After being out of the stage for a long time due to illness, legendary musician Sir Paul Banda on Sunday afternoon managed to perform for a short time at a show at Robins Park in Blantyre.
The singer and guitarist, who has trained lots of musicians in the country, dished out two songs namely ‘Zonse Nzabwino’ and ‘Ndidzatamanda Ambuye’.
Organised by God Is My Answer (Godima), a new music company that seeks to uplift gospel music in the country, the concert, also saw him being decorated with a trophy and K1 million for his immense contribution to the growth of music in the country.
Hosted by poet Kenneth Khondiwa, not many people turned up for the event but those who came relished it having been treated to a number of performances from budding acts, who starred using CDs, before Shammah Vocalz stepped in with a band.
Although technical hitches let him down, Shammah Vocals showed his flair serving the audience songs such as ‘My Zoe’, before he paved the way for Stevie Wazisomo Muliya, who dished out songs such as ‘Chisomo Chake Nchokwanira’ and ‘Odala’.
Sir Paul jumped on stage after Muliya, holding his already tuned guitar as has been his tradition.
He went straight to greeting the audience starting off with a popular church slogan of ‘Alleluya’ and then going on to say ‘Yesu ndi Wabwino’ (Jesus is good all the time).
The musician is now based in Blantyre, having moved from Balaka to be closer to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital where he goes twice a week for dialysis to remove bad things from the body following kidney problems.
“When we wake up every morning, let us always thank God for the gift of life. At the moment as a country we are in mourning because we have lost several people,” he said.
The renowned musician said he never knew that he would make it this year, having been ill.
“I never knew that today I would manage to perform and, so, I am thankful to God. In everything let us thank God,” Sir Paul said before the performance.
He started off with ‘Ndidzatamanda Ambuye’
The two songs he offered seemed not enough for the audience that longed for more but he could not go beyond, before he went on to change his clothes putting on a gown to receive K1 million and trophy.
Presenting the K1 million and a trophy, guest of honour Jai Banda, popularly known as Mr Entertainer, dared the country to start honouring its creatives while they are still alive.
“We have that tendency as a country of speaking well about artists when they are gone, let us honour them now.
“I would like to thank Godima for this gesture,” the veteran promoter said.
Godima chairperson Bhima Ndalama said the country should watch the space for more events.
“Sir Paul Banda has done so much to the country and this is why we have honoured him. We are also in the process of bringing music awards,” Ndalama said.
Ndirande Anglican Voices, which is set to launch their seventh album Ndimamvetsera Kumwamba later this month in Mzuzu, having already done it in Blantyre and Lilongwe, closed the curtain for the event.
