Mibawa bridges fun gap
For the Blantyre fun-seeker, opting for not so rowdy night entertainment, Mibawa Café is the place to be.
Situated opposite the Ryalls Hotel at the heart of the city, the newly-opened spot is home for rare fun: Live music from the Mibawa Band, a resident outfit that is reported to have been born from the Makasu notion of old.
“Mibawa Café provides an alternative for the more mature people who have been starved of fun. For so long, there has been a gap and all we’re doing is to fill it up,†said the Café’s owner John Nthakomwa on Friday.
With sheets of rain dripping outside that night, it was warmer in the spot last Friday. As one entered to be greeted by the semi-darkness, one could feel the vibes from the band.
Playing such songs as Hugh Masekela’s revolutionary Mandela-Bring Him Back, the patrons were reminded that freedom does not come on a silver platter. And the song came aptly, with the party the South African statesman Nelson Mandela once led, the African National Congress (ANC) celebrating 100 years of existence.
Another heart-rending song played that night was Lionel Richie’s Hello, which invited handclapping and cat-calls from the patrons, who were seemingly having some good times. Some were seen shaking their bodies in the VIP section on the top floor.
“We seek to give out the best of fun. We perform live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. We give them rare music,†said John Katsokwe Jnr, known in music circles as Jay Jay.
