By Chiyembekezo Kachitsa
Malawian gospel and Afro-R&B artist Theresa Phondo has released her latest EP, Kingdom Energy, as she builds momentum towards her first headline concert scheduled for October.
Released on September 22, the eight-track project carries a strong Christian theme and features collaborations with Zambian artists Pompi and Mag44, alongside Malawian musicians including Eli Njuchi and Beracah. The project includes tracks such as Bwera, Dzina, No Gwede, Chuma, Big God, Kingdom Energy, Honey and Chipako.
The release comes as Phondo prepares for Theresa Phondo Live in Concert, which will take place on October 31 at the BICC Amphitheatre in Lilongwe. The concert is being presented as a celebration of her musical journey, from her early days with Zathu Band to her development as a solo gospel artist.
Phondo’s journey into music began long before her professional career. As a child, she enjoyed performing for her parents, although her first experience performing in front of a larger audience came through school, where teachers put her on stage during assembly despite her stage fright.
Her interest in performing continued at home, where she would sing with a friend who had band equipment. She later joined a church praise team, an experience that brought her further into music and eventually led her to discover auditions for Zathu Band.
Zathu Band, launched in 2017 as part of the Zathu Pa Wailesi youth multimedia programme, became an important platform for Phondo and several other young Malawian artists. The group combined traditional Malawian sounds with contemporary Afro-pop and urban music while promoting messages around youth unity, friendship and breaking social barriers.
For Phondo, the group also became a space where she developed her confidence and skills through vocal training and acting. Fellow artists who emerged through the Zathu platform include Praise Umali, Paul Kachala and Esther Chitheka.
Her career subsequently developed into a solo journey, with her music increasingly taking a gospel direction. She has previously spoken about the influence of Zambian gospel artist Pompi, including his album Mizu, which she has identified as an inspiration during her transformation towards gospel music.
Pompi will now share the stage with Phondo at her October concert, creating a significant connection between an artist who influenced her faith journey and the artist she has become.
Nigerian gospel star Adah Ehi will also headline the concert. Phondo has described Ehi as an artist she looked up to and said the two first met when Ehi came to perform in Malawi. They have remained in contact since then.
The concert will also feature Malawian performers Praise Umali, Beracah, Paul Kachala and Esther Chitheka, bringing together artists connected to different stages of Phondo’s musical journey.
Phondo has described the concert as a celebration of what God has done throughout her career and an opportunity to bring together the people who have supported her journey.
“It’s Malawian at heart, but connecting to the rest of Africa,” Phondo said about the concert.
The concert is scheduled for October 31, 2026, at the BICC Amphitheatre in Lilongwe, with doors listed for 4pm. Tickets are currently being sold through Kwenda, with standard tickets listed at K30,000 and VIP tickets at K100,000.
With Kingdom Energy now available and the concert bringing together artists from Malawi, Zambia and Nigeria, Phondo’s latest chapter is shaping up as both a musical release and a celebration of the journey that took her from a young performer with stage fright to a recognised gospel artist performing on an international stage.
