Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Brian Itai
Malawi to celebrate its Intangible Cultural Heritage
Malawi, through the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture has organised the first Ludo Diversity of Malawi Festival as one way of promoting the Intangible Cultural Heritage. According to the ministry, the festival aims to protect, preserve and promote knowledge passed on from generation to generation by popularising the tradition games such as Phada, Ndado, Ntchuwa, Nguli, Nsikwa, Kamgolosale, Fulaye, Fish-fish, Nthonga/Kabeza and Mbalika. One of the games to be played: Bawo.
StakeOut, Amaryllis hotel brings Eleve event
StakeOut Bar in collaboration with Amaryllis Hotel will on November 7 stage the first edition of their newly introduced lifestyle and entertainment platform Eleve at the hotel’s Splash Rooftop Restaurant. The organisers said the concept of the event was inspired by 2013 Hollywood romantic drama film The Great Gatsby.
Stage antic backfires as Joe Ikon escapes injury
Madness Entertainment, the management firm for Afro-piano artist Joe Ikon, has played down the injury the artist suffered at Moneymen ground in Blantyre after an antic gone wrong during his performance on Saturday. In the aftermath, Joe Ikon twisted his ankle after he threw himself in the crowd and landed badly as he did one of his stage antics that characterises his live performances. The Nkhawa Ndilibe composer is seen being helped back on stage by bouncers in a video that has gone viral.
Chris Mbendera to be buried today
Actor-cum-musician Chris Mbendera, who died on Wednesday, will be buried today at his home village Mlambala in Traditional Authority Bvumbwe in Thyolo District. According to a close family friend Arthur Galanzi, Mbendera died at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre where he was being treated for cancer. Died on Wednesday: Mbendera. | Mbendera family “He was diagonised with the condition over a year ago and he was undergoing treatment since then.
Joe Ikon lauds K14 million boost
Afro-piano artist Joe Ikon says it is encouraging to see individuals taking interest in supporting local creatives. The artist said this in reaction to the K14 million donation that he has received from politician Vitumbiko Mumba for his Mwana wa Atate Concert slated for Money men ground in Blantyre on Saturday. Mumba (R) and Joe Ikon. | Courtesy of Joe Ikon “I am grateful and feeling motivated to receive such support. It is not every day that you receive support from people of his calibre.
African Achievement Awards to honour Chacha
The African Achievement Awards 2026 will honour Malawian philanthropist Chawezi ‘Chacha’ Banda during a ceremony slated for December 13. The awards will take place at the Hilton Seattle Airport Conference Centre in SeaTac, Washington State, USA and will bring together personalities, international guests, community leaders, entertainers and representatives from the African diaspora. Chacha: I am humbled and honoured.
2 festivals, 1 weekend
Fun-seekers are spoilt for choice this weekend with two big music festivals happening about 250 kilometres apart. In Mangochi, the Sand Music Festival is set to make a comeback on the shores of Lake Malawi after a two-year break, while in Lilongwe, the Kumbali Live concert is also on the cards. Makhazi performing during a previous SandFest.
Power outages fail to spoil Namadingo, Praise Umali gig
Power outage forced organisers of The Doc Live concert at Scalla’s Café in Blantyre to bank on generators to power the performances of Afro-soul artist Praise Umali and fan-favourite Namadingo who kept patrons on their seat edges. On a fun-filled day, which started with live screenings of English Premier League football matches from as early as 1:30pm, fun-seekers had little to worry about. Namadingo captured on stage.
Fuel scarcity’s threat to fun
Event promoters and artist managers have rued the strain the situation has caused on their planning. Artist and events manager Wisdom Phanga said many people view entertainment as a luxury and those who have access to fuel would rather reserve it for something they consider important instead of travelling to attend events. “Those that rely on taxis and motorcycles find it expensive to patronise events as the rates are higher than normal.
