The diversity that defines Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa District means the place is home to all manner of things, including varied talents.
The camp has artistic talents in dance, visual art, poetry, music and acting and it is no surprise that time and again creative industry players look the Dzaleka Refugee Camp direction when curating events or producing movies.
Acts such as Salama Africa Dance Crew, visual artist Sergio Kasongo, photographer Ruben Kabs, musician Israel Kab, who once collaborated with Namadingo, ForUs Dance Group and Forus Crew, one-time winners of the Ka Jive dance competition, flocked to Dzaleka.
Despite the flourishing talent, the artists from the camp are still hindered, in many ways more than one.
A member of the Salama Africa Dance Crew, Chris Piniero said: “We have experienced discrimination from some artists and event organisers who refuse to pay us for our services, citing our refugee status.
“We have also had cases where we have been booked for shows outside the country only to be denied documents by Immigration authorities. These obstacles hinder our ability to fully pursue our passion for art.”
Another challenge artists from the camp encounter is on marketing and distribution of their work.
In response to this problem, Vwaza Multimedia in collaboration with the Diamond Standard and Salama Africa has rolled out an initiative called Music Business Link-up aimed at unlocking the creative potential of artists based in the camp by nurturing their talent and positioning them for global recognition.
Vwaza Multimedia founder Joel Fickson said the initiative will facilitate discussions on Malawi music industry, intellectual property and music monetisation,
“We are dedicated to empowering Malawi’s music industry by providing innovative solutions and opportunities for artists. Dzaleka’s rich cultural heritage and talented artists make it the perfect partner in our mission to elevate Malawi’s music globally,” he said.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Salama Africa executive director Prince Lukendo said they want to empower refugee artists who have the talent but lack access to music industry knowledge and income opportunities.
“We want to provide them with practical training in music business and distribution. We aim to help them turn their creativity into sustainable careers and build brighter futures through arts,” he said.
Lukendo said they are encouraged by the support host communities offer which has helped Dzaleka-based artists to share their work beyond the camp.
He said: “While resources are limited, their openness and collaboration has been essential. Continued support and deeper engagement will be key to unlocking even greater potential and fostering long-term creative growth.”
On her part, Diamond Standard founder Pokani Kaunda, alias Kim of Diamonds, said their focus is on delivering music business workshops that equip the creative community with practical industry knowledge, particularly around harnessing their talent and intellectual property.
The initiative will formally be launched on July 26 during an event scheduled to take place at Dzaleka Refugee Camp. The event will feature different performances designed to build the capacity of the creative community
