MUM is broke, says president

The Music Union of Malawi (MUM) is facing financial problems, forcing its leadership to embark on national fundraising music shows to raise money for financing its operations.

The music body’s president, the Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango, said the shows will start in Mzuzu at Victoria Temple Hall on Sunday.

He said artists registered by the organisation from the Northern Region, in addition to those from other regions such as Maggie Mangani, Ethel Kamwendo Banda and Favoured Martha will perform at the show.

“We are facing financial challenges. We are failing to operate properly due to financial constraints even in our regional offices. We have, therefore, decided to organise these shows so that we should raise funds that will enable the body to operate. We have started with Mzuzu then will go to Central Region. All artists in the Northern Region have been invited to perform during this event. We have also incorporated other artists from other regions, including Ethel Kamwendo to spice the event,” said Mhango.

The MUM president said the association will use the same events to civic educate the populace on the evils of piracy which is currently affecting artists adversely.

“We want to use the same occasion in sensitising people on the evils of piracy. It is high time we did that because artists have been robbed of their talent through this malpractice. As a new executive, we have now set high strategies to stop that and this is the first action,” he said.

Mhango further revealed that the shows will also be used as a celebrating forum for the body’s new elected leaders from various chapters.

Apart from music performances, Mhango said the event will also incorporate poetry recitals.

“We have also incorporate poetry, apart from live music performances just to add something different from the usual set-up,” he said.