Date Of Article: 11/22/2002
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Matafale remains irreplaceable
By: Peter Makossah
November 27, 2001 will forever be in the minds of musicians in the country as a day of sorrow, horror and sadness. This was that day when Malawi was robbed of arguably the greatest music icon of all times, Evison Matafale. And one year since he prematurely died, there seems to be no musician who can claim to have replaced Matafale in the country’s music echelons. To prove that Matafale lived and died an idol among his folks, many musicians have done songs as a tribute to the irreplaceable music kingpin. To most people Matafale is gone and they have come to terms with his absence, but to musicians the death of Matafale is as painful as ever. Lucius Banda: I miss the late Matafale as a brother in music. It is a fact he was good and he left a gap that will take a long time to be filled. His premature death is a major setback to the development of music not only in Malawi, but also in Africa and even beyond. Billy Kaunda: We lost a pillar of reggae music in Malawi. He was extraordinarily gifted and no doubt if he had lived a little longer he would have taken Malawi music to another dimension. Ben Michael: I think death did us a disservice. Matafale was a person who wanted his music to grow and spread throughout the world. I can’t still imagine he died a violent death, I think he is resting in peace because he was fighting for justice and peace. Wendy Harawa: I used to admire Matafale for he was self-styled and he was a fighter, his music was real and whenever I listen to his music I feel inspired although I don’t fall for hard core reggae but ragga music. He is dead but he still lives in our hearts and through his music, which takes a greater mind to understand. His music is for the moment and the future. Sally Nyundo: All I have to say is that Matafale was a prophet of peace, love and justice. He was a king in life and hero in death; no one will replace him. He was his own; he never imitated anybody he established himself into a reggae king. San B: I know Matafale and have worked with him, he was a true artist and his talents are unequalled. I miss him, he was going to be destined for great things if he was spared to live longer and he would have shaken the world with his music. May his soul rest in peace. Joseph Tembo: I produced his last song in his life Time Mark. He was a great artist and I enjoyed his sense of humour. The country lost an icon in the music industry. Death is jealous, it is unyielding just like the grave. I will personally miss him. Chuma Soko: I have been his producer all through, I have produced Kuyimba one and two and during that time we got very close. He was one of the best people that I have ever produced. He was talented and knew what he wanted and wanted what he knew.
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