Malawi Police Orchestra band returns

ZOMBA -Most Malawians sang along to populist songs such as Wina Alira, Sapota and Anyamata a Sports.

These songs done by the Police Orchestra in the 1980s were recently enjoyed by revellers in Lilongwe when the band made its comeback at a Christmas show for Black Missionaries.

One of the country’s accomplished musicians Gray Mtila, father to President Joyce Banda, worked in the band after graduating from Nullhall Music College in the United Kingdom.

He was then followed by the late State Samangaya who also became popular with football songs such as Wina Alira composed when Malawi won the East and Central Senior Challenge Cup in 1988.

The man left behind a playlist of anthems such as Sapota and Anyamata a Sports. And now, over 10 years since the last performance, the band is back.

Fans at the show danced to Makondamakonda, Amunanga Muno Mtauni and renditions of Busy Signal’s I miss you and Gambler reminiscing of the good old ‘80s.

“We now have new equipment bought by the Japanese government for us and the Police Brass Band. This has necessitated our come back and I must say, we are rearing to go, holding shows like in the past, that’s our main business in 2013. We are also going to record songs so as to re-establish ourselves on the music scene,” said Andrew Kamangwa, band member and lead vocalist.

The band has 10 members including bass guitarist Kalinga Moda, Francis Chipofya on keyboard, rhythm guitarist Kondwani Ngalande, lead guitarist Dillie Suluma and Samuel Mziya on bass guitar.

Explained Kamangwa: “We would like to thank our current leadership at MPS for the interest it has shown to be supporting us.  In fact we will be performing at two end of year parties for MPS officers. After that, our focus is 2013, how to make that indelible come back.”

Police Orchestra