Ndife Amodzi benefit concerts raise K600 000
The Ndife Amodzi benefit concerts, held simultaneously in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu last weekend, raised over K600 000 (US$1 333) for flood victims across Malawi.
An initiative by the members of the arts industry in conjunction with government and the private sector, the Ndife Amodzi benefit concerts were a unified response to the loss of life caused by the floods and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Malawians.
However, the concerts were hit by low turnout, with Lilongwe in particular having more foreigners than Malawians at the show at Sunbird Capital.
“Our attendance numbers for the events were lower than we had hoped. It would have been great to have seen more people come out and support the cause, but the money that we did raise and the awareness created around the plight of the flood victims is still a significant contribution,” explained Jam Kaunda, chief executive officer of Zanzi Entertainment.
The concerts featured performances from Lucius Banda, George Kalukusha, Menes, Adrian Kwelepeta, Smooth Groovers, Rainmaker, Lily Banda, Young Chilaga and the Black Survivors, Kamuzu Barracks, Tay Grin, Tron, Martha Mituka, Stanley Nthenga, WalikoMakhala, Edgar ndi Davis, TiwongeHango, Davie Kampala, DyghtonMbewe, Favoured Martha, Princess Chitsulo, WycliffChimwendo, Menes, Soul Raiders, Lusibilo Band and Mibawa Band.
Malawi Red Cross Society received the funds raised from the events and provided collection points at each venue for clothes or goods.
“We thank the NdifeAmodzi team for the effort. Words fail us on how we can appreciate this gesture. May God bless them abundantly,” said Patrick Phiri, programme manager of the Disease Prevention and Resource Mobilisation Department of the Malawi Red Cross Society.
In another interview Nkhwachi Mhango, one of the organisers of the Blantyre concert, told The Nation that they had made K81 000 (US$180 out of which K45 000 (US$100) went to Red Cross and the remaining money was used for logistics, including security. Mibawa footed K100 000 for the hall.
Noticing that they had not made much money as they had anticipated, Mibawa donated K300 000 (US$667) towards the flood victims.
According to Gift of Givers programme officer Virginia Mandala, the money might not look substantial, it will still cater for five families with each family package costing K20 000 (US$44).
“It might seem like a drop in an ocean, but the little that has been raised by these concerts will make a difference. The gesture alone sends a message to the victims that someone out there is thinking about them during this time,” said Mandala.
