Karonga: Nightlife on another planet
In terms of relaxing after hard work, Planet Club is not only famous but also a hint on what the town is capable of doing to revellers.
Dull during daytime and vibrant after 10pm, the place stocks almost everything that a man on the move requires -limitless booze, mang’ina, DStv, pool, darts and crowds.
There are two bottle stores at Planet Club; one in the main and meant for VIP lounge while the other caters for those who like to move their bodies. Don’t be shy, for the lights have a fantastic colour.
The place is simply self-contained and fills a long-time gap in the border town, says Planet Club managing director Ben Mponda.
“I opened this in 2008 because Karonga had no good entertainment dens,” explains Mponda.
The vast arena at the hotspot has hosted live bands from Black Missionaries and Lucius Banda’s Zembani to urban music maestros: Maskal, Young Kay, Third Eye and Dan Lu.
“Arrangements are at an advanced stage to start live concerts which are missing here. Once that is done, we would not be ashamed to claim that the entertainment equation is complete,” he says.
Promoter-cum-businessperson Lyton Mangochi is deeply involved in entertainment activities. He disclosed that since 2005, he has been promoting different types of musicians, including foreigners like Ephraim Mwansasu from Tanzania as well as Malawi’s Thomas Chibade, Skefa Chimoto and Charles Nsaku.
“There are two main venues—Planet Club and Karonga Teachers’ Training College—but people prefer the Planet Club because of its proximity to town,” says the entertainment agent.
