Ma Blacks make Blantyre return

Black Missionaries returned to the stage in Blantyre on Friday night after six months of silence.

This was their longest stay-away from Blantyre in many years since their appearance at MD off Chileka Road on January 4 2024.

On Saturday, the reggae outfit made a grand return to one of their favourite hunting grounds at Club 24/7 near Kameza roundabout in Blantyre.

Performers included Afro-pop hotshot Saint and local amapiano star Zeze Kingston.

The activities on the night started on a low tempo as emerging reggae music acts such as Comunique and Toza Matafale took turns to entertain patrons.

Moda Fumulani raised the tempo with renditions from his late brother Gift Fumulani’s songs such as Ndimakukonda and Bwenzi Langa. By then the complexion of the event was slowly transforming into ecstasy.

But the low point on the menu came courtesy of forgotten seasoned artist Charles Nsaku. A lot was expected from him, but his appearance on stage did little to impress.

But things soon took a turn for the better when current favourite Saint took to the stage. The miserable performance Nsaku had subjected the patrons to was soon forgotten. The Lilongwe-based artist brought all his energy and vigour to the performance.

To mark his time on stage he delivered his smash hit Una. He did little to sing the song as the audience took over the responsibility of voicing over the song. He bowed out to a huge applause from the audience.

Later, Zeze Kingston had the simple task of maintaining the momentum to the level raised by his collegue. He took the jam-packed audience on an amapiano groove that lasted close to an hour.

From the Black Missionaries family first came Anthony Makondetsa. His stay on stage gave a signal of what was in store.

Then came the moment people had been waiting for when Black Missionaries Band frontman Anjiru Fumulani appeared in style. The stylish vocalist appeared as cool as usual. His easy approach did little to betray the huge job that was before him.

The group sang the night away until the morning hours of Sunday when they left the stage. Their return to Blantyre was over.