There is something special of international quality that is coming out of the Warm Heart of Africa, Malawi, that Malawian ‘Bululu neighbours’, Zambians are enjoying so much.
That something is ultra-magical and comes from the deep ends of the heart of Malawi’s treasured endowment, the bright shining stars from the Cape of Lake Malawi – a carefully rich alcoholic liquid refreshment – CapeStars.
Just like the natives and other nationalities in Africa and overseas, Zambians love CapeStars to the bone, that every time they get a chance to imbibe it, they go beyond the ordinary.
“Kamowa ka ku Malawi aka kali che mushe maningi,” they chorused as toast to Malawi’s home-brewed beverage.
Revelers in Lusaka, Zambia had the rare chance to sample the Malawian produced CapeStars alcoholic spirits over the Easter period.
HS Winehouse Beverages and Hospitality, who are makers of the alcoholic spirits visited Lusaka as part of their promotional initiatives to introduce their brand in the neighbouring country.
During the two-day visit, the company conducted several activations and engaged a number of clubs and pubs on the CapeStars spirits such as Lusaka Golf Club, Grand Daddy’s, Chicago, Lusaka Club, Bo Jangles, Black and Cube.
But the climax of the engagement was on Saturday night when the Lusaka Club management hosted the Malawian team to a reception where Zambian Afro-jazz singer James Sakala was performing.
Sakala provided the musical experience as the patrons danced to the CapeStars feeling. Spotting an animal skin made ngoni head cap, Sakala thrilled with his guitar playing and vocal masterly.
Each song he performed was welcomed by resounding jeers. The patrons, which comprised Malawians, Zambians, Zaireans and Zimbabweans could not help but join him on the dancing arena.
After he wrapped up his two-hour music delivery, which included compositions such as Nilandireni and Listen to Me, Sakala signed o/ stage to a huge applause.
Even then, the CapeStars party went on for three more hours.
A member of the Lusaka Club Sekelani Banda said it is important that as Africans we should start looking at what we can produce amongst ourselves than just looking up to western products.
He saluted the CapeStars team for producing a product of high export quality.
“Like I said, we look to make linkages, businesses but most importantly we should look to ourselves and the products that are being made here in Africa especially in Malawi. This is because Malawi and Zambia have very close relations,” he said.
HS Winehouse Beverages and Hospitality chairman Wilkins Mijiga said the welcome that the hosts gave them and their product was beyond their expectation.
He said the gesture is an encouragement on their quest to contribute to export products in Malawi.
Mijiga said: “The interactions we had throughout pointed to how much the Zambians are ready to embrace the product.”
All the top joints we visited gave us a nod and immediately demanded that we start supplying them. The 5rst consignment of CapeStars should be in Lusaka in two weeks.
”During the activations, the revelers had the chance to taste the three brands of CapeStars Vodka, Gin and Brandy under its two variants of Camaradas and Frenzo.
“The interactions we had throughout pointed to how much the Zambians are ready to embrace the product.”
Wilkins Mijiga
HS Winehouse Beverages and Hospitality chairman