Fikisa leader dies

In the wee hours of December 18, the leader of musical group Fikisa Jeffrey Thom passed away in Ntaja, Machinga District after suffering an asthma attack.

In an interview with The Nation, Thom’s nephew Dine Jafali said his uncle died after a short illness and plans were underway to have his remains buried in his village in Ulongwe, Balaka District.

“I know many Malawians think Fikisa had died, but the truth is Fikisa was still active and had just recorded a new song. Everything was set to reclaim the group’s former glory,” he said.

On his part, the late Thom’s friend and artist Imraan Shabaan said his death is a huge blow to the music industry, especially to the promotion of traditional songs.

“He was passionate about promoting local sounds. He was particularly passionate about the Yao music and traditional sounds,” he said.

Musician Tay Grin, who also incorporates traditional elements in his music and worked with the late Thom on several occasions, said he was saddened by the death.

He said: “My music career has been blessed with individual input from various tremendously talented individuals, including the late Thom. I met him in 2006 when he was with Chichiri Dance Troupe. Not only did he help me build my troupe of dancers, but his culturally rich vocals can also be heard in several of my earlier classics such as Chitedze, Two by Two, Nyau Music and Moto.”

Tay Grin said Thom was passionate about culture.

One of Fikisa’s producers Marcus Pasanje of Lo-Budget Studio, who produced five of the songs on Fikisa’s debut album, said Thom’s passing is a huge loss to the music industry.

“Thom was one of the most creative artists that I have ever worked with. He was so creative and dynamic that he made us realize that bringing the sound of the local drums into modern music is actually cool and catchy,” he said.

Nyimbo Music Company, under which Fikisa was signed, in a statement mourned the death of Thom.

“Thom’s distinctive vocals and compelling lyricism were the heartbeat of Fikisa, making his absence truly irreplaceable. He was a one-of-a-kind artist, known for his selflessness and unwavering dedication to the craft. We fondly remember him for sharing the beauty of his Yao culture through his art, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts,” reads the statement in part.

 Fikisa, once a trio, now has a single member having first lost drummer Seleman Yusufu in 2020.

The Fikisa outfit became a sensation with the debut album called Fikisa in 2012 which was later voted album of the year on BBC Africa.

Some of the group’s hit songs include Ademwiche, popularly known as Akamwire, Walume Wawiwu, Natchengwa and Adokotala. n