GREAT ANGELS IN NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

“Presidential Taskforce on Covid19 make tentative COVID 19 preventive measures for people to abide by, but it takes the spirit of patriotism for people to adhere to the recommendations” – Dr Phuka

By: Bester Kayaye

After cancelling the much anticipated the Great Celebration concert due to covid19 restriction, the Great Angles Choir says is geared to host the New Year Celebration on 1 January 2021.

The choir was supposed to host the Great Celebration at Bingu International Conference Centre in Lilongwe on 25^th December 2020 where among others it was to unveil its promotion CD Ufumu umodzi Suukilana until Presidential Task force on Covid-19 restricted gatherings to a maximum of 100 people which affected many concerts. 

However following the announcement Musicians in the country last week expressed shock over government’s decision to limit public gatherings to less than 100 stipulating that many are to be affected by the decision as some were already booked for music shows.

Speaking to Zambuye.com, one of the choir directors William Zonda explained that the choir has decided to have a new year celebration to compensate their fans who already bought tickets including those that could not make it during the 25^th December concert.

But Zonda was quick to mention that all covid19 preventive measures shall be adhered to where among others they are to purchase facemasks and hand sanitizers which shall be given to every participants on the day.

He also said they are to go ahead with the New Year celebration concert aligning with the injunction musicians obtained through a private lawyer rebuking the decision by the task force to cancel concerts on covid-19 grounds.

Zonda said; “I have to confirm that the show is on at BICC and we have artists like Lulu, Antony Makondesa, Wycliff Chimwendo, Miracle Chinga, Limbani Simenti among others who are to support us with their live performances.” 

“At the event we are also to unveil the promotion CD which contains hits like ndiza Yahweh through which we are communicating Unity, Love and Godliness, and we have produced to break our silence on music arena as the choir recorded its last album in 2014, it’s been 6 years which is a very lengthy period.”

He also described 2020 as a tough year which has choked many initiatives of the choir and entire music arena as a whole including Covid-19 restrictions that prevented many from holding concerts.

Zonda also urged the fans to continue supporting the choir, disclosing that “We are coming back with another album which is being recorded by another producer Amos Mlolowa at Active A records. We want our fans to sample the new songs and get acquainted to the same.” 

“In 2020 we are planning great things for our fans, as we are growing, we want to showcase the closeness and the love we have towards all our fans across the country by organising a national tour. We are very committed to spread the Gospel through music to everyone who was created by God.”

Following government’s restrictions on social gatherings Organisers of Tour De lake Malawi have postponed the 10 day mobile festival along the lake to March 24, 2021 in a bid to abide by assigned protocols.

And Chairman of Presidential Taskforce on Covid19, Dr John Phuka explained that their role as a taskforce is to make tentative covid19 preventive measures for people to abide by, but it takes the spirit of patriotism for people to adhere to the recommendations.  

Dr Phuka emphasized that it is the duty of every citizen to ensure that all recommended measures are being followed despite waiting for the law to force them to adhere.

He said; “People should understand that the situation we are in is very critical because currently our cases are escalating and when we ask for preventive measures to be followed we recommend these to protect Malawians. This should not be taken seriously only when the situation is worse, and other countries are experiencing new strains of the virus which we are not wholly safe.” 

“It is strange that some sectors believes that these measures are only affecting their ventures but the truth is that the pandemic has affected all sectors and if they continue with their social gatherings it only implies that they don’t value lives of other people.”