Zathu Band lights up Aids conference

Malawi’s up-and-coming youthful band Zathu, were the highlight of the opening ceremony of the Global Village, one of the key aspects of the International  Aids Conference 2018.

The three boys and three girls were the first artists to perform during the Sunday night event at the Amsterdam Rai.

When the master of ceremony introduced the band as coming from Malawi, a large part of the audience seemed surprised as little is known about the group on the international scene.

However, as soon as they jumped on stage, the energy from the six and the rhythm blasting from the loud speakers was irresistible.

The audience roared into a thunderous applause.

Amid more screams and handclapping, the band danced with so much energy to the sounds of Malawi that resonated with over 500 delegates that attended the opening ceremony.

Throughout their two songs, the team roared with so much energy as they sung their hearts out to their hit songs Zimaterezitere and Upange Zako.

In an interview, the band members said they were excited with their performance at the Aids 2018 conference.

“It was so amazing to perform at such a big stage, we did well for ourselves and Malawi,” said a member, Jonathan Pangani alias JP.

The band was invited for performances according to another member, Theresa Dzanjalimodzi, who plays Mphatso.

“Pepfar is our [Girl Effect] partner where we performed at a satellite session by them apart from at the Global Village,” she said.

Paul Kachala added:  “Our music is based on few themes like Boy-Girl stereotyping, friendships and health among other general issues that youths in Malawi go through.”

Established slightly over a year ago, the band is enjoying some international attention which is exciting to the youngsters.

It was born out of Malawian culture and creates ‘the new sound of Malawi’.