The finals of Malawi’s version of the Pop Music Idols, E-Wallet Talent Show, will be taking place on the night of January 26 and not January 31 as earlier communicated, Nyasa Times understands.

Confirming the development, E-Wallet producers have also disclosed that the grand finale has been shifted to Blantyre from Lilongwe.

Initially, the ultimate show was to take place at the Bingu International Conference Centre in the capital, but “due to public demand” it will be hosted at Mount Soche Hotel in the commercial city.

“Having launched the show in Lilongwe, many people have proposed Blantyre as the venue for the finals,” said E-Wallet chairperson Felix Njawala.

On the date changes, he added: “31st [January] is a Thursday and we thought it would inconvenience the contestants and the audience.”

There are three finalists, namely Wakhumbachi Kalua (EW 19), Tawonga Kanthungo (EW 6) and Guise Pemba (EW 18), fighting for the grand prize of K0.5 million and a recording deal.

Wakhumbachi Kalua: In the finals

Guise Pemba, the only man standing in the competition. Photo by Kimpho Loka/Nyasa Times

Kanthungo: Finalist

The contestants are expected to record a track each and will be released and performed on the night of the finals.

Nyasa Times understands that Guise is set to record a contemporary Rock song while both Tawonga and Wakhumbachi will record R&B singles.

During the finale, the three are also expected to perform two extra tracks each before the winner, who will be voted by the general public, will be announced.

Currently, an SMS line to vote for the winner is open to Airtel and TNM subscribers. To vote for their favourite contestant, viewers of the show, which is beamed on MBC TV, should send the contestant’s number to 50505.

And to spice up the final event, some of the evicted contestants have been selected to perform. They are Eric Matewere, Tiwonge Soko, The Elements Dance Crew, The Floor Steppers and Goma Nyondo.

Two of the country’s top Afro-Pop musicians, Maskal of Zili ndi iwe and the Part of life singer Dan Lu are also billed to perform.
The road to the E-Wallet finals started on October 6 last year with 26 contestants, among them singers, rappers and dancers drawn from the Southern, Eastern, Central and Northern parts of Malawi.

As the fashion industry is on the rise, with Malawian designers now getting international recognition, the country will this year witness the birth of its first ever Fashion Week.

Known as the Malawi Fashion Week, the event, which will be bringing together local and international designers, is the brainchild of Dawa Loga-Lemberger and Chikumbutso Mtumodzi.

Loga-Lemberger is the founder of Elegant Resources by ArianaLouise while seasoned journalist Mtumodzi is the owner of African Dzuwa Magazine.

“We have joined hands to bring fashion week to Malawi. The idea is to promote the model industry in conjunction to fashion pieces,” disclosed Loga-Lemberger in an interview with Nyasa Times.

Malawi models showcasing some of Cathy Kay Fashions designs

According to the entrepreneur, who is based in the capital city Lilongwe, the first Malawi Fashion Week will be hosted end May to early June at a venue which will be announced in due course.

“Malawi needs to be prepared, we have time and we will share what’s expected being one of a kind. This fashion week is a trendsetter, an event that will be held annually to set the trends on Malawi designs,” she said.

Malawi Fashion Week will allow renowned and flourishing models, fashion and accessories designers as well as brands or clothing shops to display their latest clothing designs and collections.

On the runway the show is expected to be a trendsetter for Malawi style, fashion and local material.

As said by Loga-Lemberger, who is the events manager, buyers and the media will have an opportunity to take a look at the latest fashion trends, which is what the Malawi clothing culture is being moulded to be.

The event is expected to be a big thing and as indicated by the organisers, pieces will be hand-selected by Malawi Fashion Week team before allowing them to be showcased.

Dawa Loga-Lemberger, to promote modeling and fashion industry in Malawi

“The team will be very strict with the selection of the materials and clothing that will make the runway. We want detail, excellent quality of material, professional tailoring and workmanship,” said Loga-Lemberger.

During the inaugural Malawi Fashion Week, Elegant Resources will also be unveiling its modelling agency known as Elegant Models where it will be showcasing and promoting its models.

As indicated that Malawi Fashion Week will be open to both local and foreign designers, registration will be done through forms which will be available for application.

Elegant Resources by ArianaLouise was founded in 2012, and among others it is home for models, music artists, professional fashion designers and makeup artists. They are also Image/Style consultants and provide business coaching tools.

African Dzuwa is a lifestyle magazine aimed at exposing the local talent through analytic articles and pictures. The publication aims at bringing the country closer to other nations in Africa by celebrating fashion with greater personalities who have achieved a level excellence.