{{Short description|Malawian gospel artist}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Grace Chinga | birth_name = Grace Chinga Moffat | birth_date = {{Birth date|1978|06|28|df=y}} | birth_place = Blantyre, Malawi | death_date = {{death date and age|2016|03|17|1978|06|28|df=y}} | genre = Gospel music | occupation = Musician<br> songwriter | years_active = 1999–2016 | spouse = | partner = Miracle Chinga }}
'''Grace Chinga Moffat''' or simply '''''Grace Chinga''''' (28 June 1978 – 17 March 2016), was a Malawian gospel singer, songwriter and vocalist.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=MLOZI |first=HOWARD |date=2016-04-15 |title=Lessons from Grace Chinga’s death {{!}} The Nation Online |url=https://mwnation.com/lessons-from-grace-chingas-death/,%20https://mwnation.com/lessons-from-grace-chingas-death/ |access-date=2024-03-18 |language=en-US }}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-02-21 |title=Grace Chinga’s biography on the cards |url=https://news.mijmw.com/grace-chingas-biography-on-the-cards/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi Institute of Journalism |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bisani |first=Luke |date=2016-03-17 |title=Grace Chinga's death shocks Malawians Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2016/03/17/grace-chingas-death-shocks-malawians/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref> She released her debut studio album titled ''Uleke'' (Stop) in 2004 that had a hit song titled ''Thandizo Langa'' (My help) which made her gain national recognition. In 2009, Chinga released her third studio album titled ''Udzayimba Nyimbo'' (You'll sing a song) before releasing the fourth studio album titled Esther in 2016.
A book was published about Chinga soon after she died in 2016.<ref>https://allafrica.com/stories/201603180440.html</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=MLOZI |first=HOWARD |date=2024-02-11 |title=Chinga’s autobiography set for publication {{!}} The Nation Online |url=https://mwnation.com/chingas-autobiography-set-for-publication/,%20https://mwnation.com/chingas-autobiography-set-for-publication/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en-US }}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
== Background ==
=== Early life === Chinga was born in Blantyre on 28 June 1978. She attended her primary and secondary school in Lilongwe.<ref name=":0" />
=== Death === Chinga died on Wednesday of 16 March 2016 after a short illness as reported by Chris Suya, the husband of the gospel artist, Thoko Suya.<ref>https://allafrica.com/stories/201603180441.html</ref> She was confirmed dead upon arrival at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Blantyre.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-19 |title=Grace Chinga laid to rest: Daughter sings goodbye to her ‘angel’ in tears - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi |url=https://www.nyasatimes.com/grace-chinga-laid-to-rest-daughter-sings-goodbye-to-her-angel-in-tears/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=www.nyasatimes.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> After Chinga's death, thousand of people attended the funeral ceremony and some gathered at her family's house in Chilobwe. She was buried at HHI Cemetery in Blantyre but the funeral ceremony was held at Robin's Park. Her funeral ceremony was covered by major media houses in Malawi including Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Times group, Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation, National Publications Limited Joy Radio, MIJ FM, Capital radio. <ref name=":0" /> Some of the notable high-profile people that paid their condolences to the family of Chinga included former President of Malawi, Peter Mutharika, as well as former president, Joyce Banda.<ref name=":0" /> Other notable figures were the former Minister of Sports and Culture of Malawi, Grace Chiumia and the president of Musicians Union of Malawi, Chiwemmwe Mhango. Other artists that attended the funeral included Princess Chitsulo, Billy Kaunda and Lucius Banda among others.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-17 |title=Grace Chinga’s death is shocking: Malawi top gospel singer - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi |url=https://www.nyasatimes.com/grace-chingas-death-is-shocking-malawi-top-gospel-singer/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=www.nyasatimes.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==== Aftermath ==== Soon after Chinga's death, many musicians in Malawi started changing, dubbing and copying her music style and songs, modifying where possible.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MLOZI |first=HOWARD |date=2016-03-24 |title=Pirates pounce on Grace Chinga’s new music {{!}} The Nation Online |url=https://mwnation.com/pirates-pounce-on-grace-chingas-new-music/,%20https://mwnation.com/pirates-pounce-on-grace-chingas-new-music/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en-US }}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> After matters where reported to the authorities that were responsible to handle the issues, there were some challenges that occurred as Chinga had not assign her music yet to the country's copyright protection organisation, COSOMA.<ref name=":0" /> Senior licensing officer, Rosario Kamanga, said that she told Chinga to register her songs to the organisation but Chinga had not yet decided.<ref name=":0" />
In October 2021, Chinga's tombstone was vandalised at Henry Henderson Institute (HHI) cemetery in Blantyre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Malawi24 |date=2021-10-22 |title=Grace Chinga’s tombstone vandalised Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2021/10/22/grace-chingas-tombstone-vandalised/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Music career === Chinga started her music career in 1998 when she was in the choir group called All Angels Choir where she provided the lead vocals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mkhutche |first=Wonderful |date=2016-03-16 |title=Ladies and gentlemen, Malawi's Queen of Gospel music is back! Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2016/03/16/ladies-gentlemen-gospel-queen-back/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == Chinga was married to Rodger Moffat, who died in June 2019 at the aged of 53.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2019-06-05 |title=Tributes pour in for late Grace Chinga's ex-husband Rodger Moffat Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2019/06/05/tributes-pour-in-for-late-grace-chingas-ex-husband-rodger-moffat/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref> Together, they are survived by three children, names Steve Spesho,Miracle Chinga and Israel chinga who are also gospel singers.<ref name=":0" />
== See also == * Princess Chitsulo * Thoko Katimba
== References == {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chinga, Grace Moffat}} Category:1978 births Category:2016 deaths Category:Malawian singers Category:People from Blantyre Category:Malawian songwriters Category:21st-century Malawian women singers Category:Malawian women pop singers Category:The UMP Awards winners Category:Malawian singer-songwriters Category:Musicians from Blantyre Category:20th-century Malawian musicians