Anyoni laid to rest: Nankhumwa touts Malawi artists’ welfare, minister Kazako agrees
Leader of opposition in Parliament, Kondwani Nankhumwa has said the late Elson Soko – who played the role of Anyoni in Pamajiga radio soap opera that is aired on Malawi Broadcasting Station (MBC) – was amazingly talented with full of artistic bones in his body.
Nankhumwa was speaking at the funeral service for the late Soko at the deceased home in Machinjiri on Monday, August 17 2020.
The late radio drama guru died on Saturday at Blantyre Adventist Hospital after a long illness.
Hundreds of mourners from all walks of life attended the funeral and his burial at HHI cemetery.
Nankhumwa said he knew Soko as a workmate at the MBC over a decade ago.
“I worked as a journalist while the late Soko was our librarian. We interacted very closely with him when we wanted to research for our various news stories in the library. However, his theatre exploits in the Pamajiga radio play were simply marvelous and amazing.
“It is therefore with great sorrow that I learnt of the passing of Anyoni. He had an amazingly high sense of humour but a very humble personality. The nation has lost a very important person,” said the Leader of Opposition, who is also opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for Southern Region.
He, however, said that despite being one of the most celebrated and finest radio play actors, Soko died a poor man. The youthful politician opined time was ripe for authorities to find ways and means of ensuring artists welfare.
“Indeed, it is high time that our artists are valued in a meaningful way. For example, government and relevant stakeholders must facilitate the setting up of artists welfare scheme,” said Nankhumwa.
Minister of Information Gospel Kazako, who spoke on behalf of government, concurred with the Leader of Opposition on the issue of artists welfare, saying artists themselves also ought to be organized and fight for their own cause.
“We have various professional associations; those of nurses, doctors, accountants, lawyers, you name it. It’s high time that artists moved in that direction as well. As government, I can assure that many things are going to change for artists in the positive sense,” said Kazako.
He conveyed a message of condolence from President Lazarus Chakwera.
Aubrey Sumbuleta, MBC Director General, spoke on behalf of public broadcaster where the late Soko was an employee. He detailed Soko’s career history, saying it dates back to 1972.
Veteran comedian Eric Mabedi aka ‘ Jakobo’ spoke on behalf of all artists, actors and actresses. He described the late Soko a rare drama gem who had immensely contributed to the growth of the industry in Malawi.
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Nankhumwa is a level minded politician.
anthu a drama, mpira, music etc imeneyo ndi ntchito yawo akamafa osauka si vuto la munthu. Anthu amakhala kalaliki oa company ngati sakhala ndi side hustle azafanso mwa ukalaliki. Dont forget Anyoni anali osoka nsapato pansi pa Bluegum ,pa chinseu, nseu opita ku Makata paja panali bawo cha mma 70-80s
Chilichose ndale ? Bwanji kodi. Ma comments full of politics, chepetsani.
Malawi Wokomera Tonse in action. Can you imagine an opposition politician being allowed to speak at such a funeral during the DPP era? Bwenzi achina Ntopwa 1, Bangwe 1, Mbayani 1 or whatever 1 atachita naye ndithu. Lessons to be learned bwana Nankhumwa.
This very true.
pano atatinyoza kuyambila dausi
cimulilenji
fiti yaikazi ijayo palowa yina uja
ntopwabangwe
mbayani
ngati si ife a malawi tose.
kutumbwa anthu osalemphera ajawo.
amadziwa ndani kuti dpp ingafe
ROBERT SOMANJE emwe lelo ati ndi Ben Phili
then comes George Malemya now nankhumwa
mxii agalu nose mulila simunati
These people could have blocked the opposition person making his speech, a leaf to be borrowed inu a opposition
Nanga tipanga bwaanji