[1.54.. MALAWI] When Culture Comes Calling with Qabaniso Malewezi

54Lights

WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY

In the official kick-off to the fourth season, the continental journey, that lives through this project, takes flight in the warm heart of Africa. Episode 1.54 (When Culture Comes Calling with Qabaniso Malewezi) brings listeners to Malawi, the native homeland of host Kondwani Mwase, and the starting line for this very special and powerful season.

In this episode, Kondwani is joined by artist, poet producer and all-round creative culturalist Qabaniso Malewezi to talk about his process, inspiration and pursuits. Qabaniso shares his thoughts on culture and the role of art in our society including; African music’s unique and distinctive spirituality, the unavoidable entanglement of politics and art and gaining access to decision-makers that drive the renewal and revival of Malawi’s arts and culture sector.

LEARNINGS THROUGH LISTENING

• Qabaniso's artistic journey was started by his late father, a fellow musician and storyteller, as well as politician, who taught him how to play guitar. He was also inspired and taught by his uncle who played the organ.
• Q, as some call him, was involved in successful drama club at school and after moving to South Africa was surrounded by culture which further inspired him.
• One of the ways Qabaniso’s passion for Malawi’s musical sector is in being one of the founding members of Hip-Hop group Real Elements.

INTERESTING MOMENTS

2:56 “Politics is always an amazing background for many artists”

5:40 “My passion and my drive is to really see Malawi’s creative and culture sector thrive”

09:56 “African music is a very spiritual music, it doesn’t matter where you come from it doesn’t matter if you understand or don’t understand the African languages”

13:18 “I really decided to take a deep dive and explore the concept of who we are as a people and our duality, inner conflicts, the good the bad and the ugly, basically just documenting the human experience”

VALUABLE RESOURCES

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

FAST FACTS ABOUT MALAWI

1. Formerly known as NYASALAND, Malawi means ‘fire flames’ - a nod to the rising sun seen on the waters of its vast lake.
2. Lake Malawi has the most fish species of any lake in the world - with well over 1,000. This is no surprise as it is the 3rd largest lake on the continent and ranks in the Top 10 globally.
3. Malawi, and its millions of charming people, welcome visitors to what's known as the "the warm heart of Africa"

Malawi is also the first stop in our march of the continental map...with this episode airing originally in July 2023.

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54Lights is committed to illuminating the African experience...one story at a time.