Malebo: Story behind the viral nickname in pastor Faustine Munishi’s song

• Pastor Faustine Munishi’s song “Namlilia Malebo” has remained popular for over 14 years due to its powerful real-life message
• Wilfred Hasani Munisi, known as Malebo, revealed how he and the pastor grew up together and the impact Munishi had on his life
• Hasani also explained how he earned the nickname “Malebo,” which was given to him by his friend and brother-in-law, Munishi

Pastor Faustine Munishi’s song “Namlilia Malebo”, released about 14 years ago, has stood the test of time.

In recent years, many have related to it because of the powerful message portrayed in the song, which tells the story of Munishi’s friend Malebo, a man who struggled with alcohol and drug abuse.

The song, based on a real-life story, shows Munishi pleading with his close friend to change his ways and embrace salvation, but he remained reluctant throughout.

Years later, Wilfred Hasani Munisi, the man behind the name Malebo, has broken his silence, sharing details of his relationship with the pastor and how he got the nickname.

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Where did Malebo and Munishi meet?

In an interview with Pazia TV, Malebo narrated that they grew up in the same area as Munishi and even attended the same primary school.

However, Munishi was ahead of him in class despite being younger, as Malebo often stayed at home herding goats.

After school, Pastor Munishi relocated to Dar es Salaam, where he worked as a shop attendant, while his friend worked in a hotel selling chapati and beans.

The 64-year-old man shared that Munishi helped him settle into city life and even bought him a sewing and printing machine.

He later left his hotel job and began earning a living using the machine, not knowing it would eventually become the source of his viral nickname.

What is the origin of the name “Malebo”?

“I got the name ‘Malebo’ when we were in Arusha working with a printing machine, where I used to brand names on bags, clothes, and other items. I used to put labels on people’s belongings,” he narrated.

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While doing this work, Munishi, whom he described as playful like an artist, started calling him “Malebo” because of his strong attachment to the machine.

“I used to work at the Arusha bus station, labelling people’s bags so they wouldn’t get stolen, and marking luggage for travellers so it could be easily identified and not lost or stolen,” he said.

The elderly man added that life during the administration of former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere was difficult, and many people struggled to survive.

Despite the challenges, they later moved from Arusha to Dar es Salaam, where he continued his labelling work.

However, the proceeds from the job eventually led him into alcohol abuse, which became the main reason his friend wrote the song, urging him to change after he himself became saved.

“Munishi even went to jail, and when he came out, he got saved and tried very hard to help me change. I eventually did, but it took time,” said Malebo.

Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS