In 2022, the entertainment sector witnessed a revival of various arts activities after their suspension due to public health guidelines to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the year, legends, top artists and emerging artists did their best when it came to releasing hit songs that shook the music industry. Music shows were held nationwide and we witnessed the return of a number of festivals.

A grief-stricken relative embraces a casket carrying Martse’s remains

Despite the revival in the entertainment field, there were a number of losses that left a lot of people sad, shocked and in disbelief.

Euripides did not lie when he said: “No one can confidently say that he will still be living tomorrow.”

The world is not our home, we are just passing through.

Musician Goodson Masudi, 39, popularly known as Linga Masudi passed away in his sleep in February 2022. He was a percussionist and a backing vocalist in Mathumela Band.

With a heavy heart, Lawrence Khwisa aka Lulu said he was saddened with the passing of his band member and friend. He said this during the burial of Linga that followed African Traditional Religion (Chipembedzo Cha Makolo Achikuda) rites led by priest Dziwambo Chamutolo in Chileka, Blantyre.

Died in a road accident: WalyCris

“The death of Linga is a blow to the music industry as he was multitalented,” said Lulu.

Not long after Linga’s death, the creative world woke up to disturbing news of the death of artist-cum-producer Chris Kele and Disc Jockey (DJ) Fresh in April 2022.

Chris Kele, real name Christopher Chipwaila, died in a South African hospital where he had been admitted for two weeks.

He made a name in the 1990s when he starred for Acacias Band alongside the likes of Ben Micheal and Eric Paliani. He later established his first studio. The artist then trekked to South Africa in 2010 where he established Blue Arts studio. He came from William Village, Traditional Authority Katunga in Chikwawa District.

On the other hand, DJ Fresh, born Douglas Green Malunga, succumbed to cancer at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe. The 38-year-old DJ was working as a resident DJ at the Living Room in Lilongwe. The DJ came from Kadikira Village, Traditional Authority Kunthembwe in Blantyre District. 

As if this was not bad enough, the music industry was once again left in shock following the death of Martin Nkhata popularly known as Martse in May. The artist was reported to have suffered 48 percent burns to his body after the house he slept in caught fire during his vacation in Monkey Bay, Mangochi.

According to his elder brother, Jerome Nkhata, the artist succumbed to his injuries at around noon on May 25 in the intensive care unit at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre.

“Martin has passed away at lunch hour today,” he said.

Martse’s death left many in disbelief and speculating what had happened.

President Lazarus Chakwera,  Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda,  Minister of Tourism, Culture and Wildlife Michael Usi, his fellow artists and Malawians could not understand the events that led to his death. Thorough investigations were ordered to be conducted for justice to prevail. 

And just when we were about to conclude 2022, the industry again suffered a great loss. Walycris, real name Wyson Laifoh, died in a road accident involving a bus he was travelling in enroute to Malawi from South Africa on December 23 2022. He was well-known for his unique style and had shot to fame with his Achalume hit done in Yao language.

On the same day, Chikonda Nyirenda, one of the founding members of Jupetters Band, who was also a former treasurer of Musicians Association of Malawi, now Musicians Union of Malawi, died after a short illness and was laid to rest at HHI Cemetery in Blantyre.

Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them. Yet while they are not with us in body, their creative works shall live on among us. Sincerest condolences and deepest sympathy to the families of these great artists.

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