13 years of hope amid despair

The Sand Music Festival is facing challenges in financing, but the organisers’ zeal still looks far from diminishing.

During the festival’s 13th edition at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi from Friday to yesterday, the organisers were forced to make last minute changes due to logistical challenges.

Previously unveiled acts such as Jamaican reggae artist Kenyatta Hill and Nigerian Afro-pop star Spyro failed because of what organisers said were challenges stemming from lack of forex.

In their place came two South African acts; Boohle, who performed on the opening day and a familiar face in Makhadzi, who had the task of lifting the spirit of the event on Saturday night.

The corporate support for the event too was hugely wanting. The financial outlay at the disposal of Impakt Events Management, organisers of the event, was evidently limiting. That raised questions on what the future holds for what is arguably Malawi’s biggest homegrown music festival.

As the Sandfest time wheel continues to spin, the expectation was that it would build on the strong foundations laid in the past 13 years. But as it stands, its progress is being threatened by the overall prevailing economic hardships, if the word from organisers is anything to go by.

Festival director ‘Soldier’ Lucius Banda admitted that the 2023 edition has been the toughest in the history of the event.

“We have been limited in terms of finances. That has forced us to go low a bit. We have also paid the price for failing to adjust our ticket pricing in tandem with the current economic climate. Maintaining the same price for three years when the cost of living keeps going up has exposed us,” he said.

That aside, other aspects of the event seem to be on an upward trajectory. The performing stage, which stood majestically facing the western side of the Sunbird Nkopola beach was a statement on its own. It was well lit such that one could clearly see the face of the performers from far.

Sound engineer Shadreck Kalukusha and his team made sure there was little error in the sound system.

The performances themselves were another stand out point. On the opening day, Lilongwe-based The Great Angels Choir was a marvel to watch.

Other acts which dazzled  included dancehall artist Malinga, whose freestyle skills had the audience in awe.

Making a rare outing, rapper Fredokiss did not disappoint either. A few collaborations on stage with Malinga were enough to underline his tag as one of the finest rappers in the game.

However, it was the two South African acts in Murumba Pitch duo and amapiano artist Boohle who proved to be the toast of the first day. The two acts performed one after the other and their sets lifted the mood around the beach to a new level.

Boohle, a last minute addition to the performers list, particularly impressed with her popular songs such as Hamba, Ngixolele and Siyathandana. Her diminutive nature was not even noticeable because of her beautiful dancing antics.

On the second day, another marathon of music fun was delivered. Don Tarz, Hyphe, Driemo, Lulu and surprise act South African Makhadzi were thrown into the fray. Just like on the first day, the party went on till the wee hours of Sunday.

Still, in the end, the finer details of what constitutes a successful festival or not were not hugely pronounced. However, what was clear is that after three days, fun seekers had a good dose of music entertainment.