Music concert raises K2.5 million for flood survivors
A concert held on Sunday afternoon at Capital Hotel Marquee raised K2.5 million for flood survivors.
The amount includes K1.5 million which was donated by real estate dealers Atlas Realtors who had pledged to donate the proceeds of the sale of a plot towards the cause. Once the sale was completed the company lived up to its word to complement the proceeds from the show.
Organiser of the show Levi Msakambewa hailed the gesture by Atlas Realtors who went one better by reversing their initial pledge which indicated that they would donate half of the amount of the plot sale and instead remitted the whole K1.5 million towards the cause.
He said though the turnup was not what they expected, the pledges and donations that various people made helped to increase significantly proceeds from the show.
Among other individuals who made donations and pledges were Tobacco Commission chief executive officer Chidanti Malunga who bought a promotional hotel room at K200 000 and gave it back to the organisers.
Lawyer Bright Theu, South African businessperson Alfonso Thawe, a Mr Jeff and Thembi Chisale all made cash donations. Musician Mlaka Maliro, who made a surprise appearance on stage, also pledged K100 000.
Msakambewa said: “Malawi has always been a giving nation. Just like we respond when we lose our loved ones, this time of floods requires us to respond in a way that will make a difference in the lives of those affected as per tradition.”
Atlas Realtors senior sales and marketing officer Laurent Kwakwala said their organisation has been touched by the way Malawians have been affected by floods in different places of the country.
“When they approached us we agreed that we will share half of the proceeds between us. But after looking at how our fellow Malawians are struggling, we have decided to give the whole 100 percent to them,” he said.
Almost 20 artists took to the Capital Hotel platform to sing for the cause during an event which was also accessed virtually. On the list of performers there was a surprise inclusion of one-time music darling Maliro who didn’t appear on the initial list.
Donning his trademark designer suits, Maliro took music fans down the memory lane when he dished out some of his old favourites such as Dzanja Lalemba and Maloto. Joining up with Skeffa Chimoto on stage, the now Eswatini-based pastor showed he is still a force to reckon with.
He said in a post-performance interview: “I went to the show just to watch and then Skeffa invited me on stage. It was great seeing how people are hungry for my music. It has encouraged to organise my own show soon.”
