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Mikozi raises funds for Chinafuna M’bale star

After successfully raising funds for musician ‘Phungu’ Joseph Nkasa, Mikozi Network has embarked on a new drive to assist legendary musician Boniface Ndamera of the Lucky Stars Band.

Mikozi announced the fundraising drive yesterday, saying Ndamera, born with visual impairment in 1951, was struggling despite contributing to the country’s music industry.

Hoping for the best: Ndamera

Mikozi Network chief executive officer Bright Excess Chiligo tsaid in an interview that they are targeting to raise K1 million for the Chinafuna M’bale hit maker.

“As Mikozi Network, we have decided to fundraise for the Lucky Stars Band leader Boniface Ndamera and support him financially. This is one way of celebrating him while he is still alive. We want to raise K1 million for the musician,” he said.

According to Chiligo, Chinafuna M’bale has entertained people for over 35 years, but its creator was yet to tap tangible benefits from his sweat.

“If it were in other countries, Lucky Stars would’ve been richer with that single,” he said.

Ndamera comes from Chikwawa and he is the surviving founding member of the duo formed in the 1970s that was famed for playing and recording Malawian folk music. His long-time music partner Raphael Banda died in 2004.

Earlier this year, Mikozi Network raised about K907 000 for Nkasa and connected him to well-wishers who bought him a car and furniture.

Chiligo said the initiative was part of the network’s corporate social responsibility to support the country’s artists.

“As a leading online entertainment platform, it is our responsibility to work with different artists to ensure that together we contribute to the development of this country.

“We remain committed to this agenda apart from offering studio time at Mikozi Studios,” he said.

Chiligo then appealed to well-wishers, including established musicians to bail out the 70-year-old through Mikozi Network. He also urged the Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) to recognise the country’s legendary musicians while they are alive

Said Chiligo: “Here is a legend whose song Chinafuna M’bale has been amidst us for many years. It has entertained our fathers and is still entertaining us today. We can’t let such a significant legacy suffer. We need to do something about it.

“Government gave us Cosoma to ensure that artists benefit from their art, but I don’t understand how a hit song like Chinafuna M’bale, which has been relevant for over three decades, can fail to transform the life of Boniface Ndamera. No. Something is not adding up.”

On his part, Ndamera hailed Mikozi for the initiative and an exclusive interview which helped him to empty his chest. n

Chimoto: It is mature to accept our situations

Musician Skeffa Chimoto is ready with a new single titled Mthunzi wa Chitedze slated for premiere on Thursday December 30.

In an interview, Chimoto said the song is a piece of advice for people to sometimes face their problems instead of sweeping them under the carpet.

He said: “I am reasoning with people that sometimes it is mature to accept our situations, work on them and find a solution than running away from them.

“For example, some men divorce their wives hoping that a new woman will be better, but eventually they end up with a more problematic second wife.”

Chimoto said the song uses the parable of a man walking a long distance, who got tired and wanted to rest.

“The man found a tree and sat under it to enjoy the shade, not knowing that the shade had chitedze [buffalo beans]which caused him intorerable itching and made the rest of his journey even more problematic,” he said.

In a separate interview, Chimoto’s manager Levi Msakambewa said the song will be premiered on Times Radio on December 30 from 9 to 10pm. “We will also have time to auction the song from K10 000 and above. Those who want to support local music have to tune in and buy the song there and then,” he said.

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