Tumaini Festival faces uncertainty over funds
Event curators for the Tumaini Festival, unique refugee camp show, have postponed the event citing a hostile funding environment. The organisers said being a free entry festival, the event depends on grants, donations and support from its partners. According to a statement from the organisers, funding has become more limited and uncertain, making it impossible for them to sustain the festival at the scale and quality their community deserves.
Castel Malawi unveils double promo
Castel Malawi Limited has unveiled two nationwide initiatives called Tikwere under the Crown Promotion and Tikwere ndi Otsika. Under the arrangement, the alcoholic beverage producers have reduced prices of their products including Kuche Kuche, Carlsberg Green, Chill, Castel, 330ml Malawi Gin, Pomme Breeze, Doppel, Sapitwa and Carlsberg Special.
Mawhoo show on, say organisers
South African amapiano hotshot Mawhoo is set to perform at Scalla’s Café in Blantyre on October 16 in a show organised by Kuwala Events. Kuwala Events coordinator Newton Chikakuda in an interview yesterday said that music lovers should brace for a good music experience during the show. “Mawhoo is one of the most trending artists from Africa, an amazimg performer and she has just released an album a few weeks ago. So people should expect a good time filled with fun and good vibes,” he said.
New MultiChoice Malawi CEO targets growth
MultiChoice Malawi new chief executive officer (CEO) Mvuzo Dzingwa says his target is to drive a commercially viable business so that they achieve sustainable growth. He said this when he was being unveiled on Thursday during an event at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre which also coincided with MultiChoice Group’s 30-year anniversary. Dzingwa: The journey has been exciting.
The Sunday Soirée sets new trends
Since 2023, the Sunday Soiree has established itself as a unique music entertainment platform built around a firm belief in elegance and artistic excellence. The Sunday Soiree went a notch higher when it played the first Afro-house orchestra at Umodzi Park in Lilongwe, dubbed the Sunday Soirée AU-RCHEST-RA. The event placed a full live orchestra band, vocalists, instrumentallists and DJs on one stage to perform Malawian music arranged for symphonic scale. Lord Timmy and Nathaniel Chakuchalu.
Must commits to AI use in the creative space
Malawi University of Science and Technology (Must) Bingu School of Culture and Heritage executive dean Dr Atikonda Mtenje-Mkochi says there is need to decolonise the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creative space to make it more acceptable and contextualised for its use. She made the remarks on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the fourth edition of Must’s Cultural and Research Innovation Festival at its Ndata Campus in Thyolo District on Thursday.
Tech faces culture at Must’s festival
Technology is set to coexist with culture at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (Must) fourth edition of the annual Cultural and Research Innovation Festival at its Ndata Campus, Thyolo District.
Reliving the old times
Experiences evoke both good and bad memories. This seems true about the recently established Old Skul Reunion entertainment platform which is rekindling memories of old times in terms of lifestyle, music, dressing and the general showbiz culture. During the two shows that the Old Skul Reunion crew staged earlier in Blantyre and Lilongwe on Saturday, the platform has attempted to refresh people’s memories in many different ways beyond music.
Is Ril B still Mwini Zinthu?
Circa 2016, the music scene was greeted by a new voice and sound which at the time looked destined to write a new chapter of Malawian music. That voice was none other than Ril B, who had stormed the music landscape courtesy of his chart-topping single Mwini Zinthu featuring Blaze. Ril B: There’s still a lot I want to achieve. | Courtesy of Ril B The clubs were jiving to the groove of the song and the entertainment events had found a theme song to colour their moments.
Navicha redeems herself in wonder fashion creation
After facing criticism due to her fashion outfits at the ongoing Miss World pageant, Malawi’s representative Ireen Navicha on Wednesday night redeemed herself courtesy of her Malawi-linked dress. Navicha caught the eye of the audience during the Dances of the World event in Vietnam, donning a local design by H Clothing bearing symbols of a crown and the rising sun on the chest, Lake Malawi in the middle of the skirt and Mulanje Mountain on the sides. Navicha wearing her dress.
