By McLloyd Kudzingo
A huge crowd turned out on Wednesday to say farewell to popular rapper Martse who died on Monday at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital where was admitted after suffering severe burns when a house he slept in cought fire at Cape Maclear in Monkeybay, Mangochi.
On Wednesday, his loved ones including government officials gathered at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe to say goodbye and later on at Area 18 Cemetery where Martse was laid to rest. Madam Mary Chilima, Minister of Youth Richard Chimwendo Banda, Minister of Information and Digitisation, Gospel Kazako, Minister of Tourism, Michael Usi, Leader of Opposition, Kondwani Nankhumwa and many urban artists were among the attendees.
Several mourners wore t-shirts with images of the popular MC’s face on them and some written “Too Ghetto Too Gatta” which was the artist’s trademark.
Speaking at the ceremony Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda Government said that there should be a commission of inquiry into the cause of the death of Hip Hop artist Martse. He made the call when making his eulogy .The minister also asked police to carry out independent investigations into the death. The calls come following question marks which were raised from Martse’s family at the ceremony into the circumstances which led to the music icon’s death
Born on May 18, 1994, Martse, real name Martin Nkhata, the award-winning artist held from Mzimba district.
He rose to fame in 2013 after releasing his first hit single “Go deeper” and he will also be remembered by his hit singles Mwano, Tchwe, Mkatimo, Mwapindulanji, Adidas and Woloka.
Martse’s death came at a time when he had just announced an initiative to raise funds for primary school desks in the country and he planned to start with Cape Maclear Primary School which is in the area where he spent the last days of his life.