Montag, 21. Juni 2010 um 9:32 Uhr

johannes schäfer weltwärts malawi afrika blog jacaranda pupils shine on cold friday

Jacaranda pupils shine on cold Friday

It was cold on Friday night in Blantyre but this did not keep away some five hundred plus fans from enjoying a music explosion organized by Jacaranda Foundation at French Cultural Center (FCC).

Jacaranda school pupils were the happiest, firstly because they enjoyed music live from some of the country’s renowned musicians and secondly they have received visitors from Shanghai American School in China.

The music explosion aimed at raising funds for the Jacaranda School for Orphans was scheduled to start at 5.30pm but it delayed for almost one hour. Starting on a low note, the music concert whose master of ceremonies was Sista Faya, the audience had a surprise package, enjoying ballet from a female student from China. Fans had also another surprise package sampling a Pushpanjali dance from India done by 11 year old Vinita Kamlesh and Lowenira Inrabalan and nine year old Kaavya Suri.

Jacaranda School Band also performed with the dancing team impressing the audience but it took sometime for them to take to the dance floor. Legendary musician Snowden Ibbu took the fans down memory lane playing a renowned song “Chibale”. Dreadlocked Chiozo, real name Jimmy Andersen, playing solo, played the guitar with much ease however, he had the audience singing along after he offered Bob Marley’s “One Love”.

Then came Agolosso providing real traditional stuff and he dished two songs “Kulowa Kufa Ayi” and “Malongelo”. Just as fans thought they were done with reggae, Lilongwe based musician Sally Nyundo jumped on stage and he wowed fans performing several anthems but it was “Ras Amadya Nzimbe”, which dominated the proceedings.

Shanghai American School Band also performed but it was its next performance which attracted people’s attention. This was more like a competition between 15 year old Benjamin Xiong who showed the audience his skills on a lead guitar and 15 year old Xiang Yi Lan who manned the keyboard and a harp. At the end of their battle fans gave them a standing ovation appreciating the talent they displayed.

Backed by Impact Sounds Band other musicians who performed were Tigris real name Angella Mizinga who also performed with Young Kay in the song “Anankabango”. Young Kay alongside Maskal also treated the audience to the song “Kuwalakwako Mkazi”. Marco Sadik famed for the song “Linda”, also performed opening with a new song which he did with Jacaranda pupils before shifting to renowned tracks.

Skeffa Chimoto was the last to perform and he had a tough task of taking the audience to another level and he managed to do that opening his account with the song “Nabola Moyo”. He went on to dish other songs including “Bwenzi Langa”, before he bowed out as fans still longed for more.

Special guest Aaron Sangala who was expected to perform did not show up but one of the organizers said he was busy and hence could not make it.

During the concert which was sponsored by among others International Commercial Bank Limited, Shanghai American School, Aqua Pure, Arkay Plastics and FCC, Jacaranda also conducted a raffle draw which saw some people walking away with various prizes.

One concert goer said: “I enjoyed the night because there was both music and dance. For the first time I watched ballet live and I was impressed.” Jacaranda Director Luc Deschamps hailed the audience for their support.

Jacaranda situated in Chigumula provides free education to 400 orphans in Malawi. It was founded by Marie Da Silva who was also present at the concert.

Aus: The Daily Times, Malawi; Sam Banda Jnr; 21. Juni 2010

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