Mada’s raw gospel talent

The lyrics of youthful American gospel artist Jamie Grace’s song simply personify Malawi’s new gospel catch, 17-year-old Mada Ngoleka.

‘Wish I could tell you in a short story or poem,’ the song goes in part, and goes on: ‘But, all I have is my voice and this guitar/And You have my heart.’

This is how it was when Mada strum an acoustic guitar and sang the song on Friday last week during the launch of Chiccu Clothing. The instrument and her voice seemed to weave the passion and joy she feels in music.

When she played her own composition, Chikondi, the CFAO car showroom went warm, and she got a resounding ovation. The music was simply touching, as it showed how Malawi can forget her poverty and concentrate on the beauty that exists within.

“When I came back to Malawi last year after close to eight years away, I looked at the sky and saw how blue it was. One thing I learned was: We don’t need big cars and mansions to enjoy life and love. If we have the love of God, we have the greatest thing,” said Mada.

That was her second appearance after she performed for the first time at Allan Ngumuya’s album launch last month.

“My passion to play music ignites so many emotions inside me and those who hear the music. I find joy in combining singing and playing the guitar,” said the Manja resident.

As she talks of her music career, which spans only three years, her infectious smile, bright eyes and her expressive way with words are all tale-tell signs: This is one unique girl. A promising artist in a country where female musicians scarcely play instruments.

It all started at Brampton Manor in London where she was doing her A-Levels. Music was one of her subjects, and the guitar her best instrument. The passion grew in Essex, at the Springs of Life International Church, where her mother was a pastor.

“I used to play the guitar as a student and in church. For me, gospel music must touch lives. It should not merely be about pleasing the audience,” said Mada, who admires Grace Chinga and Ndirande Anglican Voices on the local scene.

Her work culminated into a five-song extended EP (a musical recording that contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full studio album) which included songs like Chikondi, Bright Side, Consuming Fire and Change. An interesting song in the EP is 70 Times 7.

Mada affirmed: “In the gospels, Jesus was asked how many times we can forgive others. His answer was 70 times 7. That does not mean 490. It means we should forgive all the time,” said Mada, the last born in a family of three.

Currently, the music is enjoying the airwaves on various radio stations and she plans to release a 12-track album this year. But for the moment, she will keep on appearing as a supporting act for other artists.

On her thoughts of Malawi gospel music at the moment, she said she wishes scandal does not taint the image of the genre. That she draws from phone-in programmes where listeners are dismayed by press reports of gospel artists in acts of drunkenness, debauchery, adultery and other evils.

A writer in her free time, Mada says Malawian youths should not look down upon themselves. Although she dreams of becoming a journalist, she believes her life will revolve around music and spreading God’s word.

“The Bible says we should not despise others because of their age. Young people should not feel intimidated and do whatever God wants them to do with all their might and heart. If they have a passion for God, nothing can stop them,” she observed.

Such is the bubbly spirit in the young woman: Powerful and compelling. Her contagious joy, passion and message of hope can only be understood in what she has to give through her voice and guitar.