By Jimmy Chazama
As the country remembered one of the freedom fighters, John Chilembwe on Wednesday, artists played their role in telling his story to the world through their gifts such as music, film, poetry and visual art.
Chilembwe, a Baptist pastor, educator and revolutionary, who trained as a minister in United States of America (USA), was an early figure in the resistance to colonialism in Nyasaland now Malawi, opposing both the treatment of Africans working in agriculture on European-owned plantations and the colonial government’s failure to promote the social and political advancement of Africans.
Balaka-based visual artist Madalitso Ziwaoh said yesterday that art is powerful and that it plays a huge role in preserving history.
Ziwaoh has used his artistry to paint an artwork of Chilembwe as one of the country’s heroes.
“I have created several artworks of the country’s heroes and John Chilembwe is there. The freedom we are enjoying today is because of these heroes, they fought for it. Looking back, I am reminded that we must respect those who fought for our freedom,” he said.
Seasoned writer Rhoda Zulu who crafted two poems, ‘Tikumbukire Chilembwe,’ and ‘Zimatha Chilembwe’ praises Chilembwe’s contributions to Malawi.
In her verses, Zulu asks thought-provoking questions as to whether the freedom that Chilembwe and others fought for is there today.
“I wrote these poems to remind Malawians that the freedom we are enjoying today was not free. We must honour those who fought for our freedom and continue working towards a brighter future for our nation,” she said.
Award winning filmmaker Shemu Joyah last year put on the market a short film titled Strike A Blow and Die, which is a rough cut of a full feature film which is on the pipeline.
Joyah’s film seeks to preserve Chilembwe’s legacy and promote social justice.
Musicians have also produced songs detailing Chilembwe’s story and they include Vic Marley and Mjura Mkandawire, who stitched the ‘Kunali John Chilembwe’ anthem.
Professor Samson Kambalu fashioned a statue of John Chilembwe that stood at London’s historic Trafalgar Square in 2022. There is also a radio play titled Adaferanji which has continued to beautifully tell the story of Chilembwe every year.
