By Arnold Namanja
Mulanje, September 2, Mana: Celebrated music artist Lawrence Khwisa, popularly known as Lulu over the weekend mesmerized delegates to this year’s Association of Catholic Journalists (ACJ) elective conference held in Mulanje District.
Lulu appeared at the 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Nalipiri Eco-Tourist Resort located at the foot of Mulanje Mountain and on the banks of Likhubula River as a surprise package to the cultural evening.
The artists took to the stage which had been fired up by a local cultural outfit called Magabada from Lumbuli – Muloza Border which also left the audience in awe with its renditions.
Lulu whose performance only lasted for 30 minutes since he had just sneaked from another event at Mulanje Peaks and Rhythms happening across the district, dished out songs like ‘Ana ambiri ndi lera, Mtima wakana and Wachenjera darling’, among others.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency after his performance, Lulu said he felt duty bound to entertain the journalists despite having another assignment considering the contribution that the media has made to his music career.
“I was compelled and obligated to come because the media, let alone Catholics have been an important aspect of my life. I owe my success in the music profession to the media,” Lulu said.
On the other hand, the Magabada Cultural Theatre Group performed various traditional dances including Beni, Chisamba, Namunasini and Manganje. The cultural evening was also characterized by traditional dressing and traditional food.
Speaking with Mana, Magabada Group Leader, Weston Chipendo said they were pleased to entertain the Catholic journalists during the cultural night to spice up the evening with traditional dances to leave lasting and memorable experiences of Mulanje.
On his part, DJ Kho Makondetsa did want to be outshone with his selection of music. DJ Kho carefully selected his traditional music pieces ranging from the oldies to those trending today.
DJ Kho told Mana he had prepared well ahead of the event considering that journalists are a rare breed in society with a taste of good things in life including music.
One of the delegates, Jacqueline Saidi of Luntha TV said the cultural evening had been quite refreshing and rewarding.
“The evening has been quite an experience for me as this is the first time I am attending the ACJ AGM. It has been very interesting with a lot of unexpected events and interactions,” she said.
Similarly, Moses Michael Phiri of Nation Publications Limited praised the organizers of the AGM for providing them with an event where they were entertained for a long time.
Speaking at the official closing of the AGM, the incoming national chairperson for ACJ, Lucky Mkandawire pledged to work with dedication, observing that the ACJ needs innovation and creative minds for its sustainability.
However, Mkandawire thanked individuals and companies such as the OPC, Illovo Sugar, the management of Nalipiri and all those who took part in ensuring that the AGM was successful.
