Lucius Banda: The Malawi music icon who became a 'soldier for the poor'

Lucius Banda, who has died aged 53, became known as the "soldier" for the voiceless.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUK General ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersThe Malawi music icon who became a 'soldier for the poor'21 hours agoBy Peter Jegwa, BBC News, LilongweShareLucius Banda/FacebookLucius Banda rose to fame in the 1990s when he released songs denouncing the authoritarian rule of Hastings BandaAs a child, Lucius Chiccio Banda had little interest in music - he spent his days playing football instead.

But Banda's older brother coaxed him to join a church band, setting him on a path to become a Malawian musical legend, political activist and "soldier" for the poor.

Banda, who died in South Africa on Sunday night after battling a kidney-related illness for close to five years, enjoyed huge popularity across Malawi.

Tributes for the 53-year-old have poured in from all sectors of Malawi society. Following his death he has been honoured by artists, politicians, religious leaders and prominent sportspeople.

President Lazarus Chakwera said: “It is with deep sorrow that the First Lady and I mourn the passing of Hon Lucius Banda, who was the Presidential Advisor on Youth and Arts.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6p2ldnyxv3o

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