He has walked a final mile back home. And, the illustrious music journey has ended. Malawi’s music heartbeat has breathed its last – it is an end of an era – but the legacy will live forever.
The country is gripped in deep grief, many a heart are broken and many people are lost. A dark cloud is hovering over the nation who has for over 30 years have been blessed with his music.
At exactly 2:30pm, an Air Malawi white plane which carried the remains of veteran iconic musician, Lucius Banda, popularly known as Soldier of the poor, touched down at Chileka Airport where thousands of people led by Malawi’s Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi came to welcome the body.
Banda died in South Africa after battling with kidney failure.
Thousands of people stood for hours in front of a cargo building waiting for the remains of Soldier to arrive.
Catholic women, putting on purple skirts and white browses were changing funeral hymns from A to B.
“Tsiku lina lilinkudza tidzipita lero Mulungu ayitana.Pansi pano padzathyoka tidzipita lero, Mulungu ayitana.”
As Choir members were singing, many people, especially women could be seen shedding tears upon seeing children of the late arriving at the venue.
Lucius Banda’s children who were clad in black attire alongside their mum, Sunganani were looking devastated and in disbelief as they walked slowly to the chairs which were prepared for them and some high profile people.
The mood completely changed when a black hearse bearing Soldier Rest in Peace number plate arrived at the place with a white casket inside.
In disbelief, the last born son to the late fall down before being surrounded by relatives, who called for an ambulance for him to be rushed to the hospital.
Prayers were made and only one speaker spoke on how people will move from the airport to Balaka, the home of soldier.
At exactly,3:40pm, a convoy led by a Malawi Police car left the airport to College of Medicine mortuary.
Thousands of people lined up in the streets with some waving at the casket, while others were taking pictures using their phones.
At Kameza roundabout, the M1 road was closed to allow the convoy which was moving on a snail pace pass through.
Caller boys, who operate at Kameza chanted one of Lucius Banda’s song like:
“Ana anga tsalani, Amayi anga tsalani Bambo anga tsalani.Tipite kumanda mukandisiye komweko inuyo mukabwelele. Samalire anawa,musamalire makolo Ambuye adzadalitsa. Muzindipemphereraso, ndizikupemphererani mpaka tidzakumana.”
Some people, especially women could be seen shaking their heads in disbelief that soldier is no more.
Jane Khongwa-Kachepatsonga, one of Lucius Banda’s loyal musical servants in the Zembani Band as a dancing queen was uncontrollably lost in grief, pain and despair.
“Soldier Lucius Banda was everything to me,” she said amid sobs.
The Convoy which was moving slowly pointed the Magalasi road all the way to Kamuzu highway until it reached College of Medicine mortuary.
They only spent a few minutes at COM before Soldier left Blantyre for good on his way to his home district of Balaka where he will be laid to rest six feet under the ground on Thursday in Sosola Village.
“Soldier Lucius Banda was everything to me.”
Jane Khongwa – Kachepatsonga
Zembani Band dancing Queen.
