Film on nation's father premiered

Malawi on Sunday made a mark in the film industry when one of its celebrated artist Michael Usi aka Manganya launched a film of comedies titled Manganya in Action Series of Comedies at Comesa Hall in Blantyre.

It was wonderful really for a country which is still behind in the film industry to see one of its sons launch a film of comedies.


The launch of Manganya in Action Series of Comedies was wintnessed by Malawi's minister of Information and Civic Education Patricia Kaliati, deputy minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture Billy Kaunda and some high profile people from the political front.

In her speech at the function which attracted a huge crowd, Kaliati said she was impressed with Manganya in Action of Comedies Series adding that it marked yet another milestone for Malawi's film industry.

" This is an educative film which portrays what Malawians are. This film will not only expose Usi's talent but it will help market the country once the films are watched outside the country," said the minister during the launch which was watched on a big screen.

Manganya in Action Series of Comedies will only be on the market after its relaunch in the northern and central regions of Mzuzu and Lilongwe.

Usi who was overwhelmed with people's support said he was currently working an Asian company to lock the contents of the film to avoid piracy which is rampant in the country.

During auction his first DVD was sold at 60,000 Malawi Kwacha.

This is Usi's second production as he opened a new chapter on his journey into the film industry after his inaugural Dr. Manga released two years ago.

Manganya in Action Series of Comedies depicts Usi as first Malawi's president Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda , waiter, brother-in-law, guard, house servant, preacher, prostitute, musician and boxer in which he fought Malawi's celebrated boxer Wilson Shasha Masamba.

Colorado Graduate Raises Hope, Holds Gala Fundraiser for Malawi Orphans

When Corinne Hancock recently coached Landmark Education’s Self-Expression and Leadership program, her first thought was to do a small project. She was inspired about Raising Malawi, the organization founded two years ago by Michael Berg and brought to prominence by Madonna, that aids hundreds of thousands of orphan children living in the empoverished African nation. She thought she would do a small fundraiser involving people she knew. She received coaching to play bigger, and before she knew it she decided to hold a big, public fundraising extravaganza.

She met with Philippe van den Bossche, Raising Malawi’s Executive Director, requesting that Madonna sign and donate some of her children’s books for a silent auction that Hancock was having as part of her event. A week later, the books arrived signed by Madonna. van den Bossche himself came to Raising Hope, the February 9th event, which was a night out at Amuse, one of Denver’s hippest restaurant/lounges. In addition to the silent auction, the event featured gourmet food, wine, and entertainment provided by a team of 25 African dancers, all of whom were regugees from Sudan.

The space, the food and the entertainment were all donated, so 100% of the event proceeds went directly to Raising Malawi. Money was raised through the silent auction, raffles and a $55 ticket charge to attend. In total, more than 125 people came to the event, and about $12,000 was raised.

Hancock has been ecstatic about being able to make a difference for Raising Malawi on a larger scale than she thought possible. Hancock is clear that this one event is only the beginning–van den Bossche was impressed with what she was able to put together, and together they are looking at how to coordinate other Raising Malawi fundraisers across the country. For more information or to get involved, go to the Raising Malawi website.