Jacaranda Cultural Centre’s Sounds of Malawi platform on Thursday paid tribute to fallen vice-president Saulos Klaus Chilima who died in a plane crash alongside eight others on June 10.
The event featured performances by Jacaranda School of Orphans Cultural troupe, Keturah and Ndirande Anglican Voices.
In his opening speech, the event’s host Waliko Makhala led patrons, who filled the spacious venue, in observing a one-minute silence in honour of the victims of the military plane crash.
“Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima was actively involved in cultural development and we deemed it fit to organise this event in his honour,” he said.
Makhala said Chilima, also known as Impi Bhiyeni, was pivotal in promoting Maseko Heritage Trust activities such as Umhlangano wa Maseko festival.
“He used to attend these cultural events in his full cultural regalia. He was an inspiration,” he said.
First to take to the stage was The Jacaranda School of Orphans Group. They performed songs such as Pali Ena, Idza Pafupi ndi Mbuye and Pokumbukira Mtanda, a popular hymn.
The young artists then went into folksongs such as Pa Phiri la Zomba and Mwanayu Ngwayani, forcing patrons to invade the dance floor.
Then Keturah took over from Jacaranda Cultural Troupe with her first song Ndine Chimbalame.
Dressed in a red outfit and matching headpiece, she sang with passion other songs such as Ana Mwaasiya.
After Keturah, Ndirande Anglican Voices jumped on stage to mark their first appearance on the Sounds of Malawi platform. They opened their set with a sombre tone in Ine Ndibwelera, It is Well, Mwaitanidwa, Ndamasulidwa and others.
But it was Ndimamvetsera Kumwamba that prompted Madonna’s adopted son David Banda to jump on stage to join the choral group.
Keturah also joined them on stage and together they performed the song, much to the amusement of patrons.
In random post-event interviews, patrons said this was one of the best performances ever at Jacaranda.
Said Mbali Phiri: “This was a befitting tribute for SKC. It was moving, but with a great touch of fun.”
After the event, Banda, who was casually dressed in black pair of trousers and a cream top took photos with patrons and interacted freely with many. He said soon he will be back with his mum
