Castel Malawi Boosts Sand Music Festival with K25 Million Donation
This significant contribution marks a 75 percent increase from the K16 million donated by the brewery during last year's festival.
Blantyre, Malawi — The Sand Music Festival, a prominent event in Malawi's music and arts industry, is set to receive a substantial financial boost this year, as Castel Malawi Limited has pledged a generous K25 million donation, writes Judgement Katika.
This significant contribution marks a 75 percent increase from the K16 million donated by the brewery during last year's festival.
Pheona Nyambo, Castel Malawi Brands Manager, expressed the company's deepening commitment to the event, stating that the Sand Music Festival aligns with the values cherished by Castel Malawi Limited.
"Castel Malawi is a brand that values the arts and music industry; therefore, we have a keen interest in events such as the Sand Music Festival. Our participation this year symbolises the growth of our relationship, which has achieved remarkable progress over the years," said Nyambo.
Castel Malawi believes that the Sand Music Festival not only benefits the music industry but also offers growth opportunities in tourism, energy, and the broader economy.
Nyambo emphasised that the festival serves as an effective platform for engagement with valued customers while they enjoy themselves.
"This festival is a rare avenue for our company to engage with our valued customers as they have fun. We believe that this year's Sand Music Festival will unlock Malawi's potential and contribute to the development of the entertainment industry," added Nyambo.
Lucius Banda, Impact Events Director, expressed his gratitude to Castel Malawi for their swift and significant contribution to the festival.
"As organisers, we are very thankful to Castel Malawi for providing this substantial amount for the event. This funding will go a long way as we prepare for the festival," said Banda.
This year, the Sand Music Festival will feature a Malawian artist as the headline act, a testament to the growth of the local music industry.
"Malawian music has seen significant growth over the years, which is a great development for the industry. Consequently, this year, the main artist will be a Malawian, supported by other local and international acts," explained Banda.
With a budget of K140 million for this year's festival, Banda called on other companies to follow Castel's lead and provide support.
"In the current global economic climate, things are challenging, and our budget for the event has reached approximately K140 million. We appeal to other companies to come forward and assist in making the event a success," urged the director.
Banda also highlighted the festival's broader economic impact, emphasising that it extends beyond music, benefiting sectors such as hospitality, transportation, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
"Sand Music Festival generates economic activities beyond music. We expect hotels to be fully booked, the fuel business to thrive as fun lovers travel, and SMEs to experience a boost," Banda said.
Despite economic challenges, Impact Events has maintained ticket prices and assured the safety of festivalgoers, underscoring the festival's continued significance in the economic development of the country.