Reaction on Lucius failed show, as Billy hits UK

Lucius Banda: Committed to a rescheduled date

Malawians in United Kingdom reacted with mixed feelings to the news that Lucius Banda had not been not granted a visa to enter the UK to perform with his Zembani Band. 

He was due to perform in Nottingham on Saturday night but the show was announced to have been cancelled Friday afternoon after the Visa hiccups. 

The Malawian music guru join the list of world celebrity stars who failed to enter UK over visa hiccups.

US rap star Snoop Dogg was denied entry to UK owing to his multiple criminal convictions including selling cocaine despite his concert at Wembley arena having sold out. Mike Tyson was also denied a visa after his rape conviction.

"It is tempting to draw parallels between Snoop, Tyson and Banda. Banda has an unexpired conviction for forgery. This is not a small offence. Don't forget he was fired as an MP for this. The British high commission obviously got wind of it, after all they read the papers,” Pia Likoya posted his comments in the discussion forum, Nyasanet. 

“In British immigration parlance: his visit was not conducive to the public interest,” he argued. 

Border and Immigration Agency under the UK Home Office said it could not comment on individual cases. 

Southern African Cultural (SAC) Events, organizers of the show confirmed Malawi music king pin failed to hold the much hyped concert due to Visa problems. 

“Although Work Permits were granted, we have had procedural difficulties concerning Visas,” a spokesperson for the organizers said. 

But Malawian fun seekers nostalgic about home music show have openly expressed disappointment with the “inconveniences” the cancellation of the show has impacted on them. 

Raymond Chikafa former announcer on Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) told Nyasa Times that the late cancellation of the show was costly. 

“I had cancelled my work shifts for the weekend to travel to Nottingham for the show. I could not stomach the last minute cancellation announcement,” said Chikafa from Essex. 

Peter Makossah who has been Banda’s manager could not hide his disappointments over the development.

“There were many other things which were organised to go along with Lucius Banda’s presence,” said Makossah. 

He had organised a night-long party for his son, Sina Makossah in Nottingham on Sunday night where the music icon was going to be a guest of honour. 

“Lucius is a godfather of Sina and he was going to be the chief guest at the party where many would have had chance to interact with him after the show,” said  Makossah who is going ahead with his scheduled party in Nottingham. 

Justin Kaunda in Nottingham also said postponement of the show had distressed him. 

“I had already bought a ticket for the show and I really don’t know what will happen,” he said.

SAC Events said they will refund people who bought advanced tickets to the value of £30 each. They also said any debit/credit card purchases will be automatically refunded.

“Tickets bought by cash will receive a refund in person at the point of sale with the return of your ticket(s),” explained the organizers.

   Steve Madeira from Birmingham said the fever for Lucius's show had gripped many of Malawians in diaspora and that he prepared much to interact with fellow country folks at the show.

“On logistics, I have spent already money in preparation for the show where everybody was expecting to link up with missed friends,” he said.

    Clara Gomango from Liverpool said many had dipped in their purses to buy new outfit for the event.

“Money was spent in buying new clothes and fashion accessories in readiness for the concert,” she said.

 Hassan Chilumpha from London said as much as he was annoyed with the late cancellation he refused to accuse the musician for the mess.

   “I think Lucius does not deserve sticks from us. The organizers should have made sure his travel arrangements were sorted before publicizing the show,” he said.

SAC Events Limited highlighted in the statement that the postponement is not the fault of Banda.

“We at SAC Events would like to make it clear that the postponement of this concert is not due to Lucius and the Zembani Band. 

In fact, Lucius went to great endeavors to resolve the situation, he is very disappointed and is committed to a rescheduled date,” said the statement.

SAC Events disclosed that they are preparing new dates for the show. 

 Meanwhile, reports were rife that musician-cum-politician Billy Kaunda will perform instead of Lucious. 

Kaunda who is also deputy minister of tourism is currently in England. He insisted that it was not going to be possible for him to perform. 

    Kaunda performed in Nottingham and Manchester in Christmas festive season of 2006.