Musicians drilled in copyright, intellectual property rights
Musician and copyright training specialist Khama Khwiliro has launched an initiative to equip artists with knowledge and practical information on copyright and intellectual rights . The engagements are under a national project dubbed ‘Enhancing copyright awareness and compliance through community trainings and creative outreach, with funding from the Copyright Fund. Khwiliro during the training.
Lucius’ mausoleum to be unveiled tomorrow
The mausoleum of fallen legendary contemporary musician ‘Soldier’ Lucius Banda will be unveiled tomorrow at his resting place in Sosola Village, Balaka. According to a press statement from the artist’s family, the mausoleum seeks to preserve Banda’s story. whose influence extended beyond music and honour the life and legacy of one of Malawi’s music icons. His mausoleum to be unveiled tomorrow: Banda.
Wokomaatani rhymes again
Seasoned Chinyanja poetry giant Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga has produced an anthology which is expected to excite his fans like his previous works. Here is an artist who is intentional in every verse attributed to his name. Throughout his career, he has made Chichewa (Chinyanja as he prefers calling it) poetry his main stead. Malunga (L): I now have loyal supporters. | Nation He has done it over and over again.
Designer Mabel in a masquerade splash
Europe-based Malawian fashion designer Mabel Khonje is set to splash about K120 million during her private party slated for Bingu International Convention Centre (Bingu International Convention Centre (Bicc) tomorrow. In an interview, she said the party, which will be hosted under the masquerade theme, will include a three course dinner, violin and piano showcases before escalating into the main event. Doll Mabel: The aim is to celebrate together with family.
How Lulu remembers his mentor ‘Soldier’
Throughout Lucius ‘Soldier’ Banda’s music career, one thing that stood out on his array of attributes, was his ability to compose instant tribute songs for fellow artists, politicians or any other worthwhile public figures. The legendary artist had the knack of producing such tribute songs with unbelievable speed. In 2006, ‘Soldier’ released a tribute song for Alliance for Democracy founder and president Chakufwa Thom Chihana a day after his death.
McKnight mesmerises after earlier setbacks
It was billed as the Sunset in the Warm Heart Concert. The expectation was that as the sun would be setting on the picturesque Game Haven expansive field in Bvumbwe, Thyolo District, people would be enjoying beautiful music melodies. But it was never meant to be. The programme schedule indicated 6pm as the starting time for performances and a larger part of the audience took to their seats before the stated time. McKnight captured on stage.
Lawi Group determined to right earlier wrong
Lawi Group, an entertainment promotion company, is set to host America’s R&B music guru Brian McKnight at Game Haven in Bvumbwe, Thyolo District tomorrow. Through the concert, the company will hope to recover f rom the disappointment suffered two years ago when soukous star Awilo Longomba failed to show up at the eleventh hour. Our News Analyst BRIAN ITAI caught up with Lawi Group director Lawi, rewal name Francis Phiri, to hear his thoughts about the upcoming Sunset in the WArm Heart Concert.
SandFest unveils CapeStars as official 2026 sponsor
he 2026 Sand Music Festival (SandFest) has unveiled HS Winehouse Hospitality and Beverage company, through its alcoholic spirits brand CapeStars, as the official platinum sponsor for the entertainment fiesta. CapeStars general manager Darlingtone Ndasauka said in an interview that as a brand built on socialisation and bringing people together, they want to create a space where Malawians and tourists can unwind, connect and engage in positive conversations.
‘16 Barz: King of Bawo’ to screen in the USA
Malawian local film production 16 Barz: King of Bawo is among movies to screen at the inaugural Iowa African Film Festival 2026 in the United States of America in August. The film will show during the festival’s in-person programme at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa on August 6 and 7. It will also be made available to global audiences through official digital streaming platforms.
Ku Mingoli Bash back with changes
Ku Mingoli Bash returns on Saturday at Aero Lounge in Lilongwe after several flip-flops encountered by event management company Sound Addicts Live, including an announcement of the discontinuation the event, . In March this year, Sound Addicts Live said they had decided to step away from the high-scale festival space in light of the evolving strategic priorities the company was undergoing, a move that shocked many entertainment enthusiasts.
