Information reaching this publication indicates that Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V has cancelled this year’s Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni annual cultural festival in honor of the departed former Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima and veteran musician Lucius Banda.

Chilima died in a plane crash together with 8 others on June 10 in Chikangawa Forest while Lucius Banda died on June 30 in South Africa where he was receiving treatment.

Speaking during a media briefing in Ntcheu yesterday Inkosi Gomani V said the Maseko ngoni will be mourning the death of the two for a period of three months.

According to Gomani V, the death of the two is a big blow to the Maseko Ngoni as the two greatly supported the cultural grouping.

Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni annual cultural festival happens the first week of September every year.