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News
MAIKO ZULU
ROCKS MAXIMUM PRISON IN HISTORICAL “JAIL-BREAK CONCERT”
By Webmaster
As World AIDS Day was being commemorated
across Zambia with the country’s President Rupiah Banda
officiating in Chipata, Zambia’s reggae ambassador Maiko
Zulu was making rare history when he became the first
artiste to perform inside the notoriously hard-core Mukobeko
Maximum Prison in a show dubbed “JAIL-BREAK CONCERT”.
There was tension and anxiety at within the prison as the
1,796 inmates awaited the entry of Maiko through the three
massive security gates leading to the open pitch inside the
facility. This was however broken when the small-statured
dreadlocked singer entered through the 1 meter high small
gate dressed in his now famous orange overalls labeled
 “GANJA
CONVICT” and accompanied by Sista-D, amid
thunderous shouts of jubilation. There was instant order as
the inmates stood about 35 meters from the stage for
security reasons. In no time, Maiko broke the security rules
as he went and joined the thousands of prisoners and
passionately sang some of his conscious sounds, much to the
amazement of the security personnel who clearly thought all
hell would break loose.
As Maiko looked up into the “Condemned” section a good
distance away, he greeted the occupants who answered with
complaints of not being allowed the opportunity to see him
closely. Soon, a rebellion atmosphere developed in the
section where death row prisoners are housed. Quick thinking
by the alert and dedicated prison security calmed the
situation when they allowed Maiko and the Commissioner of
Prisons to enter the “Condemned” section. Only Sista D was
allowed to accompany Maiko and the Commissioner into this
section where 267 condemned inmates fill the small two-story
building amid very tight security. Emotions could not be
hidden from the condemned prisoners when the Commissioner
asked Maiko to address them on issues of crime and
HIV-AIDS. There were amazing scenes of joy and hope
among the inmates as he spoke.
When the entourage went back into the main prison, Maiko
met and had a one-on-one talk with two convicts who robbed
him of his light truck vehicle at gun-point in 2005.
They were convicted for 25 years each. Maiko said he has no
hard feelings against them and asked the officers not to
treat them harshly. Soon after, Maiko spotted two of the
Drug Enforcement Agency officers who where part of the team
that arrested him for possession of ganja in 2009. They are
awaiting judgment in a corruption case. Maiko called one of them
to the stage and declared peace. There were tears in the
disgraced officer’s eyes who could not believe the turn of events. Later, some of the officers confessed that a lot of
tension and animosity against the prison authorities was
calmed with the coming of Maiko to Mukobeko.
Maiko described the day to this writer as one that deserved
its place in history.
ARCHIVE NEWS:
MAIKO ZULU TO PERFORM IN
KAMPALA
Zambia’s reggae musician and activist Maiko
Zulu will on 25th July 2010 join South African
songbird Yvonne Chakachaka in Kampala, Uganda as part of the
African Union Summit programme.
Several African leaders will be in the
capital for the summit.Maiko who is Fair play for Africa
regional Ambassador will be accompanied by Sista D and will
share the platform with various artistes including
Sasha
and Lami from Nigeria, Nakaya and Sarah Mitaru from Kenya as
well as other local artistes.
Only recently, the dreadlocked musician set
Durban alight during the World Cup at a memorable concert
held at the King Zwelethini Stadium.
This will be an opportunity for Maiko to take
part in an initiative close to his heart as leaders carry
the mantle of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie 1 who was the
founding father of the then Organisation of African Unity
OAU and figurehead of Rastafarianism.
Maiko’s music has in the past addressed the
very issues that will be tabled at the summit, making his
presence in Kampala even more significant. The Zambian
artiste has continued raising the banner of reggae music
across the continent and putting Zambia in the spotlight.
Maiko and his team are expected to jet into Kampala on
Wednesday 21st July ahead of the Sunday gig.
Commenting on the show, Maiko said “We are
deeply humbled to note that our music is being recognised as
a tool for developing our continent and we thank our fans
for their invaluable support”. He further said “Like Bob, we
play Kings’ music and its just fitting that we play where
kings gather. AU is His majesty Emperor Haile Selassie’s
creation and we are simply going to weed the field which our
father planted”.
ZULU IN DURBAN FOR MAJOR
CONCERT
By
Webmaster
The Fair Play for Africa regional Ambassador
Maiko Zulu of Zambia will be live in the World Cup hosting
South Africa for a major concert at Durban’s King Zwelethini
Stadium this June 18th.
