Lucius, Lulu tour RSA with shows

ALBERT SHARRA

 

For so long Malawi has been only leading in inviting foreign musicians to perform in the country, with very few of its artists being invited to perform in foreign countries. This signaled something negative about our music and promised no future for the country in music. However, in just a decade, the story has changed. Malawian music is becoming hot stuff in foreign countries with fun lovers there being eager to watch its artists performing live.

 

Witnessing this is a double international music performance invitation that has landed on our four local artists who are being invited to perform outside the country.

 

With Masudi Khonje and Dyghton Mbewe touring Kenya with gospel music, big shows will be in the gold lands of Republic of South Africa (RSA) where our top secular stars Lawrence Khwisa aka Lulu and Soldier Lucius Banda will be touring the cities of Johannesberg, Durban and Cape town with live performances courtesy of RSA entertainment promoters Scallas Café and HK Events.

 

This will be the second time in a year for the secular artists to tour the country on similar arrangements.

 

Speaking when confirming about the invitation, the Mabala fame star said the invitation is a two weeks one and they are expected to perform in two consecutive weekends.

 

“I can confirm to the nation that I have been invited alongside Lulu by a number of music sponsors in RSA and we are expected to spend two weeks there performing. Among the main sponsors are Scallas Café in Durban and HK Events in Johannesberg. In total there are about four but we are treating the trip as one,” he said.

 

Expected to leave the country late this month end, Banda who will travel with the whole Zembani Banda and Lulu will start their journey with a performance at Turffontein School Hall in Johannesburg on first Friday of December. The following day, they will be at Scallas café in Durban and will close the first chapter with a performance at Westlake in Cape Town. The next Saturday, they will be at fun maker Safari hotel winding up the tour.

 

Banda whose two DVDs, Life album and Life Documentary are selling like hot cakes on the market attributes the success of his Life album to his fame in RSA.

 

“Life album is doing miracles in South Africa. People want it very much than what is happening here but I know it is because people in RSA don’t just dance to any music, they listen first and grasp the message. Many people also love Lulu especially because of his recent album which carrying the popular track Mwachenjera Darling,”said Banda while promising to display the best of his capacity.

 

Self styled star, Lulu says he can’t wait for the shows.”It is an honour to me because it will expose me to the international music. I am taking it seriously and my wish is to lift Malawian flag there and give the people what is real about Malawi.I have already started my preparations with Zembani band and we are all geared for the shows,”

One of the orgnaisers of the shows who is also a Malawian but based in RSA Kingsley Kakhobwe, in an email interview indicated that the shows are expected to be patronized by hundreds of people including award-winning musicians in RSA. He said the purpose of the shows is to unite Malawians in South Africa by encouraging them to work together as one.

END.