Seasoned musician’s film echoes community resilience

Seasoned musician Ben Mankhamba who is also Village Head Chingalire will see his story being told through a film alongside two others – Ansiima Casinga Rolande from Democractic Republic of Congo and Abigail Hualinga from Ecuador.

Mankhamba who has used his artistry to build Chingalire into a hub of different activities as part of promoting and preserving culture as well as selling the country to the world, said yesterday he was happy that the world was setting sights on his works.

“This is long overdue, there are things that we do that we feel the world is not watching but here we are my story is out there,” he said.

Mankhamba’s story is being told through ‘Stories of Resilience and Change’ in three short films, three stories and three workshops.

“These films will be screened online and people can watch free of charge but they need to register,” he said.

Mankhamba’s film which talks about the challenges that rural communities face and explains how he and the village community are diversifying livelihoods through environmental and resource protection, education, arts and culture and tourism, will screen on November 19 2026.

The other films will screen on November 4 2026 and December 1 2026.

“After the online screenings, next year I will be travelling to Germany for workshops and other discussions following this film,” Mankhamba famed for tracks such as ‘Msampha’ and ‘Moyo Wamtauni’, said.

The programme being spearheaded by several players including Friends of Malawi in Germany says although there are many crises in the world, there are also many inspiring stories of resilience and change.

In a statement, the players say that as part of the ‘Stories of Change: Building Resilience, Hope and Action for a Just World’, project, they have produced three short films portraying people and local communities who are creating hope and shaping change despite local and global crises.

It says that each of the three online workshops outlined will screen the films followed by a conversation with the actors about the challenges and crises impacting their lives, how resilience emerges and how change becomes possible.