Legendary events manager and music promoter Sir Jai Banda of Entertainers Promotion has warned that plans by Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Alfred Gangata to organise a fundraising concert featuring either Chris Brown or Burna Boy as the main artist may not work in Malawi.
Banda says the cost of bringing international artists of that level is too high for Malawi’s current economic situation, particularly with the Kwacha under pressure and foreign currency in short supply.
“My experience of over 40 years in event organisation has shown that except if there is massive sponsorship, the proceeds from events rarely cover the expenses,” Banda said.
He said organisers should not assume that a large crowd automatically means a profitable event.
“For people who have no experience in event organization might think money can be realized. It takes a lot to recover money from music events. Sometimes lot of people get in free, the number of workers is big and they don’t pay but just increase the numbers in the event.
“For non experienced organizers when they see crowds in other peoples’ shows they fall in the trap of thinking shows are well attended. The shows which have been organized recently in Malawi in my assessment little has been realized from those shows,” he said
Banda cited recent events, including the Mingoli Bash, arguing that the amount invested was not recovered.
He has instead advised government to focus on supporting local artists and organizing fundraising events across the country.
“Hold local events with local artists like fundraising dinners across the three regions where the President will be guest of honor. Even have fundraising events in stadiums with the High Office appealing to Malawians to attend especially the corporate sector. Encourage them to buy tickets for their employees and or ordinary Malawians,” he said
Gangata said the planned concert is linked to his wider goal of creating 100 to 200 young Malawian billionaires between 2026 and 2030.
The minister estimates that if 40,000 people attend the concert and each pays an average of K150,000, the event could generate K6 billion before expenses.
He said money left after meeting the costs of the event could be used to provide capital to selected young entrepreneurs.
Gangata said similar events and partnerships could be organised in future to continue supporting youth businesses.
