Mutale lights up Malawi

There were a lot of engagements lined up during the Meet and Greet event organised by Amaryllis Hotel, which featured Zambian socialite Mutale Mwanza and local rapper Tay Grin on Friday night.

A catalogue of music performances from some of the country’s top music stars, wining, dining and networking was on offer. The Splash Rooftop Restaurant at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre, where the event was hosted, was buzzing with excitement.

But out of all the happenings on the night’s menu, what seemed to excite patrons more was the presence of the Zambian stunner Mutale. Such that when she walked into the arena side by side with her host Tay Grin, there was an uproar.

From that moment, everyone grabbed the opportunity to either take pictures with her or greet her even before the pair made their way to the designated podium to offer their formal salutations.

In a display of complete easy-going, Mutale ensured she made time for everyone. She did not resist smiling and posing with those who asked for a selfie opportunity.

She was at home and there were no doubts. Even in a post-event interview, the Zambian did not hide how homely she felt in Malawi.

When asked if there is a chance for her to come back to Malawi, Mutale almost dismissed the relevance of the question.

“What do you mean am I coming back? Are you chasing me? [laughs]. I don’t want to go. I want to go to the lake. I want to buy a house in Area 43. Malawi is beautiful. Malawi is like an extension of Zambia. I don’t feel like I am in a different place. I feel like I am home,” she said with a girlish smile. 

Both Mutale and Tay Grin appeared to separately play down suggestions that the relationship between them may as well be beyond the normal as had been speculated on social media in the run up to the Meet and Greet event.

Mutale said the pair is looking at how to propel each other’s career which she said is very important. She, however, stated that she was impressed with her host’s performance on the night.

She said: “The fusion of the drums was very rhythmic which is very important for me because he is a rapper and you have drummers there and people dancing. It is a whole performance. It is beautiful and that is what we call African music.”

The pair are likely to reunite soon as the Zambian hinted that Tay Grin will be invited to one of Zambia’s prestigious creative platforms, Ngom Awards where Mutale  chairs the advisory committee.

“He is probably coming to Zambia where we will be having the Ngom Awards on December 12. We are looking at having Tay Grin there because Yo Maps will be performing too. They need to give a fire performance of their trending song So Mone,” she said.

On his part, Tay Grin said the coming together of their brands goes beyond benefitting the artistic realm as other aspects such as promoting various business adventures also stand to benefit. He said he was impressed that Malawians understood that the platform introduced the two countries brands.

Said the Nyau King: “Mutale has come with a photography crew and we have linked them up with a lot of young guys doing videography so they can learn a few tips.

“She has many platforms that can help catapult our talents here at home. The conversation has been made clear that we want to propel our country and link the two countries so that the numbers can be one.”

Without giving away much in terms of the nature of their relationship, Tay Grin said Mutale is someone he has known for so long.

He said: “We get along very well and we are in a position where we have shared so much creatively. This is a relationship that we are exploring to see where we can take it. She is an established lady who has done amazing stuff.

“As the events unfold you will be the first to know (laughs). Now this all we are doing and it is very important.”

Amaryllis Hotel general manager Ramy Waheed, said the main reason for the event was to have a great tradition between Zambian and Malawian artists. He said having Malawian artists perform at the event  streamed live in Zambia is a boost.

Some of the artists who performed were Tuno, Meja, Namadingo, Zani Challe, Tay Grin and Nyago.