LILONGWE, Malawi- 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.
The Victims
The deceased have been identified as:
- Raphael Chitsonga – drummer and sound engineer
- MacFarlane Banda – guitarist
- Vincent Mkwinda – road manager
- Wilfred Kapengule Jnr – pianist
- Elivacy Myaba – vocalist
The group was travelling to Lilongwe ahead of Njuchi’s highly anticipated show scheduled for Saturday, December 27, 2025.
Known for their professionalism, energy, and creativity, the five were regarded as some of the finest instrumentalists driving the growth of live music in Malawi.
Their deaths have sent shockwaves across the industry, with fellow artists, fans, and families describing the tragedy as a devastating loss to the nation’s cultural fabric.
Outpouring of Grief
Tributes poured in from Malawi’s leading musicians:
- 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.
- Obed Kananji, bassist, described the incident as heartbreaking: “Dear God 💔 What a loss to the music fraternity!”
- Abraham Malinga, guitarist, admitted: “I don’t know how to process this 💔.”
In response to the tragedy, Eli Njuchi cancelled the BICC show in Lilongwe, where the band was scheduled to perform.
Other Road Incidents
Separately, musician Lulu cancelled his performance at Club 24/7 after his vehicle suffered two burst tyres when it hit a pothole. He was also unable to perform in Bvumbwe, highlighting the broader challenges of road safety affecting artists during the festive season.
A Nation in Mourning
The deaths of the Hive Band members have underscored both the fragility of life and the immense contribution of young talent to Malawi’s music scene. As tributes continue to flow, the industry faces the painful task of moving forward without some of its brightest rising stars.