By Chisomo Phiri
The producer of the popular Ngwazi and Time Out brands,Shamboko Beverages, has sponsored 2025 UMP Festival with K10 million.
The official cheque handover ceremony took place on Monday in Lilongwe.
In an interview with journalists,Shamboko Beverages Business Development Manager, Gracious Mwandwanga, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to promoting local culture through the arts.
“As Shamboko Beverages, we take pride in supporting local arts and promoting Malawian culture.
“We believe in the quality of our locally made products, and we encourage Malawians to continue supporting us by purchasing our beverages from outlets across the country,” he said.
On her part,UMP Festival Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Aisha De Silva, expressed gratitude for the support, describing the partnership as a testament to the festival’s growing influence in Malawi’s cultural and creative industries.
“We are grateful to Shamboko Beverages for believing in the UMP vision and supporting Malawi’s biggest platform for cultural expression.
“Their contribution will go a long way in elevating the festival experience for artists, fans, and communities.
“We also invite other forward-looking brands and institutions to join us in this journey of celebrating and investing in African creativity,” said De Silva.
The 2025 UMP Festival is scheduled to run from October 21 to 27 at Cape Maclear on Lake Malawi.
The week-long event will feature an exciting blend of music performances both local and international alongside dance, film, fashion, a beauty pageant, sports, spoken word, theatre, stand-up comedy, art exhibitions, and community engagement activities.
