They are an up-and-coming Lower Shire valley band seeking to bring out the Sena vibes yet, over the weekend they set out on a mission to cheer prisoners at Nsanje Prison.
Ulimba Vibrations on Saturday took music and fun to the prison, departing from their normal enclave at Simbeko Lodge in Nsanje, where they have curtain-raised such acts as Lucius Banda and his Zembani Band as well as The Wailing Brothers.
Band leader Nelson Mulosola, aka Bushman, said apart from music and cultural dances, the prisoners also joined a game of volleyball and were treated to a braai, with various donations made.
“We believe music and culture unites the people. What was even more touching were the stories from some ex-convicts who testified that there is life after prison if the prisoners develop a positive mind,” said Mulosola.
Named after Ulimba (the xylophone,) the music instrument endemic to the Lower Shire valley, the seven-man group is currently working on their debut album, which promises to add another name to the list of Lower Shire musicians like Lucky Stars, Joseph Tembo, Stanley Mthenga, and Lloyd ‘Agorosso’ Phaundi.
The theme for the day was: The Youth is the Future, the Future Behind Bars and it was supported by the National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice), Sustainable Rural Community Development Organisation (Surcod) and Nsanje youth and sports offices.
“We targeted the youth since over 90 percent of prisoner population is youthful,” said Mulosola.