Busy Signal renews Malawian ties
Jamaican reggae-dancehall artist Busy Signal has over the years established close ties with Malawi having twice performed in the country. The Dreams of Brighter Days hit-maker made his first bow in 2016 when he headlined the Sand Music Festival at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach in Salima before he returned to the event in a similar headliner role held at Kambiri Lodge also in Salima in 2022.
Namadingo leads drive to fund Malawians’ return
Musician Namadingo has launched a campaign to raise funds for the repatriation of Malawians from South Africa currently being held at Old Drive-In camp in Durban. The artist said he targets to raise K1 billion from the initiative, which is being co-coordinated by Gold Mountain Media company owned by music producer Tapps Bandawe.
Why event organisers target end of month
Experience has shown that there is a regular pattern which event organisers follow when hosting events. Trends indicate that most event organisers target the end od the month end, a development which means the three weekends within the month are generally dry periods for entertainment events.
SandFest faces fresh setback
The highly-anticipated Sand Music Festival comeback has faced another setback after organisers Impakt Events failed to secure a lakeshore venue for the festival. The organisers said their efforts to secure a venue at one of the lakeside resorts in Salima have hit a blank after the owners denied them permission to host the event at their respective premises. Mawhow performing during a Sandfest event in Lilongwe last year.
CMIFF holds screening session
Organisers of the Cape Maclear International Film Festival (CMIFF) hosted a screening session for the Malawian television series Agent Limwado at the creative hub Pabwalo in Lilongwe. According to the event organisers, the screening brought together film enthusiasts and community members who came to appreciate the series for free. The youths following proceedings during the screening .
Gwamba appointed FCB Nyasa Bullets brand ambassador
FDH Bank premiership club FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have appointed hip-hop artist Gwamba as brand ambassador. In its statement, the club said it has formalised a long-standing relationship with the award-winning musician, who is a known supporter of the club. Chigoga (L) and Gwamba. | Courtesy of Nyasa Big Bullets “The partnership formalises a relationship that has grown over many years between one of Malawi’s most recognisable public figures and The People’s Team.
Ras Kansengwa: The man who did it his own way
In life, some people are naturally cut for certain preoccupations, others are trained and still more create their way to earn a spot on the ladder. For popular self-styled photographer Ras Peter Kansengwa, nothing was given; he cultivated a myriad of stumbling blocks to clear his path and eventually got himself where he wanted. His acceptance was never easy and came at a cost. Was a self-styled photojournalist: Ras Peter Kanaengwa.
SKC’s image inspires fashion creations
Many times, some public personalities have seen their image grow bigger to the extent of attracting adoration beyond their known realms. They go beyond their professional terrains to become fashion bedrocks or poster faces of various campaigns.
Local creatives speak on xenophobic attacks
Some local artists and event promoters have stood up against the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa by making their voice heard. Musician Temwah took to social media to express her dismay over the attacks. Temwah: They should not perform here until they stop the xenophobia attacks. |Courtesy of Temwah “The way South Africans are mistreating our brothers and sisters from Malawi, in any sensible way even artists from South Africa are not supposed to come and perform here.
Unpacking the Agulugufe enigma
When you step in a club these days or patronise an entertainment event, you are bound to hear the song Ndili Single. “Zibwenzizi ndayima kaye, ndikuopa mtima kundiswera, zachikondi ndapuma kaye, ndikuopa mtima kundiswera. Chaka chino ndili single, ndili single ineyo…” it goes in part. Agulugufe crew. | Courtesy of Agulugufe Owing to the familiarity of its folklore base, it immediately gets one’s attention.
Chiwamba, Sangie bring out the beauty in music, poetry
It is not every day that artists from different genres come together to work together, but such is the case in the recently released joint project that features renowned poet Robert Chiwamba and musician Sangie. The two artists have collaborated on a poem and song project titled Chikondano. The composition is based on a Christian hymn Chikondano. As the song rolls in the background, Chiwamba and Sangie alternate in delivering the song’s stanza in song and verse.
