Musician Namadingo has launched a campaign to raise funds for the repatriation of Malawians from South Africa currently being held at Old Drive-In camp in Durban.
The artist said he targets to raise K1 billion from the initiative, which is being co-coordinated by Gold Mountain Media company owned by music producer Tapps Bandawe.
Namadingo, who is currently at the camp in South Africa to appreciate the situation on the ground, made the initial donation of K2 million towards the campaign whose funds are being donated through the website fundmalawi.uk.nf.
In a video clip made from the camp, the musician said he was astonished by the conditions that Malawians are living under in the camp.
Together, we can
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He said: “There is no designated sleeping space. I made efforts to come here and appreciate the situation first hand so that we can transmit that energy into something meaningful.”
The artist further said the conditions at the camp shows that people have gone days without taking a bath and are suffering.
In an interview yesterday, the Mtendere hit-maker said the initiative aims to compliment efforts being undertaken by the government, civil society organisations and other individuals.
He said the money raised will be sent towards another initiative being championed by writer and social media influencer Stanley Onjezani Kenani.
Namadingo said: “Every kwacha counts. Together, we can help our fellow Malawians return home safely.
“Ever y cont r ibution, regardless of size, will help provide resources towards assisting fellow Malawians in returning safely to their families.”
In an interview, Bandawe said the donation system is designed to make the support clear, quick and visible.
He said: “People are being asked to visit the page, enter the amount they want to give, continue to payment and then choose the available payment route.
“Once the donation is confirmed, the system records the donation, updates
public totals and can generate a thank-you experience for the supporter.”
Malawi High Commissioner to South Africa Stella Ndau said it is difficult to estimate the number of Malawians at the camp as more people continue to arrive daily.
Other artists such as Kell Kay and Loiso have also made their contributions towards efforts to repatriate Malawians from South Africa.
Last week, Loiso made a K1 million donation while Kell Kay donated K5 million.
“With everything that my Malawian brothers and sisters are going through in South Africa, I have spent the past few days donating towards food and other essentials in the camp. We will keep mobilising resources to meet their needs as they make their way to Malawi,” he said.
