Mwezi Wawala attracts US, Kenya, Nigeria artists
What started as an idea is swiftly turning into reality as Mwezi Wawala International Arts and Theatre Festival keeps on attracting attention locally and international with artists from USA, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria currently confirmed to partake in the intercontinental feast.
The festival to be hosted by Nanzikambe Arts will take place from August 31 to September 2 this year at the group’s base, Naperi in Blantyre.
Mwezi Wawala-to be first arts festival to ever be held in the country-has so far attracted attention of several artistic groups from across Africa and overseas ranging from dance troupes, music bands, poets and theatre.
The assortment of the performers has been germinated, according to Nanzikambe’s Special Projects Coordinator, Nkhwachi Peter Mhango to give the patronage an extensive collection of artistic works that will satisfy their interest.
Theatre
On theatre, apart from Nanzikambe itself, Chancellor College Theatre and St Andrew International High school theatre there are other eight groups from South Africa, Germany, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Republic of Central Africa to entertain theatre enthusiasts.
“International theatre groups coming are German Theatre Konstanz, Mgcini Nyoni Theatre of Zimbabwe and Tropic Expressions from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). South Africa is represented by Imbewu Productions Company, Apple Q Productions and Fresco Theatre. Ghetto Wave Productions theatre of Botswana is also coming as well as Moboko Theatre from Republic of Central Africa,” disclosed Mhango.
Poets
The list of poets expected to thrill the audience during the three-day festival include Bhekumusa Moyo of Zimbabwe, Story Moja Sitawa Namwalie and Cynthia Ogana from Kenya, Crystal Tettey from Ghana and of course Malawi’s own poets Nyamalikiti Nthiwatiwa, Q Malewezi and Linda Poetic Angel Gabriel.
Dances
On dances, the audience should brace for a cross-range of African contemporary and traditional dances from Malawi’s Mudzi Cultural and Malawi National Dance troupes as well as Uganda National Contemporary Ballet, Pamodzi Dance troupe from Zambia and Abok Minen traditional dancers from Cameroon. Other groups are Ogun State Cultural troupe from Nigeria, Nsango Group of DRC and African Theatre and Dance Company from South Africa.
Music
When it comes to music, according to Mhango the festival has so far attracted the attention of one international music group which is Street Freedom Strings (Afro) of United States America (USA).
“There will be about six music artists and five of them are local which are Ben Michael Mankhamba, Waliko Makhala, Charles Chavalamangwere Mkanthama (ethno musician), Agoloso and of course the acoustic duo of Edgar ndi Davis.
“And in the category of storytellers we will have our own Dyson Gonthi and Nancy Agnes Phiri. The list I have just given consists of groups that have confirmed are coming for the festival. We are yet to see if we can add some more on the current list,” added Mhango.
With months to the festival, it is about time arts pundits prepare themselves for night skies that twinkle with gleaming stars and the moon in its full radiance, mingling with softer glow of oil lamps on the side walls, as folklore drums rumble to the tempo of its strummer, dancers’ limbs flow in waves of rhythm and folktale tellers sinking hearts to the lure of their tales.
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