Lucius Banda Mausoleum unveiling Saturday in Balaka
A mausoleum for Malawi’s most celebrated music icon, Soldier Lucius Banda will be officially unveiled this Saturday, 22 August, in his home town Balaka at Sosola village.
The Lucius Banda Mausoleum has been built by his family and close friends as a way to celebrate his legacy.
Mrs. Sunganani Banda, Lucius Banda’s widow, said: “I would like to thank friends of Lucius Banda for supporting us with this project.”
Chairperson of the Mausoleum building Committee Allan Esau Phiri, who is also member of Parliament for Dedza East Golomoti Constituency, said apart from the free-standing, above the ground building monument enclosing the burial chamber for Lucius Banda, there are plans for a future Museum for the late decorated music kingpin.
“As Lucius Banda’s family and friends we came together and put our resources together to build a final resting place for our brother and friend as a way of honouring his legacy but also to preserve his memory and celebrate his life,” said Esau Phiri.
According to Esau Phiri, the family will also launch the Lucius Banda Foundation (LBF) on the same day.
Esau Phiri said: “After the unveiling of the Mausoleum, the Lucius Banda Foundation will also be officially launched.”
The Lucius Banda Foundation was established by the Soldier of the Poor, Lucius Banda, some years ago with an aim to support the marginalised poor in everyday life struggles including quality of life, education, health, social and economic needs.
One of the organising committee members, UK-based international business strategist and philanthropist Rhoderick Junaid Kalumpha, said Lucius Banda was more than just a music icon, he remains an important figure in Malawi’s history.
“Lucius Banda is a lesson and an exam. He is a student and a teacher of life. His music goes beyond the melodies, his messages are prophetic and he has a song for every occasion,” he said.
Added Kalumpha: “We must preserve his legacy for the generations to come and for our story and nation.”
After the Mausoleum unveiling and the Lucius Banda Foundation Launch there will be a free-for-all life-celebrating memorial music show at Balaka stadium which will feature some of Malawi’s big names in music including Lulu and Mathumela Band, Kell Kay, Phyzix, Coss Chiwalo, Dan Lu, Joseph Nkasa, Annie Matumbi, Sam Simakweli, Mlaka Maliro, Black Missionaries, Johnny Zembani Banda, Zembani Band and many more others.
The man who named Lucius Banda, Soldier, Malawi’s undisputed entertainment giant, Jai Banda, who is also a father figure in the organising committee, is at the helm of ensuring that the show will be the best.
“We will give our brother the best show as he has all his life been giving the people nothing but the very best.
“Ukuku tikachezera, komanso kukatuluka utsi. Lucius Banda will always be the best musician to have graced the Malawian soil and one of the best African artists in the world,” said Banda, who is popularly known as Mr. Entertainer.
Lucius Chicco Banda, widely known by his legendary stage moniker “Soldier” Lucius Banda, was an iconic Malawian singer-songwriter, music producer, and Member of Parliament.
He is revered as the voice of the voiceless due to his fierce and fearless dedication to advocating for the rights of the underprivileged through his music.
The Nthawi hitmaker released 20 studio albums and many hit singles over a career spanning three decades.
His debut album, Son of a Poor Man, cemented his reputation as a socially conscious revolutionary, and his final album, Love and Hate, was released in 2022.
Lucius Banda passed away on June 30, 2024, at the age of 53, while receiving medical treatment in the Republic of South Africa.
“His legacy lives on. We will honour his memory forever,” said his first born son, Johnny Zembani Banda, now Zembani Band frontman.
