Baf gears for 2015 show

South African gospel singer Rebecca Malope is expected to headline the Blantyre Arts Festival (Baf) this year.

The Baf organising team of Vanessa Nsona and Itumeleng Ngulube confirmed the development Wednesday.

Nsona and Ngulube said Malawians should brace for more exciting activities during this year's festival which runs from October 2-4 under the theme Arts can do it.

"We are trying to make this year's festival different. This year it will be more corporate and we are also looking at giving much platform to local talent.

"We will also have Rebecca Malope who will be touring Sadc countries in October. She will be accompanied by three other musicians from South Africa and one of them is Nom," said Ngulube.

The award winning gospel singer has released 32 albums in a music career spanning over 27 years to date.

Last year, the festival had international acts from Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Ngulube said apart from Malope, they have also already signed contracts with local acts including reggae group Black Missionaries, Ethel Kamwendo Banda, Kwathu Drama Group and Solomonic Peacocks.

"We are also having a street carnival this year and so there is more. We will have poetry, theatre, music and fashion," she said.

Nsona, who is a fashion designer, said fashion has been neglected during arts festivals in the country and the festival this year will give it platform.

"We are looking at having workshops on fashion and other arts areas. It's just the beginning but we want it to dominate," she said.

She added, "As Baf, we want to promote and expose the positive side of the continent of Africa and people, the beauty, vibrant, energetic, talented and inspiring men, women and children, varied culture and the arts as an expression of life, hope and creativity," said Nsona.

The event will this year be held at Blantyre Sports Club.