Malawi’s music industry is in mourning following the sudden death of five members of Eli Njuchi’s celebrated Hive Band, who perished in a road accident at Senzani in Ntcheu along the M1 Road on Friday morning, December 26, 2025.
The victims have been identified as Raphael Chitsonga, drummer and sound engineer; MacFarlane Banda, guitarist; Vincent Mkwinda, road manager; Wilfred Kapengule Jnr, pianist; and Elivacy Myaba, vocalist. Their untimely deaths have cast a pall over the festive season, highlighting critical issues of road safety for artists traveling across the nation.
The band members were widely regarded as some of the finest instrumentalists driving the growth of live music in Malawi. Their professionalism, energy, and creativity had earned them a special place in the hearts of music lovers.
The accident occurred while the group was traveling to Lilongwe ahead of Njuchi’s highly anticipated show scheduled for Saturday, December 27, 2025, which has since been cancelled.
Tributes have poured in from leading Malawian musicians and fans alike, underscoring the immense impact these individuals had on the country’s cultural landscape. Eliza Mponya wrote emotionally: “Abale tilile bwanji anyamata inu Ralph ndi MacFarlane… Sleep peacefully my dear brothers.” Lawi lamented: “This is tragic a sad day for music in Malawi. Praying for the families.” Onesimus said the country had lost giants of the industry.
The NICO Group, through its creative sector strategic partner, the Copyright Fund, has joined the nation in mourning, providing financial assistance of MK1 million to each bereaved family to help with funeral arrangements.
President Arthur Peter Mutharika and First Lady Gertrude Mutharika have expressed sadness over the loss, describing the musicians as instrumental figures whose passion and artistry helped shape the soul of Malawi’s music industry.
The government has announced it will cover all funeral expenses, ensuring the artists are laid to rest with dignity.
The Malawi Musicians Union (MMU) has called for a moment of silence at the upcoming Malawi Music Awards and announced a fund to support the families of the deceased.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the challenges faced by touring artists. As the nation mourns, there are calls for improved road safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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