Just like that. In a single night, under the beaming galaxy of stars at Lilongwe Golf Club, Lucius Banda’s trailblazing musical career, spanning over 30 years, technically ended.

The music icon launched his Love and Hate album, his 20th and final collection that marked an end to his public performances.

Final lap: Lucius (C) during the performance on Saturday

Thousands of anxious fans flocked to the concert which was billed to start at around 6pm. However, by 11 pm, precisely five hours later, there was still a long queue of vehicles maneuvering their way into the event venue premises.

Preceding the main meal of the day were performances by Nepman, Sam Smack, Waly Cris, Mlaka Maliro, Lulu and Dan Lu. The night was prepared for what would be a final send-off for Malawi’s music godfather.

The ‘Soldier’ was set to leave the war front and hand over the mantle to his trusted captains, many of whom had passed through the music corridors at his Zembani Music Company.

Love and Hate is Banda’s title for his final album, but what he got from his protégés, other artists and patrons who graced the show was nothing, but love.

Zembani Band products Lulu, Dan Lu and Wendy Harawa offered timely tributes to the man they called father for what he has done in contributing towards the growth of the country’s music industry.

“I wouldn’t have been where I am today if it were not for the big man, ‘Sir Soldier’ Lucius Banda,”said

Dan Lu who performed a couple of songs, including some collaborations he did with Lucius.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man.

Around 1am, Lucius stepped onto the stage dressed in a black jacket decorated with golden patches. He looked as elegant as a monarch; a man in charge.

The crowd roared and he waved back, probably enjoying his final lap, his finest hour and an end to a golden era.

“Thanks for coming,” Lucius screamed, igniting an ovation.

“I would like to take this opportunity to invite on stage my sons Lulu and Dan Lu. As you can see, today the whole backing vocals set-up is changed. I have Lulu and Dan Lu as my vocalists as they are here to say goodbye to their father.

“They deserve special recognition,” said Lucius, before Lulu and Dan Lu stormed the front stage and embraced their ‘father’, attracting jubilation from the impressive crowd that braved the long wait to witness the show.

Launching into the night’s business, he started his set with Nthawi, an emotional piece that narrates how friends discard you when disaster strikes.

It is a symbol of his life, a broad reflection of his musical journey. Here is a colossal man who has seen it all. Hated by corrupt and greedy politicians who he criticised with utter passion, but loved by the oppressed, the nameless people.

“I know how the politicians will feel, but it really doesn’t matter with me now because I am ready to die for the truth. Yes, nothing but the truth will set Malawi free,” he opened up in his song, Yahwe.

What followed was Pharaoh, a song that predicts doom for enemies like the one that befell Egyptians in their pursuit for the Israelites in that biblical story.

Lucius’ scope of accomplishments stretches beyond being an artist, his Zembani Band has nurtured nobodies into big names.

“Without Lucius, there was no Mlaka,” said Mlaka Maliro during his set as a curtain-raiser.

Lulu, who also has strong links to Zembani Band, paid tribute to Lucius, describing him as a legend, when he took to the stage for an electric performance.

In an interview yesterday, multi-award-winning musician Billy Kaunda, who is also a parliamentarian, said Lucius is a bastion of dedication, hard work and inspiration.

In his farewell speech Lucius hinted on a possible return to the music scene at least with some singles and collaborations.

During the auction of the CD, people scrambled for the album. Wendy Harawa was the highest bidder as she bought the CD at K3 million. Blantyre-based Amaryllis Hotel general manager Ramy Waheed who got his copy at K2 million while Entertainers Promotions director Tonderai Banda bought his copy at K500 000 and legislator Joshua Malango got one at K200 000.

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