“Music against Malaria ready for debut festival”

October 10, 2019.

Organisers of Music against Malaria Festival, which debuts on October 26 2019 at College of Medicine Complex in Blantyre, have said all is set for the inaugural event which is aimed at raising funds for Chikwawa District Hospital’s Pediatric A and E Ward.

The project to refurbish Chikwawa District Hospital’s A and E Ward has a budget of K19 million with about K9 million already raised with the latest being a $5,000 donation from Brazilian filmmaker Iara Lee.

“As Music against Malaria, we are always committed and transparent in all our activities and this is why we have earned trust from the different partners. With the money we have generated so far, we have already purchased equipment through Thofu Investments, who have also already donated a trolley and also committed to helping in servicing the equipment,” musician Code Sangala, who is one of the co-founders of Music against Malaria, said during a press conference at Jacaranda Cultural Centre (JCC) in Blantyre Wednesday.

The singer and guitarist, who is set to perform at the festival, said the idea to create the Music against Malaria was hatched when he was in the Big Brother Africa (BBA) House and that he decided to push it.

Annemarie Quinn, who is a musician from United Kingdom but based in Malawi, and is also co-founder of the Music against Malaria, said people will experience the best during the festival and that all the artists on the line-up have confirmed their participation.

“We are ready. It is a one-day festival which starts at 6pm until midnight. It is free entry for kids under 15 years but K15,000 for advance tickets and K20,000 on the door. All the funds raised will go to Chikwawa District Hospital,” Annemarie said.

Having held several fundraising shows including an exhibition where they partnered Art Malawi in Malaria Art Stories exhibition, Annemarie said the festival was the main fundraiser.

“We are doing it one-day this year but we might grow it next year. For now, we just want to do it to the best,” she said.

Annemarie hailed partners such as Total Malawi, Toyota Malawi, Farming and Engineering Services and Thofu Investments among others, for their support.

Annemarie, who is set to perform, said apart from making links with Art Malawi which will also exhibit some of the malaria stories works during the festival, they have also partnered schools in the United Kingdom which have been raising funds for the project.

“Again, Code will be performing in United States of America in December. We have lots of great interest not only in Malawi but outside Malawi as well,” she said.

Lee, who is set to screen her movie during the European Film Festival at JCC on Saturday said she decided to make a little donation after she was impressed with the project.

Chikwawa District Hospital medical officer, Wamaka Msopole, hailed Music against Malaria for the project.

“On the challenges, malaria is number one cause for death in Chikwawa District and most of the deaths occur in children under five. Government is supporting a lot but still more there are some challenges that we looked at with Music against Malaria,” Msopole said.

The festival, which is also part of promoting and preserving the country’s culture through music, will feature acts such as Lulu, Madalitso Band and The Daughters Band from Lilongwe, Lusubilo Band from Karonga, Waliko Makhala, Agorosso and a Sounds of Malawi showcase featuring among others, Wyndham Chechamba, Goma Nyondo, Kukana Kuba Kasambwe Brothers, Eunice Kadzuwa Mhango, Chichiri Cultural Troupe and Dikamawoko Cultural Troupe.