Paul, Lucius’ hour of need

 I have to confess that ever since I realised that I have some sense and passion for music, I found the Banda siblings Paul and Lucius already synonymous with music.

In fact, I am not ashamed to record on this platform that the first piece of music that I possessed was Lucius’s Cease Fire album. As a little boy growing up in Mapale, Mzuzu, I don’t know how I raised enough money to buy the collection.

When I got home with it, my two elder brothers, who for long looked at themselves as champions when it came to bringing good and new music in the household, were beaten at their own game and could not believe it.

For a while, I was the jewel of the household. Neighbours and friends from the location had to seek permission from this little boy to borrow this highly prized asset that was under my utter authority. The feeling of attaining such relevance and importance was very fulfilling.

The story of the Banda siblings and music that I have illustrated above is common with many other music lovers in Malawi. For long, the two have meant music to Malawi just like music has meant life to them.

Their association with music is a spiral web that has countless extensions. Before civilisation reached respectable levels in Malawi, we had very few music recording houses. One could actually count with the aid of their fingers how many recording studios Malawi had.

One of the few recording studios was the one under the custody of the Roman Catholic Church, Imbirani Yahwe Studio in Balaka. Paul was one of the stalwarts within the Imbirani Yahwe establishments along with other names.

Coupled with that, Paul was also the group leader of the church’s music establishment Alleluya Band. The band has birthed music stories of numerous artists in Malawi including that of Lucius.

This space is not enough to recount the names who have passed through the corridors of Alleluya Band enroute to their thriving solo careers or otherwise. Even my memory would fail me if I attempted so.

By extension, upon graduating from the Alleluya Band music school, Lucius established his own Zembani Band in 1997. The work that he has done there by giving a platform to both up-and-coming artists and other already established names has also been enormous.

For over two decades, Lucius, through his Zembani brand, has created dreams for some and made dreams come true for others. While other groups have come and gone, Lucius has stayed steadfast on his Zembani Music dream.

That’s why when you hear the story of their ailment today, one cannot fail to sympathise with them. Life being what it is, you always expect to hit a low one time. But what matters is always how that hour arrives and the state it finds you in.

The story of the Banda’s, where three siblings are chronically sick is one that you would not want to befall anyone. Paul and Lucius are battling kidney problems while their brother Francis is down with blood cancer. Such a sad predicament.

All their conditions demand an ever-flowing source of financial resources if they are to receive good medical attention.

At the moment Paul and Lucius require dialysis sessions at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre. It means commuting from their base to Blantyre at least four times a week.

No matter how deep the well of your resources can be, but the exercise is not sustainable in the long term in any way. Hence, the call by Lucius last week for prayers and assistance from Malawians should be heeded with the earnest spirit it requires.

The two entertainers could not have been in a bad space than they are now. For whatever they have been, I am sure Malawi owes them something in their hour of need. Paul, Lucius and Francis, receive my get well soon note.