By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
Lucius Chiccio Banda, once more interested in football than music during his childhood, was nudged towards music by his older brother. This shift set him on a trajectory to become a celebrated Malawian musician, political activist, and advocate for the underprivileged. Banda, who passed away in South Africa on Sunday night after a prolonged kidney related illness, was 53.
Banda's popularity in Malawi was immense, and tributes have poured in from various sectors, including artists, politicians, religious leaders, and sports figures. President Lazarus Chakwera expressed deep sorrow over Banda’s death, noting his significant role as a Presidential Advisor on Youth and Arts and his impactful political activism through music, particularly during the country's fight for democracy.
Banda hailed from Balaka, a town notable for its influential Catholic church. His mother, Maria Jeremiah, married young and raised her children in severe poverty after a divorce. Banda often recalled his childhood hardships, including walking barefoot to school and living in a leaky hut.
Encouraged by his elder brother Paul, who led a church group called Alleluya Band, Banda abandoned football for music. By 13, he had joined the band and started performing. Banda's passion for music grew, and in the early 1990s, he left the church band to pursue a solo career. His debut album, "Son of a Poor Man," released in 1993, was a hit, with its song "Mabala" criticizing the then president's human rights record.
Banda's music, filled with themes of freedom and social justice, earned him the moniker "soldier for the poor." He supported President Bakili Muluzi's political party through his songs and later faced a ban from the state owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation for criticizing the administration of President Bingu wa Mutharika. This only boosted his fame and record sales.
In addition to his musical career, Banda served as a Member of Parliament for the United Democratic Front from 2004 to 2006 and 2014 to 2019. His first term ended in controversy after he was convicted of faking academic credentials, a move he claimed was politically motivated. Despite this setback, Banda's music career thrived.
In 2018, Banda received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Urban Music People, who called him "the epitome of music in Malawi." He returned to politics in 2014 and held various roles until his death, including an advisory position to President Chakwera on youth and arts. Banda is survived by his wife, Sunganani, and three children.
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