Lilongwe-based Madalitso Band leaves the country today for Sauti Za Busara Festival in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Sauti Za Busara, a Swahili word meaning Sounds of Wisdom, is one of the top festivals in Africa and attracts artists from different countries.
Madalitso Band is the only group from Malawi which will be performing at the festival. South Africa will be represented by Freshly ground.
The festival runs from February 9 through to February 12.
Madalitso Band is made up of lead vocalist and Babatoni player Yobu Maligwa and guitarist and foot drum player Joseph Kalekeni.
However, the two recently sounded an SOS, saying they needed K180, 000 to travel to the festival.
Manager Emmanuel Kamwenje said on Monday that things had fallen into place for the group and all was well.
“The group is leaving on Tuesday (today) and will arrive in Tanzania [mainland] on Wednesday before proceeding to Zanzibar. It’s been tough to get support but we thank those who came up with help,” Kamwenje said.
He also thanked guitarist and musician Faith Mussa for supporting them and also helping in raising funds through social media.
“Faith Mussa contributed some money and also raised about K80,000 through the social media and he has given us the money. Some people are yet to honour their pledges,” Kamwenje said.
Faith, who has soared with his music and recently launched his new song ‘Mdidi’, said the group has talent and that it was important for them to be supported.
Madalitso Band will perform on February 11 and 12 on the main stage.
Meanwhile, Kamwenje has revealed that BBC World Service Music Series – Global Beats– will interview Madalitso Band at the festival after being impressed by their music, which they uploaded on Youtube.
The duo of Maligwa and Kalekeni met in 2007 and Kamwenje met them outside a shopping centre where they were performing.
Madalitso Band has an album, Fumbi La Nyemba, to its credit.
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