Nepman, Malawians in SA feud rages on
Just like the father that he is supposed to be, Zembani Band owner Lucius Banda has apologised to Malawians living in South Africa for Nepman’s denigrating utterances.
Nepman sparked a feud with some Malawians living in the rainbow nation which has seen exchange of videos characterised by disses and counter disses.
The Ndirande-based artist is captured in one of the clips saying: “Tili ku msonkhano ife aise. Uzingowona pa Malawi pa nyatwa. Osamangokakamira mayiko ayini ake kuno zinakukanikani. Agalu inu. Mumakakamira dziko la iyini ake chifukwa kuno zinakukanikani.”
Though Nepman later apologised, some of the Malawians living in South Africa seem to have none of it. They have since shared videos through WhatsApp in which they are seen brandishing short rifles, threatening to kill the musician the moment he steps in South Africa if he fails to pay unspecified amount of money.
This has forced Banda, who together with his Zembani Band regularly performs in South Africa, to attempt to pacify the situation.
“Everyone has that friend whom he jokes with. And this is not a new thing to many people,” he said in an interview.
He has, however, played down fears that the situation may affect their performances in that country, insisting that their fans will understand and receive their apology.
Said Banda: “People who love us outnumber those that hate us there. It would be very bad if we allowed ourselves to be slowed down by our detractors. We will do our research, and our next direction will be informed from what we will get from our fans.”
Music and arts commentator Gregory Gondwe has described Nepman’s actions as poor professional judgement since positive professional conduct is paramount to the success of those in the entertainment industry.
“It is a professional fatality to return ridicule to the very people that make you what you are. Celebrities are called so because of how they are venerated by the public,” he said.
