News From The Tonga Concert 2011

For the past 12 years, the all Tonga Music Concert has become synonymous with Radio Chikuni and enlivens the radio station’s dream of being a cradle of culture. As part of the station’s quest to be relevant to the community it serves, and be a “truly relevant community radio station”, it has committed itself to the preservation of the Tonga culture through music. This is because music is an important medium of communication for many African tribes, through music communal and family ties are strengthened, knowledge and wisdom is passed from one generation to the next and counsel about many issues regarding the African way of life are transmitted through music. For the Tonga, music is an important aspect of their culture, elderly people hand down unique revered traditions to the young through music. Since time immemorial, music for the Tonga people has helped to showcase a unique way of life. The first concert was held in 1999, and from that time the concert has become popular not only in Monze but other parts of the country. It is now bigger and better. It has over the years helped to showcase the richness and diversity of the unique traditions of the Tonga. Yet again this year, Radio Chikuni hosted the 12th music concert on 2nd and 3rd September. The 2011 all Tonga Musical Concert was held under the theme “Kalya Uzumana Koba”, simply translated as ‘never give up!’ Hosting the concert for the 12th time brought with it many questions haunting many today. Living in the fast changing world where the majority of the poor are without the basic necessities for survival is definitely heart wrenching to any observer. And in a world of so much misery, pain, hatred, civil strife, poverty, corruption and many other social injustices, people today seemingly have little or no hope for a better tomorrow. Hence our theme of encouraging people to “never give up” because if man can hope, then he can cope. The message was to tell the people to stand unwavering, to remain true to their principles and values and not to be swayed by anything .Our message was to tell them ,its darkest just before dawn ,and the rising of the sun can bring hope ,dreams can come true, amidst the chaos ,we can find orderliness ,amidst conflict ,there can be a relative lull only if we remain resolute in doing what is just and right ,because wrong is indefensible; and right is might , it can never be defeated. Those who stand on the side of right can and will always win for wrong has no right to exist. With support from various sponsors, Radio Chikuni carried this message of hope to the over 10, 000 people who attend the 2 day festival and to hundreds of listeners at home. Monze Bishop Emilio Patriacha hailed the Tonga culture‘s many positive attributes such strong family ties and unity. In a speech read for him by Fr Kennan Chibawe, the Bishop implored the Tonga people to preserve their culture. Guest of Honour, Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) President Maiko Zulu hailed the “raw talent’ exhibited by the local bands on stage. Maiko praised the local artists for playing live music using home-made musical instruments but deplored the lack of modern instruments among the Tonga bands performing at the concert. As the sun set on Saturday, it marked the end of the 12th edition of the all Tonga Music Festival. Looking forward to yet another exciting edition of the concert next year! Though hosting such an important event costs the radio station millions as no one pays to participate or watch the concert but the winners in various categories walk away with cash prizes, Radio Chikuni wishes to reiterate its commitment to be the cradle of Tonga culture by helping to preserve a unique way of life of the Tonga people through song and dance.
By Mweemba Nchimunya

FESTIVAL WINNERS’ LIST

BUKONKOOLO 1. CHOOBE WOMEN 2. SINTEMBA TUSOLE 3. TULANGE BAND

CHIGOME 1. NAMALIZYI BAND 2. DAVISON CHIZYUKA 3. OBRIAN MAINZA

KALINDULA 1. JATA BUCE BUCE BAND 2. MASAKA BAND 3. KASIIKA SUPERSTARS

KALUMBU 1. CHRISPIN CHEELO 2. PATRICK HAMPONGO 3. ENOCK MBONGWE

KALYABA 1. JUNIOR HAAMPONGO 2. SIKAMUNIKA BAND 3. TONGA BAND

KANKOBELA 1. ANDREW GEORGE MUNYUMBWE 2. AARON NCHENJE 3. JOSEPH MWEENE MANYONA

KUTWA 1. ELINAH NACHIYOBA 2. BINA LILY 3. MOONGA HASTINGS

KUYABILA 1. RODRICK MUNGALA 2. JAMES H. SHIMATAMBO 3. ELVIS HIMOOYA

MAGUITAR 1. PATSON KANYAMA - Ndeendenda

NDIKITI 1. SIMOONGA BAND 2. TUYANDAULE BAND

SEESA 1. AZARA CULTURAL GROUP 2. HUNGRY LION 3. NAMANGOMA CULTURE - Impato

CILIMBA 1. CHOOMBE BAND 2. SOLON NANGULU 3. KASUKWE BAND

SPECIAL / NON – CATEGORY 1. NGOMA YA MWAMI CHOONGA – KUTAMBALA 2. NGOMA YA MWAMI UFWENUKA – MASABE 3. LUSE CHIPEMBELE BAND - MASABE