Musician ‘Amjiba’ Kalima dead: Ex-Alleluya Band percussionist

News has been announced of the death of long-time Balaka-based percussionist and vocalist Mathias ‘Amjiba’ Kalima.

According to family sources, Kalima, who was in his early fifties, died in the wee hours of Wednesday at Balaka District Hospital after a long battle with tuberculosis.

In music circles, Kalima will be remembered as one of the pioneers of the Alleluya Banda, who throughout his career, played drums and later became one of the main vocalists.

He performed alongside with band members Lucius and Paul Banda, Paul Chaphuka, Charles Sinetre, Noel Makadali, Henry Makoloni and Samson Chikoti, among others.

His wife, Cecilia, is a gospel musician whose career began at Montfort Media Choir. She currently sings alongside Monica Marco.

Until his death, Kalima worked as an ambulance driver at Comfort Clinics of Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust.

Survived by a wife and four children, he will be buried Thursday at his home village, Beseleni, close to Andiamo Campus.