Blantyre Arts Festival dangles exposure slots
Malawian artists stand to benefit from a partnership between Blantyre Arts Festival (BAF) and Zimbabwean art outfit Apama Arts through international exposure support. Through the partnership, artists from Malawi and Zimbabwe will tour China, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Thailand and United Kingdom to network, facilitate collaborations and earn exposure at an international level.
Music Crossroads Malawi launches music contest
Music Crossroads Malawi has rolled out Imagine competition that will identify and showcase outstanding young music talent from across the country. According to communication from Music Crossroads Malawi, the competition is set for July 11 and 12 and will culminate in the selection of one act to represent Malawi at the Imagine International Final in Brussels, Belgium.
Old Xool Reunion on the cards
Some well-known DJs in the country have organised shows dubbed Old Xool Reunion to showcase old school lifestyle and showbiz. The first event is set for Blantyre’s popular entertainment joint RSVP on July 4 and will feature names such as Philip Kalindawalo alias Phyl Touch, Radio 2FM’s Joy Nathu, Ephraim ‘DJ E’ Nyirenda, DJ Robin and Dude The Smasher. DJ E: Today’s entertainment circles hardly incorporate the 80s and 90s generation.
Spanner on the verge of Guinness World Record
Malawian food lover Austin Awali, popularly known as Spanner, is set to competefor a possible place in the Guinness World Book of Records. Spanner has been invited to Nigeria for an eating competition which, among others, will require participants to eat 50 and 100 pieces of nsima, with a place in the Guinness World Book of Records as the ultimate prize. Spanner: I am bringing the title home.
Families bemoan piracy of Izeki ndi Jakobo clips
Izeki ndi Jakobo Studios, a company jointly run by children of the departed Malawian comic duo of John Nyanga and Eric Mabedi (Izeki ndi Jakobo) has expressed concern with the unauthorised use of video productions of the duo. There is an increasing online use of video clips of the duo, mainly from their films I am the Road You Walk and Kukhala on numerous Facebook pages, a development the company says borders on intellectual property right infringement. Their work being pirated: Izeki ndi Jakobo.
Mzuni moves to boost creative industry
Mzuzu University (Mzuni) head of Department of Language, Cultural and Creative Studies Chimwemwe Kamanga says the proposed Bachelor of Arts in Language and Creative Arts programme aims to provide an all-round understanding of the creative industry. He told a validation meeting on the proposed programme held at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas), Blantyre on Monday. that the programme’s graduates will be empowered to benefit from their creative works.
Martse, four years later
Music lovers will tomorrow converge at Springs Park in Mzuzu to celebrate the life of departed hip-hop music favourite Martse. This will be the third edition of the Martse Memorial Show since his tragic death in a fire accident on May 23 2022 in Mangochi. The memorial shows are organised by the Martse Foundation, a charity organisation formed in honour of the artist.
New drama series set to premiere
Six MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Malawian graduates have teamed on a new television drama series titled Insecurities. The MTF graduates featuring in the series are Bryan Magombo as director, Sarah Mgwaluko as assistant director and script Editor, Jonathan Kapumba as director of photography), Chisomo Kawaga in the role of editor, Melissa Babil as assistant producer and Asante Mbaimbai as script writer and producer.
12 schools battle for drama prize
Twelve secondary schools from across the country will this weekend fight for the Association for the Teaching of English in Malawi (Atem) drama competition glory. From tomorrow to Sunday the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe will be the place to be as the battle for Atem’s top prize reaches its climax with K35 million winners’ prize.
Malawian movie nominated for regional film award
A local movie production 16 Barz King of Bawo has been nominated for the Best Southern African film at Uganda’s Ikon Awards. The film was produced and directed by actress-cum-producer Mirriam Phiri and the production is her first directory role. The Ikon Awards are one of Uganda’s biggest award platforms and they recognise excellence in film and media across the African continent. Speaking in an interview yesterday, she said: “This means a great deal for me.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Brian
Contact Brian, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack