Emotional scenes as Lucius Banda mausoleum unveiled in Balaka
The mausoleum of celebrated musician ‘Soldier’ Lucius Banda was unveiled at his home village of Sosola in Balaka District today, in scenes so raw and emotional that at times the ceremony felt less like a celebration of his life and more like a funeral all over again.
Hundreds gathered at Sosola Village this morning for the unveiling, with the moment proving especially painful for Banda’s grief-stricken widow, Sunganani Banda, and the couple’s children.
The tears finally broke through when Sunganani was handed the keys to open the mausoleum. The gathering collapsed into loud wails, with mourners overcome by grief – and it took a considerable amount of time before calm could be restored to the crowd.
Fellow musicians, politicians and members of Banda’s own group, Zembani Band, were among those who packed into Sosola Village to pay their respects to a man whose music shaped generations of Malawians.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Banda entertained the nation with hits including Mabala, Nthawi, Adzatimva and countless others. He died on 30 June 2024, at the age of 53.
Chairperson of the Mausoleum Project Committee, Allan Esau Phiri, said that given the towering legacy Banda left behind, he deserved nothing less than such a fitting final resting place.
Phiri revealed that K31 million had been pumped into the project, which was funded by Banda’s friends both in Malawi and abroad, and confirmed plans are already underway to eventually transform the mausoleum into a museum, where members of the public can visit to learn about Banda’s life, career and enduring legacy.
Zembani Band leader Sam Simakweli admitted the band was still coming to terms with the loss of its founder, but said the group was moving forward under new lead vocalist Johnny Banda, Lucius’s own son.
Later in the day, a celebration mass for the late musician was held at Zembani House, led by Bishop Montfort Sitima. The bishop said the powerful message Banda spread through his music continued to resonate deeply in the hearts of many Malawians – pointedly adding that this was especially true for the country’s ‘greedy politicians’, a favourite target of the singer’s socially conscious lyrics throughout his career.
A star-studded memorial show in Banda’s honour is being held this afternoon at Balaka Stadium, with performances lined up from some of Malawi’s biggest musical acts, including Black Missionaries, Lulu, Piksy and Zembani Band themselves
– bringing to a close a day that has seen Malawians from all walks of life come together to mourn, remember and celebrate the life of a music icon.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :