The Lost History Foundation (LHF) has received two generous grants from well-wishers to sponsor notable individuals to attend the much-anticipated Burning Spear’s show at CIVO Stadium on Saturday, 26 October 2024.
These grants come from Justice Trouble Kalua, a judge of the High Court of Malawi and a company called UltiNetS co-owned by a Malawian based in the United Kingdom called Richard Chisala (also co-partner of Jah Kings Promotion).
The sponsorship will primarily support Lion Dread a respected Rastafari elder, to attend this historic concert. Lion Dread holds a special place in Malawi’s reggae and Rastafari history. Besides being one of the earliest to emerge as Rastafarians in Malawi by 1994, he is among the key figures in the promotion of Rastafari teachings and reggae music in the country.
In October 1998 when Power 101 FM was established as the first privately owned radio station in Malawi, a groundbreaking radio program called “Jah Works” was launched. This program was dedicated to spreading the knowledge and teachings of Rastafari. The show’s anchor was Istal-J (Junior Manning) a Jamaican Rastafari elder. However, Power 101 FM urgently needed another Chichewa interpreter for Istal-J to collaborate with Ras Sidney Chingeni.
Coincidentally, Lion Dread’s exceptional skills in interpretation were discovered during a public event at Nkolokoti Primary School in Blantyre. At this event, organized by the Rasta Voice of Malawi, Lion Dread served as the Director of Ceremony. Unbeknownst to him, Istal-J and other Jamaican reggae artists, including Ibo Cooper, Everton Blender, Jesse Jender were in attendance as guests of Power 101 FM.
When Istal-J addressed the gathering in English, Lion Dread’s remarkable interpretation skills captivated the crowd, earning him widespread praise. His seamless interpretation of the Rastafari message led to his immediate recruitment as the Chichewa co-interpreter for the ‘Jah Works’ radio program on Power 101 FM.
In 1999, Lion Dread established a reggae band called ‘Chosen Few’, which became popular with the hit single and later a debut album ‘Nowa Wapenga’. He performed the tracks from this album at various reggae shows in Blantyre during the early 2000s, further solidifying his influence in the local reggae scene.
Expressing his gratitude for the sponsorship, Lion Dread said:
“I am grateful to the Lost History Foundation for recognizing me among many deserving Malawians who could have received this honor to be sponsored to attend the Burning Spear show. I am based in Blantyre, 300 km away, and I was unlikely to attend the show due to logistical challenges. But now with this support, I will definitely attend. I appreciate the gesture by His Lordship Justice Trouble Kalua and Richard Chisala of Jah Kings Production for the support.”
For well-wishers who would like to provide support to honor more individuals to attend the Burning Spear’s show, please contact:
WhatsApp: +27647319254 or Email: p.chinguwo@historyofmalawi.com
#Lost History Foundation.