By Burnett Munthali
In a striking defense of Malawian artist Dan Lu, social media commentator Zwezweta Zwiti Zwata has argued that the musician’s career continues to grow despite backlash from opposition supporters. According to Zwata, the belief that unfollowing Dan Lu will diminish his influence or impact is misguided.
“The opposition thinks that by unfollowing Dan Lu, they are somehow making him fade away, but they are very wrong,” Zwata wrote. He emphasized that having a large but inactive following does not benefit an artist. Before Dan Lu’s decision to join the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), his social media engagement was limited, with his posts only receiving around 3,000 reactions. However, since his political alignment with the MCP, his career has reportedly been boosted significantly.
“His song Kutchaya Kugwetsa has garnered an impressive 27,000 reactions—an achievement no other political song, and very few songs in general from Malawi, have ever reached on Facebook,” Zwata highlighted. He added that as some people unfollow Dan Lu, even more are now searching for his page to witness his work, drawn by the buzz surrounding the artist’s rising profile.
Zwata dismissed the opposition’s attempts to undermine Dan Lu’s growing success, stating, “This dull opposition will never bounce back. People who are still using free mode, unable to even view pictures, are the ones trying to drive this narrative.”
Dan Lu’s bold political move and the subsequent reactions it has stirred continue to spark debate in Malawi. While some have criticized his choice to align with the ruling party, Zwata believes it has only served to elevate the artist’s career and broaden his reach, both politically and musically.
As the controversy unfolds, Dan Lu remains at the center of attention, with many eagerly watching how his career will evolve amid political tensions.
