Pictorial: Malawians bid farewell to Izeki, actor laid to rest in ‘last comedy’

Owen Khamula – Nyasa Times

Malawians on Tuesday gave a hearty farewell to the king of comedy, John Nyanga popularly known as Izeki and braved the chilling weather in Blantyre to fill the Kamuzu Stadium for his funeral ceremony.

Nyanga's stage partner Eric Mabedi devastated...Photo Jeromy Kadewere
Nyanga’s stage partner Eric Mabedi devastated…Photo Jeromy Kadewere
Comedians Michael Usi and Boniface Kalindo , mourning ..Photo Jeromy Kadewere
Comedians Michael Usi and Boniface Kalindo , mourning ..Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Izeki's daughter in tears...Photo Jeromy Kadewere

John Nyanga's son...Photo Jeromy Kadewere
John Nyanga’s son…Photo Jeromy Kadewere
Musician Lucius Banda, actor Frank Patani Mwase, Willie Zingani, UDF's Macdonald Symon  at the funeral...Photo Jeromy Kadewere
Musician Lucius Banda, actor Frank Patani Mwase, Willie Zingani, UDF’s Macdonald Symon at the funeral…Photo Jeromy Kadewere
Minister Grace Chiume came to console John Nyanga's wife ...Photo Jeromy Kadewere
Minister Grace Chiume came to console John Nyanga’s wife …Photo Jeromy Kadewere
Holy Ghost parish priest during requiem mass...Photo Jeromy Kadewere
Holy Ghost parish priest during requiem mass…Photo Jeromy Kadewere
Comedian Ruth Simika  and actor Thulgepo Chisiza also present to pay her last respect...Photo Jeromy Kadewere.
Comedian Ruth Simika and actor Thulgepo Chisiza also present to pay her last respect…Photo Jeromy Kadewere.
The coffin surrounded by Roman Catholic women...Photo Jeromy Kadewere
The coffin surrounded by Roman Catholic women…Photo Jeromy Kadewere
UDF women came to pay their last respect to their party member...Photo Jeromy Kadewere
UDF women came to pay their last respect to their party member…Photo Jeromy Kadewere
Tears for departed uncle...Photo Jeromy Kadewere
Tears for departed uncle…Photo Jeromy Kadewere
Some of the people that graced the funeral ceremony...Photo Jeromy Kadewere.
Some of the people that graced the funeral ceremony…Photo Jeromy Kadewere.

Nyanga failed as a politician in elections on United Democratic Front (UDF) as councillor and a member of parliament in Ndirande but proved to be the best stand up comedian Malawi has ever had.

Thousands upon thousands filled the Kamuzu Stadium both in the covered stands and open stands, proving that Nyanga was not just an ordinary Malawian but a Malawian would remember forever.

The body took over an hour to be taken from Kamuzu Stadium to HHI cemetery, his lasting resting place because of thousands upon thousands of people who lined up the way to bid farewell to Nyanga who entertained Malawians as a comedian for four decades.

Conspicuously missing at the funeral service was President Peter Mutharika who has official engagements in the north and United Democratic Front (UDF) a party Nyanga belonged to was represented by party secretary general Kandi Padambo  while former president who arrived the same day from South Africa reportedly assisted in financial kind to run the funeral program.

Minister of Sports and Culture Grace Chiume represented the government and Mutharika at the funeral whilst hundreds of actors and actresses escorted Nyanga to his last resting place at HHI.

Group Village Headman Makata of Ndirande received a rare standing ovation at the funeral service when he asked Malawians to avoid using the social media.

“My brother resting here has been killed over five times on Facebook and Whatsapp. If you are drunk or have abused something, please stop creating deaths of other people,” said the traditional leader.

Just as in life,Nyanga had also a comedy in death as his wife, whom he had separated for close to three years, was on his coffin and was declared chief mourner. And the Catholic Church he had discarded, made his requiem mass at the funeral as opposed to his church he had formed just earlier to his death.

The mnister, Chiumia, said President Mutharika had provided K200, 000 for the funeral and said he was saddened with the death although he could not make it for the funeral service due to official duties.

Chiumia said Nyanga’s comedies and drama showed great talent in him and the country would lose his services.

A representative of Joy Radio, Lloyd Zawanda said the radio station drafted in Nyanga because of his talent, saying research showed listenership of the radio grew rapidly after he started his programs on the radio.

Willie Zingani, represented actors and actresses at the funeral.

He said he knew Nyanga in the 1980s when his book Madzi Akataika was adapted for a play of Kwathu where Nyanga played a pivotal acting role.

Malawian comedians, led by his best friend Eric Mabedi, placed flowers on the grave.

Nyanga’s  grave was not far away   to  gospel female artist Grace Chinga , who was buried at the cemetery some months ago.

Other notable faces included Michael Usi aka Manganya, Bon Kalindo, Lucius Banda, Black Missionaries and MP for Ndirande Aaron Sangala. He is survived by the wife and three children.

 

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Dzimwale
Dzimwale
7 years ago

Its high time we Malawians stop scattering of beautiful roses when one is gone,,,,,give them while alive and can appreciate the same……..

Smmify
Smmify
7 years ago

Declared Chief Mourner? Are you sincere in your reporting? since when have we (Malawians) started ranking mourners? While the nation is mourning that we have lost a great son of our land, some known Malawian reporter has strength to take fun of the loss.. Can we be a little serious, please.. I don’t think there would be any justification to make fun of this.. Nthawi yamacheza izikhala ina.. koma iyi yokha.. tisamale chikhalidwe ndikukondanso anzathu, especialy the bereaved family at this hour…….. Let’s preserve our culture and human dignity. (If u thot this description would add value to ua reporting,… Read more »

Elder Sage III
Elder Sage III
7 years ago

His last greatest performance was the launch of the Public Sector Reforms at BICC, Lilongwe in Feb 2015. It was as fresh as one done by a recent graduate…. fearless, faultless in front of the head of state, diplomats and a horde of high ranking officials in public and private sector. He did not choose whom to take to task. It is featured on the mobile DVD set on the Tam Tam coach which plies between Bt and LL cities. I make sure I ride this bus when traveling on this route. A real talent, this guy was..it was coming… Read more »

peterbanda@gmail.com
7 years ago

Owen Khumula, are you saying President Mutharika must have attended the funeral. I fail to understand your reasoning when you say “conspicuously missing was president Mutharika”. Do you understand the meaning of the phrase or you just write for the sake of it?

Wamaka
Wamaka
7 years ago

lol, naneso ndadabwa. the guy was well known, doesn’t mean the head of state had to attend.

namba wani
7 years ago

iseki was the man who could crack your ribs. am sso sorry Jacob for the loss, but you guys did agreat job those days.

victor
victor
7 years ago

RIP John Nyanga you are a hero who will always be remembered

victor
victor
7 years ago

RIP John Nyanga you are a hero and will always be remembered for all those who know you

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