Mlaka, Soldier set for stage reunion

After nearly 20 years, two of the country’s great musicians ‘Soldier’ Lucius Banda and MacDonald Mlaka Maliro are set to share the stage again.

The two will star side by side during Mlaka’s comeback show dubbed ‘The Return of Mlaka Maliro’ scheduled for May 7 at Lilongwe Golf Club. The show has been organised by entertainment stable Entertainers Promotions.

The reunion is expected to rekindle the days when the two starred together at Zembani Band before Mlaka left to pursue a solo career in 2002. What followed was a  perceived spat between them at least in the eyes of their fans.

Mlaks’s compositions such as Usakwiye, Dyera and Chinsalu as well as Soldier’s Umvetse were interpreted as part of that silent warfare between the two.

Music commentator Hastings Ndevu said the compositions needed people that really understood the relationship between the two.

“The songs had hidden meanings. They did not attack each other savagely. It was purely artistic. Until now people still don’t know it happened. That is the beauty of art,” he said.

But the two artists have separately dismissed having any bad blood between them. The Balaka-based artists said the assertions were just the work of the people to suit their relevance and narrative.

Mlaka said: “In most things that happen and issues that arise, it is the work of the people around that fan it. We did not have much differences between us. I left Zembani and we moved on with our lives and remained very close friends.”

On his part, ‘Soldier’ echoed in: “Malawians always exaggerate issues. When someone leaves an establishment it is always believed that there are issues behind.

“Zembani Band was designed to be like a school where people come to learn and go. Are you sure by now we would have had all those artists?”

He said works of art speak to many people and in the process they resonate with some people. Lucius said it will be unfair to pin music compositions on particular individuals. 

On his part, Mlaka said people should expect more of such shows.

“I love and respect him. He is the one who introduced me to the music world. Even during the eight years I was outside the country, every time I came I visited him. We prayed together when he was unwell. He always supported me in pastoral work,” he said.

The artists said they are both looking forward to performing together on stage describing the event as a moment which will take them back memory lane.

Mlaka said: “It will be my first show in Lilongwe since my comeback. I want my fans to enjoy what really a live music performance experience is like.”