Nzayahwe Christmas show lifts up Lilongwe

The Nzayahwe Christmas show organised by one of the country’s renowned gospel music groups The Great Angels Choir left patrons asking for more following scintillating performances by various artists.

A long list of gospel and urban artists performed at the show at the spacious Bingu International convention Centre auditorium in Lilongwe.

The Great Angels Choir music director Ephraim Zonda said the event was meant to help music lovers celebrate Christmas in style.

“This is a great celebration of the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. We are happy to bring artists together to celebrate the day,”

Artists such as Kell Kay, Lulu, Thocco Katimba, Miracle Chinga, Shammah Vocals, Wendy Harawa and Favoured Martha, among others, performed at the event.

It was exciting to see the artists seamlessly take turns to entertain the patrons with both secular and gospel songs. The atmosphere was celebratory with many of the patrons on their feet for the good part of the evening.

Veteran artist Billy Kaunda refused to be outshined as he demonstrated that experience is a good teacher with his stage presence and vocal control. He took patrons down memory lane with his hit songs, including the famous Mwapindulanji.

Miracle Chinga, daughter to the fallen gospel songbird Grace Chinga, also went on stage with vigour and performed her set enthusiastically.

She started with her deceased mother’s song Mwayenera, but it was when she performed one of the popular hymns sung in some churches Kumwamba Nkodabwitsa that she struck a chord with patrons.

“I am glad she is getting out of her mother’s shadows. She now has her songs and she is doing very well,” said one of the patrons Chifundo Bokosi at the event.

When it was time for Lulu, he did not hold back. He performed both secular and gospel songs. Ladies in the audience screamed and sang along when he performed Mwachenjera Darling, a song in which a lady laments of being hurt by her boyfriend of many years.

“Mwachenjera Darling, mudzandifuna nthawi idzakwana ndithu….” the ladies sang in unison.

Blantyre-based Ndirande Anglican Voices also made sure they left a mark as they performed their hit songs, including Ine Ndibwelera, Ndimamvetsera Kumwamba and Wakutuma Ndani and many others.

The hosts The Great Angels Choir also refused to be outdone as their performance was a clear work of art with perfect choreographed dance moves and great melodies.

At the end of the event, patrons left the venue satisfied and singing praise of the show.

“This show is everything I expected and so much more. The performances were great, the sound output was pristine. This is what music lovers look for when they go to a show,” said Joe Mbiri after the event.  

However, one of the musicians who was billed to perform, Skeffa Chimoto, did not show up, apparently because he failed to make it in time for the show as he had travelled for another show.

 During the show, patrons also contributed K380 000 to help gospel musician Peter Uyu Mlangeni who is recuperating after being injured in a car accident. The money has so far been handed over to the artist in cash by Thocco Katimba who represented the patrons.