By Burnett Munthali
President Arthur Peter Mutharika and the First Lady, Prof. Gertrude Mutharika, are profoundly heartbroken by the news of the horrific road accident that claimed the lives of five talented young men, members of the Hive Band, who were part of Eli Njuchi’s team.
The five musicians, Elivacy Matamando Muyaba, Wilfred Kupengule Jnr, Vincent Mkwinda, McFarlen Banda, and Raphael Chitsonga, were instrumental figures in Malawi’s music industry, and their passing is a devastating blow to the nation.
These young men were not just musicians, but passionate artists who helped shape the soul of Malawi’s music scene, leaving a void in the country’s cultural fabric that will be hard to fill.
The tragedy is made even more poignant by the fact that they were lost while traveling to bring joy to others at an end-of-year concert in Lilongwe, a reminder of their dedication to their craft.
In this hour of darkness, the President and the First Lady extend their thoughts and prayers to the bereaved families, acknowledging the immense pain and sorrow they must be feeling.
As a gesture of national mourning, the Government will cover all funeral expenses, ensuring these sons of Malawi are laid to rest with dignity, a small comfort in the face of such a great loss.
The President and the First Lady’s message is a testament to the impact these five young musicians had on the nation, and a reminder of the power of music to bring people together and transcend sorrow.
