2024 Annual Newsletter
Empowering Malawian artists through innovative distribution, education, and community building – reflecting on a year of growth, digital transformation, and musical excellence
COO’s Remarks
“2024 has been such a pivotal year for Newwave! I’m incredibly grateful for my team, who continue to show up in ways that the industry could never fully repay—despite owing the game nothing at all.
The most memorable highlight for me was our first independent national project, Ntchito za Manja Anga. It not only showcased our capabilities but also helped me realize the strength of our network. From the diverse pool of speakers to the equally diverse community of attendees, it was clear that we are all committed to building the best possible music industry.
While I don’t pick favorites, I have to say the music we distributed this year was truly beautiful—a collection of songs that felt deeply personal and impactful. It was clear that many people shared this sentiment, as reflected in the 2024 Spotify Wrapped data, which featured numerous Malawian artists and tracks.
For the first time, we had rich data to guide our strategies, and this has already helped us improve our processes in meaningful ways.
The industry is changing—as always—and we’re evolving with it. Our clients brought their A-game this year, and we had to step up to match their energy by creating more efficient systems and investing in research. One of our most ambitious goals has been to find ways to pay back composers whose works have been recreated for decades without royalties—a massive challenge, but one we are determined to solve.
The future looks incredibly exciting—new spaces, new clients, and more albums on the horizon (yes, they sound amazing!). We’re also hopeful for an international stamp of approval from one of the most prominent music publishing societies in the world. Achieving this will be a significant milestone in shaping the future of Malawian music publishing.
As we close out 2024, I can confidently say that we’re just getting started. Thank you to everyone who supported us this year—our team, our clients, and the entire creative community. The best is yet to come!”
– Nthangwanika Kondowe
COO, Newwave Group
Our Projects
1. Ntchito Za Manja Anga
Ntchito za Manja Anga was a project aimed at empowering Malawian artists by providing them with knowledge and resources for copyright management, distribution, and revenue diversification.
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Through workshops in four cities, and the development of educational materials, the project was able to bridge the tech gap, re-energized traditional distribution, and promoted collaboration between corporate marketing and entertainers.
The project sought to reduce piracy, helped artists increase their revenue streams, and strengthened the entertainment industry infrastructure in Malawi. It aligned with the theme of post-pandemic recovery and focused on empowering artists and promoting their resilience in the face of challenges.
“Ntchito za Manja Anga” was selected as a successful project under the COSOMA Copyright Fund Grant.
2. Music Distribution and Publishing
2024 has been a game-changing year for NewWave! We had the privilege of distributing and publishing incredible music from some of the most exciting artists in the scene, including Teddy Makadi, Charisma Madness, Mazani, Beracah, Twnda and Synik.
From genre-defying beats to powerful lyrics, it’s been a year of pure sonic innovation.
3. Newwave in Events Curation
2024 wasn’t just a year, it was an experience. While challenges came our way, we were proud to help artists connect with their audiences on a deeper level. We curated unforgettable moments, including:
–Charisma & Quest Listening Session
– Charisma’s City Heist
– Mazani’s BT & LL Experiences
– Dark Shadow Poetry Event
– Kukopela Ayi Campaign
Each event was crafted to create a unique experience, bridging music, art, and community in ways that will be remembered long after the year ends.
4. Creating an Educational Website
Our biggest impact this year has definitely been the creation of the Ntchito za Manja educational website. This platform, dedicated to enriching knowledge about our music industry, has been translated into two languages: Chichewa and Tumbuka, making it more accessible to a wider audience across different regions.
The platform’s focus on key areas like copyright, distribution, publishing, and revenue diversification empowers musicians, producers, and industry professionals. It educates them on how to protect their intellectual property, maximize distribution channels, and effectively publish and monetize their music. Take a look here.
Our Dedicated Team
Yankho Likongwe – CEO
Yankho Likongwe is a dedicated staff at Newwave, known for his analytical precision to point out details and differences. His is a legal professional who is leading the way with innovative solutions establishing the Newwave Group as distributors and publishers through his love for music.
Daniel Mgawi – CTO
Daniel Mgawi is a dedicated staff member at Newwave, known for his passion and commitment to bringing ideas to life. He is the creative mind behind giving different brands a unique identity by incorporating technology into his solutions. Daniel serves as our head.
Mercy Diniwa – PRM
Mercy Diniwa is a dedicated staff member at Newwave Group, known for her passion for elevating brands. Mercy manages the public relations for all our clients. She is our body.
Lovemore Chanza – SMM
Lovemore Chanza is a dedicated staff member at Newwave, known for his passion and commitment to curating content and telling compelling stories. Lovemore is the creative force behind all the content we produce, effectively showcasing our brand in the best way possible. He is our hands.
Kelvin Kamphandira – HoD
Kelvin Kamphandira is a dedicated staff member at Newwave Group. He oversees our distribution operations and supports the communications team with media relations. He is our leg.
Milestones:
– Newwave remains dedicated to providing seamless distribution and publishing services to our clients.
– Our artist, Teddy Makadi, won Best R’n’B Act 2024 at the MASO Awards.
– Our educational material for NZMA is available online, visit learn@newwave.mw.
– We won NXT Gen Accelerator App Factory with our in-house project Newwave Xpress
NEWWAVE GROUP
www.newwave.mw
hello@newwave.mw
