* As joins a multitude that gathered at the unveiling of the great musician’s mausoleum at Sosola Village in Balaka
By Mary Makhiringa, Malawi News Agency (MANA)
A multitude of people from across Malawi gathered at Sosola Village in Balaka on Saturday for the unveiling of the mausoleum of the late celebrated musician and politician, Lucius Banda, popularly known as Soldier.
Chihana (4th from left) joins the family
The gathering brought together family members, friends, fellow musicians, political leaders, traditional leaders and scores of Malawians who paid tribute to the music icon, whose songs and messages touched the lives of many people in Malawi and beyond.
In an interview with MANA at Andiamo Residence after the Mass, which was led by the Bishop of Mangochi Diocese, Montfort Stima, Second Vice-President Enock Chihana described the late Lucius Banda as an icon for Malawi.
“Lucius was a close friend of mine, and we shared the same vision on how Malawi can progress,” he said. “People should learn how principled he was; he was courageous and believed in himself.”
His widow, Sunganani Banda, asked government to consider installing a dialysis unit in the Eastern Region: “Patients requiring dialysis travel long distances to access the service, and putting the service within the reach of people will ease the burden,” she said.
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Lucius Banda died on June 30, 2024, aged 53, at Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was receiving medical treatment for kidney failure — thus the widow asking the health authorities to consider investing in the dialysis unit in the Eastern Region.
Meanwhile, Zembani Band, which Lucius founded and evolved into launchpad for dozens of young Malawian musical talents, is being led by his firstborn son, Johnny Zembani Banda along with performing artist Sam Simakweli.
Simakweli hailed everyone who made contributions towards the mausoleum, saying it made the project easy: “Since the death of our legend, the band has seen a transformation,” he said.
“We are doing shows almost every week with the help and guidance of John Banda, the lead vocalist, but honestly, no one can replace Soldier, and we miss him every day.”
Chairperson of the organising committee, Allan Essau, said there are plans to open a museum near the mausoleum where the Lucius Banda Foundation will operate — and meanwhile, some local music artists are expected to hold a special music show at Balaka Stadium, where the Lucius Banda Foundation will be launched.
The show brings together various artists who will perform some of Soldier’s popular songs as a way of celebrating his contribution to Malawi’s music industry.
Lucius — the iconic singer-songwriter, music producer, and politician who served as the definitive ‘voice of the voiceless’ for over three decades — is remembered for using music to address social and national issues.
Born on August 17, 1970, in Balaka, he is celebrated as one of the most socially conscious revolutionaries in African popular music, whose musical journey started at the age of 13 when he began singing alongside his brother, Sir Paul Banda, in the legendary Alleluya Band.
He later studied music at Dorkey House in Johannesburg and he breakthrough came in 1993, when he released his solo debut album, ‘Son of a Poor Man’ that blended traditional Malawian rhythms with reggae and Afro-jazz to capture the struggles of ordinary people.
Over his career, he released 20 studio albums, whose final album, Love & Hate, was released in 2022. Famous tracks like Mabala, Nthawi, Samuel, and Dziko Lapansi served as anthems for democracy and social justice.
Lucius seamlessly translated the activism in his music into formal politics, dedicating his platform to democratic reform and accountability, which led him to join mainstream politics by contesting for a Parliamentary seat, which he won in 2004.
He only served for two years up to 2006 following a court conviction for using a forged Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE), a case that was pursued due to his strong stance against the government in Parliament.
He fearlessly introduced an impeachment motion that frequently put him at odds with the ruling government, leading to being deeply investigated for and discovered the MSCE issue.
After being released following some successful appeals, his prison stint inspired his reflective and politically charged album; ‘Cell 51 Maximum’ and reclaimed his Balaka North parliamentary seat in the May 2014 tripartite elections with a wide margin.
At the time of his passing, he served as the Presidential Advisor on Youth & Artsunder President Lazarus Chakwera.—Editing and additional reporting by Duncan Mlanjira; Maravi Express
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