The country’s renowned reggae and dancehall music artist, Merrium Pondani, popularly known as Queenfyah in music showbiz has been selected to represent Malawi as an ambassador for “54 African Mamas”, an initiative aimed at combating the relentless abuse of women in the music industry.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, the Project Manager for 54 African Mamas initiative, Pumzile Manikela said they decided to select Queenfyah as an ambassador for the initiative in Malawi because of her willingness to be part of the gathering.
She added that Queenfyah will help encourage more Malawian female musicians to speak out and share the untold stories which will be an eye opener to many.
Queenfyah said most Malawian female artists are subjected to social ills which are propagated by men who seem to have much power in the industry.
She said for one to progress in the industry, there is need for connections with promoters and DJs, but only few are willing to help without getting something from female artists in return.
She stressed the importance of the initiative to the Malawian music industry saying it will expose social ills and deconstruct them thereby creating a conducive and fair environment for the industry.
The South African Association of Arts Administration (SAAAA) through ToGaTa (the late Lucky Dube’s backing vocalists), intends to bring together female musicians from the 54 African Countries for them to voice out the challenges which they face in the industry.
