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Kendall trades art with politics

Musician-cum-film producer Kendall Kamwendo has become the latest artist to join politics after expressing his wish to contest in the Malawi Congress Party primary elections in Mndolera Constituency in Dowa District.

In an interview yesterday, the artist said his decision to join politics was motivated by the need to serve people from his home.

Kendall: I feel time has come | Courtesy of Kendall

“There is always time for everything and I feel time has come for me to move into a space where I can serve people from my area. My status as an artist further positions me at an advantage to attain that dream,” he said.

Kendall said as he begins his political journey, arts and youth development are his main interests. He has since played down any fears failing to balance art and politics.

He said: “These are two different careers. My real fans know who I am. I started singing political songs from way back. So, this will not be strange to them. I will handle the two roles perfectly.”

In a separate interview, art commentator Wonderful Mkhutche said the allure of power through politics is too hard to ignore for artists, especially those whose names are already known.

He said another element that cannot be ignored is that in Malawi politics pays better than art.

“People make political choices emotionally and not rationally. This is an advantage for artists who already have a huge following and influence,” said Mkhutche.

However, he cautioned the artists to play it smart as politics can threaten their artistic trajectory.

“But to be fair to the artists, we should not expect them to remain artists for good. Every person looks for an opportunity to do different things in life. There comes a time when one feels they have done enough as artists.”     

Kendall joins the footsteps of fellow artists such as the late Lucius Banda, Billy Kaunda, Malume Bokosi and, most recently, Skeffa Chimoto.

He rose to fame as one part of the Nyemba Nyemba Boys duo alongside Symon Kamlaka. Kendall has recently shifted his attention to acting and he was the co-director and actor in the popular movie School Days.

Kendall, who also owned the defunct Luso TV, is currently producing another movie titled Welcome to Maula Prison.

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