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Malawian artists secure BBC opportunity

Malawi’s export standup comedian  Daliso Chaponda and Afro-pop musician Lawi have landed an opportunity with BBC radio that will see the  country’s talent being exposed to the international community, especially Europe.

The comedian kicked off a new radio show, dubbed Citizen of Nowhere aired on BBC 4 with Lawi’s Timalira hit as the theme song.

The four episodes of the programme will be aired on the radio every Wednesday for the next few weeks, according to the media giant’s website, www.bbc.co.uk/programmes .

Lawi: It’s such a great honour

In the first episode aired on Wednesday,19.30pm local time, the comedian looked at the relationship between the UK and Africa.

Under the name, How It All Begun, Chaponda was introduced as “Malawi’s greatest export”.

“I am a bit more valuable than tobacco, but a bit less valuable than babies for Madonna,” he agreed.

But why a Citizen of Nowhere?

“I am Malawian born in Zambia, raised in Kenya, Swaziland, Austria, Somalia and Canada kicked me out so I moved to England,” he seemingly responded.

As a Malawian comedian who grew up all over the world, Chaponda compiled his jokes into sections that joked about slavery and colonialism.

“Slavery was the most profitable trade in those years I went to a museum in England with a wall filled with random black people who have nothing to do with slavery. Jay Z is on the wall. Why put Jay Z on the wall of a slavery museum? He has got 99 problems and slavery is not one of them,” he teased.

On colonialism, he mocked Africans for copying everything British.

“My schools tried to be British in every way. So our school uniforms were the exact replica of grey sweaters and blue blazers we know. The only thing though, England is a cold country. Why are we wearing blazers on the equator?” he asked.

Written and performed by Chaponda, the show features James Quinn as the other guy with Lawi’s Timalira in the background.

In an interview, Lawi said the development will take Malawi art to another level.

“It’s such a great honour for Daliso to propose my music for such a big show on the biggest radio. I’m just thankful to him and all those who have made it possible to support Malawian art by keeping it alive on such a platform.

“The production team chose my song as opening and closing music for the programme. I guess they were looking for African music in line with their preference.” he explained. n

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