Valley, he kept the audience alert throughout.
The women dancers were sparkling, showcasing the beauty of traditional dances from the Shire Valley.
The veteran artist offered a number of songs but it was the classic ‘Chinafuna Mbale’ that, again, dominated.
- Advertisement -
No wonder, it was performed again to close off the night.
“I am happy to perform at Mangolongondo Night. Music is still in me although I am getting old.
‘In 2025, I want to engage an extra gear by teaching music and even establishing a music studio. For that to happen, I need support, in terms of resources,” he said.
Ndamera said young people needed not to shy away from traditional music, saying it was the identity and face of Malawi music.
“Yes there is Amapiano and other genres but that cannot win over our own sound. So I, as a veteran artist, want to serve the nation and teach young people traditional sounds,” he said.
After Ndamera came Annemarie Quinn, a singer and guitarist who is from the United Kingdom (UK) but is now based in the country, having been here for some time now.
Annemarie, who is a music teacher at Jacaranda School for Orphans, continued from where Ndamera had left off, dishing out songs from her album Blue Sky Thinking – an album in which she collaborated with several Malawian artists.
On her bill on the night included tracks such as ‘Osadandaula’, ‘Usiku Okongola’ and ‘Blue Sky Thinking’.
“Huge thanks to everyone who came out to support us. We danced and sang in the rain and it was an honour to share the stage with John Fire and Boniface Ndamera,” she said.
Annemarie said Mangolongondo Night is a non-profit event that gives Malawian musicians the platform to strut their stuff.
“We make sure that the musicians are paid and acknowledged for their art. We do this during the last Friday of every month,” she said.
John Fire was the last to perform on the night and his performance also marked his last as he flies out to the UK today to join his family.
“We were worried with the rains but it turned out to be a good outing of beautiful performances. People enjoyed every moment,” he said.
