Murmures

The Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Craft in the Ministry of Information, Tourism and Culture has selected Lilongwe based musician Lawi to represent Malawi in the All Africa Song contest.

Both Lawi, famed for the hit ‘Amaona kuchedwa’, and Mum President, Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango, confirmed the development in an interview on Tuesday saying the musician has since started stitching the contest song which has to be ready soon.

“This is exciting and what a way to start the year. I am happy to have been selected,” he said.

“I sat down with Mum and the Department of Arts and Craft yesterday (Monday). They were briefing me on the general requirements. Actually the communication to participate in the competition came a long time ago; thus we are running late but I have started the work.”

Lawi was also nominated for the All Africa Music Awards (Afrima) Awards last year for his ‘Whistling song’ but did not win the award.

While confirming Lawi’s selection, Mum President Mhango said the All Africa Song contest was an initiative of the African Union (AU) in collaboration with the Coca- Cola Company and the initiative will also be supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

“Each country is supposed to have one entry and the invitation has come through Mum and the ministry through the department of arts and craft. After various discussions we decided to select Lawi to represent the nation in the competition,” said Mhango.

He said they met the musician to map the way forward for the competition and guide him, adding that the musician is expected to produce a fresh song which he added will be sent to the organisers in video format.

“The song will be recorded and then beamed in Africa after which people will start voting. So at some point we will ask people in Malawi to start voting for the song,” said Mhango.

“This is not an easy competition. We will have several songs being composed and then one will have to come out top. The song needs to promote culture, have a relevant message to Africa and has to tackle various issues affecting the African continent as a whole,” said Mhango.