Youth organisation awards artists

Lilongwe-based Light of Youth Creative Organisation (Lyco) recently recognised artists as a way of attracting students to arts.

According to a full list submitted to The Nation, Erick Mabedi is the best long-time serving actor and director of Chichewa drama. Tafika Drama Group and its director Catherine Kamthunzi were named best group and director of Chichewa drama respectively.

Macarthur Matukuta of Solomonic Peacocks was named promising leader and best director of drama while Smith Likongwe came out best in script writing category alongside Ian Chitsekula.

Nanzikambe’s Mbene Mwambene was named the best actor (male category)while director of Rising Choreos theatre company Joyce Mhango-Chavula was named the best actor (female category) alongside Susan Kamkosi-Banda. Chavula-Mhango was also named the best youth arts ambassador. Visual artist Elson Kambalu excelled in visual arts category where he was named the most promising visual art artists and leader. In festivals, Blantyre Arts Festival (BAF) was named the best organised festival.

Every year, Lyco recognises best artists in creative arts when awarding outstanding schools in its annual National Schools Youths Arts Festival (Nasfest) drama competition. However, for the first time, the organisation partnered with government and gave out 28 certificates of achievements to individuals and institutions.

“Art is not attractive to most youths in Malawi because it is not given a priority. It is time to show its significance by awarding people who have dedicated their time to arts. This in turn will help in motivating young people and those already in arts to work hard and in the long run, their role will improve Malawi’s arts,” said Lyco executive director James Kitchen.

In schools category, Likuni boys was recognised for its participation in drama competition for many years and shared the title with Biwi and Robert Blake secondary schools which also got other accolades for being well-coordinated schools in drama. Matindi Girls was named the most organised school with well-directed plays. The awards also saw some teachers who direct some school plays being recognised for their role.

“This is the beginning of a new chapter. There are many achievers and we believe with government’s support, the list will be long next year,” said Kitchen.