Behind Elson Kambalu
On a daily basis, you would find him in an exhibition hall dusting off some of his artworks while waiting for customers. He is a fine artist and is known for his paintings and sculpture. For years, this is what has made him name, Elson Kambalu, someone who is known within and beyond.
Behind his name is the La Galleria Africa (2011), Kumusu Art Shop and Gallery (2008), Art House Africa (2005), Sons and Daughters Magazine (2009) and Savanna Art Gallery (2008).
He has gone places and been recognised for his work, but what amazes one is how he diversifies while maintaining his identity.
If you looked at the time he spends on his paintings and sculptures, you would think, he does nothing else. But Kambalu is a researcher, an entrepreneur and an academician, among many other traits he puts on.
He has read several books and passed through the corridors of the University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (1996). He went a mile further to study for a post graduate Diploma in Marketing with the Chartered Institute of Malawi-UK (2004). He also holds an Advanced Certificate in Marketing (2003). He has received several certificates of attendance from workshops in different countries.
While many of his type think of formal employment, Kambalu, who has worked for different organisations before, says he finds solace in entrepreneurship and wants to make it big. Most times he is travelling; you would see him taking pictures. He says he likes pictures and says it is through appreciation of nature that he builds his ideas into paintings.
Kambalu recently surprised most Malawians who know him as a painter when he published an advert in newspapers, asking people who have ever used reproductive health herbs to contact him. This is one of major researches he is conducting. He says he wants to explore how the herbs work, which will culminate in a documentary film shortly.
Someone is already questioning his expertise in film making, but do not doubt him. If you are, look for Going South, a movie he produced about the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, he tells a captivating and imaginary story of a boy who plans to go to South Africa for work.
Kambalu says his fans should wait for another movie titled Mlandu Wa Njinga, which tells a story of a man languishing in prison on false allegations that he stole a bicycle.
“I will remain a painter as I am known, but slowly, I am diversifying. The difference between the two [films and paintings] is that a painting is hanged inside a house and very few get your message whereas in film, the audience becomes bigger. I am targeting a bigger audience now,” he says.
Kambalu is also a promoter. Currently, he is supporting Jaco Jana and says he sees a bright future for the musician under his project.
Born in Nsanje in the 1970s, Kambalu says he comes from two districts—Ntcheu, where his mother comes from and Dowa, his father’s home district. He is married to Mary and together they have two beautiful daughters—Savannah and Samtaya. The family also owns several businesses that include grocery shops.
His wife of 11 years, Mary says she feels privileged to have Kambalu for a hubby.
“No one can expect me to say anything bad about my husband, but I cannot lie or flatter him. Kambalu is a complete husband who makes sure his wife and children are happy. I am talkative, but he is cool and knows how to handle me. He is slow to anger,” she says.
She describes her husband as hardworking, disciplined, optimistic, ambitious, responsible and God-fearing. Mary, who works at the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), reveals that Kambalu is an individual who likes pursuing many things at once and says although she is always pessimistic, he has always proven her wrong. She says she is happy that at the end, the husband achieves results.
Kambalu’s soft-spoken wife comes from Linga Village, T/A Mwase in Kasungu District. n
