Patience launches Namadingo Foundation
Artist of the moment Patience Namadingo launched his eagerly-awaited Namadingo Foundation at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre no Saturday
The artist said the foundation is an initiative to complement government’s efforts in promoting education of vulnerable youth in the country.
Namadingo, alongside his manager Tonderai Banda, marked the official launch of the foundation by donating assorted items to patients at QECH.
Speaking during launch, Namadingo said government alone cannot turn the dreams of millions of Malawians into a reality; hence, his intervention.
“The challenges Malawi is currently facing require everyone’s action to be alleviated. Government or Namadingo Foundation alone cannot solve them. We should forget about change if we keep on relying on one individual or government to bring the much needed transformation in our lives,” he said.
The Msati Mseke artist noted that despite education being a key to unlocking Malawi’s potential, most Malawians, especially vulnerable groups in remote areas, do not have access to education.
“Lack of income, coupled with deaths of parents or guardians is having a negative impact on education of young people in the country. Aids has created a generation of orphaned children who are being denied the right to access education. As a result, Malawi continues to be poor due to a small ducated population which can contribute to the development process through innovations and entreprenurship ventures,” he said, adding that an educated population is a capital which can turn around Malawi’s fortunes.
Apart from directly financing education of bright needy students, the foundation will fund small initiatives by community-based organisations and individuals that seek to promote the education of vulnerable groups.
On the source of funding for running the foundation, Banda said the artist’s music will be bankrolling most of the activities.
“Music is a lucrative business to those who embrace it as an investment. Since Namadingo is a hot brand now, he is capable of generating resources through bookings and corporate support,” said Banda.
He said artists have a role to play to ensure that Malawi is unchained from the shackles of poverty.
“The little artists such as Namadingo realise from music performances can make a difference in lives of vulnerable young people,” he said.
Marking the launch of the foundation was a donation of assorted items to patients at QECH’s Ward 6A.
“Most men are breadwinners in Malawi. So, when they fall sick their homes suffer the most. This is the reason why our donation targeted the male patients to give moral support during the trying moment,” said Namadingo.
