Lilongwe Bob Marley fest ends today
After three days of pure fun, Lilongwe fun lovers will today flock to Lilongwe Sanctuary Lodge to curtail what can arguably be the best reggae festival to have graced the city.
Dubbed ‘One Love Respect festival,’ this year’s Bob Marley memorial has been running for the past three days.
The fun started on Thursday evening at The Living Room where a Kelvin Mcdonald directed documentary on the life of the fallen Jamaican reggae icon was screened.
The Diplomats hosted Friday’s events where renowned DJ Kenny Klips entertained fans with the ‘Bob Marley reloaded music session.’
The Chameleon got its turn on Saturday when it hosted the Easy Skinkin live music where artists Sally Nyundo, Mafunyeta and Apatsa Kwilimbe performed.
This is a departure from the traditional one-day event that used to characterise the annual memorial of the fallen international reggae icon from Jamaica.
But the fun is expected to reach its climax at the Sanctuary Lodge today [Sunday] where a completely different package will be on show.
Today’s event will be spiced up by live performances from Nyundo himself, dancehall artist Mafunyeta and Apatsa Kwilimbe while jumping castles, swimming and games await all children patronising the Sanctuary Lodge for only K1 000 (about $2.50).
Event host Nyundo said they wanted to incorporate a family feeling into the event that is largely regarded as a strict Rastafarian event.
“Bob Marley memorials are not a one-man thing. The icon himself was a family man with sound family values. We just wanted to devise something for everyone; hence, the Bob Marley Family day on Sunday. We are doing it the picnic way.
“We want to honour a fallen legend that devoted his whole life preaching peace, love, harmony and justice. This was for all mankind,” said Nyundo.
This is the eighth year running since Nyundo and his Runtingz Crew started organising local fests in memory of the Jamaican reggae icon. But in the past the celebrations were only held on May 11, the day Bob Marley died about 42 years ago.
Nyundo hinted that he may consider inviting international reggae artists to spice up future events.
