‘I now have courage’

The country’s Airtel Trace Music Star Season II representative Ruth Kulaisi Chikoleka is back from Nigeria where she flew Malawi’s flag during the Pan African grand finale held on June 11.

Ruth, who came back last week said she was happy to be home and that she had learned a lot during the contest.

With the organisers keeping the results under lapse until it is aired on Trace, Ruth could also not be drawn to say how she faired.

“We signed a contract not to disclose anything until its aired. So for now I would rather remain silent but I thank God that I represented the country in this year’s contest,” said Ruth.

She said that she has learnt a lot of lessons throughout the competition and that she is now raring to go.

“I have been active in singing at the church leading a praise team but now I guess I will do more. People now know me well and I am happy because the platform offered all the contestants a chance of networking,” said Ruth.

She also said that having learnt a lot, she would also want to impart the knowledge to others.

“It was a crazy journey, a real competition and I would say this year it was tough and everyone had to up their game but all in all it was fun,” she said.

Ruth then hailed people for their support throughout starting during the local contest where she triumphed a pocketed K10 million as the winner.

“Things have changed with me, I am not the same and praise be to God. I have been awakened and as I said I will be more active that I was before,” she said.

Ruth, among others, battled it out with contestants from Niger, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zambia.

The grand finale last year was held in Kenya and was won by Tanzania’s Andrew Nalimi, who went on to be mentored by US artist Akon.

The country was represented by Sam Mjura Mkandawire last year. He finished on position six during the Pan African contest.

This year the official mentor is US singer-songwriter Keri Hilson.

The grand prize comprises a mentorship programme with Hilson in Atlanta, USA.