Joseph Nkasa in twofold debut, lights up inaugural fest

Musician Phungu Joseph Nkasa made history on Saturday when he starred at Apollo Auditorium in Blantyre for the first time and also debuted at the inaugural Mangolongondo Kwacha Music Festival.

Backed by Visekese Band, Nkasa whose entry attracted huge cheers went on to tell the audience that it was his first time to perform in front of a diverse audience that jived to his music.

“I am excited because I am performing in front of *azungu *(white people),” he said.

There were doubts in the early hours that the artist would not make it but he appeared at the festival led by actor and contemporary dancer Rhoberto Magasa.

He seemed to have not done enough drill with the band but he still showed glimpses of Phungu when he went non-stop with his songs starting off with ‘Padiwa’.

Nkasa went gospel in some moments dishing out songs such as ‘Chikondano’.

He also remembered Soldier Lucius Banda when he served some of his songs which included ‘Kheliwe’ before he left the stage for Visekese Band which closed the curtain close to midnight.

The festival, which had other activations on the day in other places before the pinnacle at Apollo Auditorium, apart from Nkasa also brought the sounds of legendary musician Giddes Chalamanda, who was backed by his son and nephew.

Popularly known as Agidde, the artist, who played his banjo, proved that he is the man of the people when the audience cheered him on at the end of his short set.

At 95-years old, Agidde is still strong but his voice is waning as he cannot attempt the high pitches.

Silvia Hesse from Germany who was in attendance alongside other Germans, who were joined by officials from Blantyre City Council in a Hannover and Blantyre over 60 years friendship as twin cities, said Agidde’s performance reminded her of his exploits in Germany in 2010.

Agidde, Agorosso, who also performed at the festival and Ben Mankhamba, performed in Germany courtesy of Friends of Malawi in Germany led by Hesse.

Magasa admitted they run the festival on a shoe-string budget and nearly cancelled it but other players supported him.

“We hope to have a huge budget next year but being the first outing, we have showed the uniqueness of this festival,” he said.

Power outage delayed the festival but it went on with the audience relishing performances from Young Stones, son to fallen icon Stonald Lungu, Mizu Vintage, Mangochi-based Chambo Band, Dikamawoko Arts and Tinjoye Band.