Concert 2015
Chikuni Tonga Concert
A Beautiful Showcase of the Life of the Tonga-Speaking People Through Music and Dance
Thousands of people gathered to celebrate the rich traditional and cultural heritage of the Tonga-speaking people during the annual traditional music festival hosted by Radio Chikuni in Monze. Attendees were treated to vibrant performances from dance troupes clad in colorful, creatively designed traditional costumes.
In 2015, 45 bands performed across 12 categories of Tonga music, showcasing the depth of the culture through music and dance. Unlike previous years, the festival was held for only one day instead of the usual two, due to financial constraints. In collaboration with the local cultural institute, Mukanzubo Kalinda, the station also reduced the number of performing bands to improve the standard and quality of performances. Bands earned their place at the festival through music workshops, where the most promising artists were selected during auditions.
While bands have historically competed in different categories of Tonga music at the Chikuni Music Festival, this year’s event took a different direction—it was purely a cultural showcase, not a competition. There were no judges, no winners or losers. Instead, each performing band received a token of appreciation for their contribution to preserving and promoting Tonga culture.
Despite the festival lasting only one day, it drew over 9,000 people who came to experience a vibrant celebration of traditional music. This year, particular emphasis was placed on preserving fading traditional music and dances. Mukanzubo Kalinda’s cultural expert, Yvonne Ndaba, spent six months researching traditional dances from various chiefdoms, identifying groups from Chief Ufwenuka, Senior Chief Moonze, Chief Munyumbwe, Chieftainess Choongo, Chief Chona, Chief Moyo, Chief Nalubamba, Chief Hamaundu, and Chief Mwanza. These groups passed down Tonga wisdom through their performances. All costumes were made by the Mukanzubo Kalinda Cultural Institute.
The festival aims to preserve, celebrate, and develop the local culture through music. Since its inception in 2000, the event has grown significantly, now attracting close to 10,000 people annually. It remains the largest traditional music festival in Southern Province—and the only one of its kind.
Special Feature 2015 – Tribute to Bernard C. Mweetwa
The late radio drama actor Bernard C. Mweetwa was honored posthumously for his significant contribution to the concert, where he was the most beloved MC. Popularly known as Hamaleke, after his humorous character in a Chikuni Radio drama, the Bana Monze Cultural Ensemble paid tribute to him through a heartfelt Tonga dirge.
Concert Gives Platform to Survivor of 1979 Guerrilla Attack
Fifty-six-year-old Bernadette Moonga from Chief Munyumbwe’s area in Gwembe captivated the audience with a powerful performance recounting her survival story from a 1979 guerrilla attack.
On November 8, 1979, Bernadette and her 32-year-old husband were traveling from Munyumbwe to Gwembe Hospital with 21 other passengers. As their van navigated a rocky road, it came under fire from Zimbabwean guerrillas. The van was forced to stop, and the attackers opened fire indiscriminately. Twenty-one people were killed on the spot.
Though Bernadette was shot at multiple times, not a single bullet penetrated her body. Amidst the chaos and gunfire, she held onto her 7-month-old baby. A soldier pointed a gun at her, and although she doesn’t recall what happened next, she later found herself under a pile of rocks, holding the body of her faceless baby—his face torn by bullets. It was only the clothes that confirmed it was her child.
She returned to the van and discovered her husband’s lifeless body. Realizing she was the sole survivor, she lost consciousness. When she regained awareness, she was in a hospital, and later hidden by authorities for a week for her safety.
Bernadette was only 20 years old at the time. After the tragedy, she was ritually "cleansed" by a male relative of her late husband—a customary practice—resulting in a pregnancy. She later remarried and had eight more children. Though she is haunted by the memories, she lives a quiet life with her husband, Paul Namusanje, a farmer.
When she learned that Yvonne Ndaba was recruiting performers for the Chikuni Music Festival, Bernadette formed a band with her grandchildren and 11-year-old daughter to share her story through music. It was the first time she had publicly shared her experience. With eight girls and two boys, she delivered a moving performance that brought the audience to tears. The children sang a poignant elegy about the attack, while the boys used replica guns in a choreographed dramatization. The performance concluded with a symbolic portrayal of the massacre’s final moments.
The audience responded with a thunderous ovation. Bernadette said she participated to ensure future generations understand the sacrifices made during the struggle for Zimbabwe's liberation.
What About the Artists?
Whether recounting tales of survival, performing warrior dances, or singing about cultural transitions, the festival remains central to the revival of Tonga culture. Radio Chikuni strongly believes in using music and dance as tools to pass on wisdom to younger generations, while recognizing that culture is dynamic and ever-evolving.
Local artists are increasingly being recognized. Two performers who gained prominence at the Chikuni Concert were nominated for the prestigious Zambia Music Awards. Rodrick Mungala won Best Traditional/Indigenous Instrumentalist in 2015, while Enock Mbongwe performed at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London, earning a standing ovation.
The concert offers a platform to artists who might not otherwise have the opportunity to record or promote their music.
Why the Concert?
For the Tonga, music is a way of life. It accompanies every event, ritual, and stage of life. Through music, one can experience the norms, values, taboos, and daily lives of the people. Sadly, the culture lacks a formal custodian. Music serves not just as entertainment, but as a social expression, a means to preserve identity, invoke emotion, and relive memory.
The Chikuni Concert costs thousands of kwacha to host annually. Radio Chikuni invites the corporate world to partner with us in preserving this invaluable cultural heritage. We urgently need funding to build infrastructure at the concert venue to enhance the audience experience. We also aim to train artists to develop their talents and expand their careers beyond the festival.
Why Should Companies Support the Festival?Sponsorship Benefits:
- Pre- and post-event promotions reach over 500,000 people via media, online platforms, and grassroots campaigns.
- Sponsors are featured in promotional materials, media coverage, event signage, and vendor booths.
- The Tonga Music Festival is the largest traditional music event in Zambia, offering exposure to diverse local and ethnic audiences.
- Media partners include Zambia Daily Mail, Times of Zambia, The Post, ZNBC, MUVI TV, BBC, and DW Radio.
- The festival is also promoted via the Zambia Tourism Board’s television program on ZNBC, reaching over 5 million viewers.
- Radio Chikuni now streams online and has a global audience.
- The event is broadcast live across Monze, Gwembe, Pemba, and parts of Mazabuka, Namwala, and Choma.
- With approximately 10,000 attendees, it provides a prime platform for companies to market products and services.
- The festival attracts a broad demographic—young and old, rural and urban.
By Mweemba Nchimunya