This
will be a comeback gig for Maiko who last performed in
Durban 10 years ago during a 7000 strong beach concert,
which featured the likes of Mandoza and the late maestro
Jabu Khanyile among others.
At least 10,000 people will be skanking to
Zambia’s top reggae act. The reggae ambassador will be on
hand to remind African government leaders on the need to
accelerate their commitments to the Millennium development
Goals (MDG’s) on health, gender, poverty and HIV/AIDS.
Fair Play launched the Zambia campaign on 11th
June at the Barclays Sports Complex in Lusaka.
With Sista D amd Martha on hand, the trio
will be backed by The Revellers Band from Durban and will
play alongside South Africa’s prime and youthful outfit the
Jenerik Soulz. The Fair Play Ambassadors seem set to take
the continent by storm with a collaboration between Maiko
and Jenerik Soulz being mapped. This would provide the
continental touch to the music and to the campaign. Watch
dis space fe details!
More Fire!!
MAIKO PRETORIA BOUND
Fair Play for Africa regional Ambassador
Maiko Zulu
is this week expected in World Cup hosting South Africa to
assist in the development of a communication video and to
attend a Fair Play For Africa dinner at which South African
President Jacob Zuma is expected to be present. More on our
Media page
FREEDOM TO CREATE RECOGNISES AFRICAN
REGGAE AMBASSADOR
Reggae musician and human rights
activist Maiko Zulu of Zambia has been recognised by the
Freedom to Create for his participation in the 2009 Freedom
to Create Prize.
In a letter to Maiko, Freedom To
Create Vice President Bernard Stringer said “I would like to
thank you for your participation in the 2009 Freedom to
Create Prize which celebrates the power of art in creating
positive social change. We received over 1000 nominations,
amongst which your entry was notable”. Stringer further said
“we hope you are heartened to know that you are part of a
global community which uses art as a powerful tool in
countering the struggles of the world today”.
In an interview recently, Maiko
said he was humbled by the gesture form Freedom to Create
and would remain committed to fighting for social justice
for all using his music which he said was now beginning to
find it’s place in the world.
Maiko was recently appointed Ambassador for
the Fair Play For Africa Campaign and was guest artiste at
the launch of the Malawi Fair Play For Africa in Blantyre.
MAIKO IN MALAWI FOR FAIR PLAY FOR
AFRICA LAUNCH
Fair Play For
Africa campaign Ambassador Maiko Zulu is expected in Malawi
for this Saturday’s launch of the campaign in Blantyre. Maiko
is scheduled to touch down at Lilongwe airport on a mission
to remind the Malawian government on its commitment to
delivering the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) on
health.
Maiko is scheduled to attend a mammoth rally
and a soccer tournament as well as teaming up with local
musicians for a public concert. Various local and
international representatives of the campaign will join him.
Fair Play for Africa is a unique activity, bringing together
over 200 organisations from across the continent in their
aim
to use the 2010 FIFA World
Cup to ensure equitable access to quality health and HIV
services for African citizens especially women, children,
and people living with HIV and AIDS.
Maiko was recently appointed Fair Play For
Africa campaign Ambassador by the campaign organisers in
South Africa through a letter signed by campaign manager
Wole Olaleye.
Maiko’s
music has been a vehicle for social change and the
recognition at regional level should be testimony of how
essential his messages have been in improving the living
standards of Africans across the continent. He is expected
back in Zambia on Monday.
JU$TIC£ FOR HIR£ VIDEO HITS
THE SCREENS
By Webmaster
The music video for the title
track Ju$tic£ For Hir£ has hit the screens with a buzz of
excitement. The
video stars Khuzwayo (Angela Nyirenda's son), Mwiza (Maiko's
daughter), Fridah and 4-year-old drummer Bunda (Brian
Shakarongo's grand son). The kids do justice to the video as
the fit naturally to the scenes and add a different
dimension to the video, which only features two still
pictures of the artiste Maiko Zulu.
Muvi TV
Kids News has already featured Bunda on its bulletin.
The catchy
chorus of ‘Kanitundila’ can be heard on the streets of
Lusaka signalling a positive response to the video and the
CD which is enjoying very good sales.
The album produced by
Sebastian Mutale and Maiko Zulu is on
sale in all Sounds Of Zambia outlets and at
www.zamtunes.com
For other info, check out THE
MAIKO ZULU FAN CLUB ON FACEBOOK (rights of membership
reserved)
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