Dr Namadingo going for Africa

Musician Patience Namadingo has soared in the year 2020. From his charity works to his mash-up collaborations with various artists, Namadingo literally owned 2020. It is, therefore, not surprising that all the milestones that he has  hit have been capped by a recognition of an honourary doctorate degree in community development by the University of South Africa (Unisa). Namadingo was presented with the award at a ceremony which took place last Saturday in South Africa.

Our Staff Reporter BRIAN ITAI caught up with Namadingo on his award.

Q

: Congratulations on your recognition by Unisa through the doctorate degree awarded to you. How does it make you feel?

A

: Well, it feels good to be recognised, especially when you were not specifically working to gain such recognition but you were just someone who was watching from a distance. So, when you receive such recognition, you feel appreciated, and when you feel appreciated you do more. So, to answer your question, I feel great and honoured.

Q

: Through your engagement with Unisa, did you learn how they decided to honour you?

A

: When Unisa contacted me, they told me they had been following my activities in Malawi, specifically my humanitarian activities. They said they were told by some Namibians about the work that I was doing. After that, some Namabian citizens nominated me to be in line for the honour without my knowledge. So, when the nomination got to Unisa, their interest in me grew and they followed me for a while. Eventually they were convinced with my activities and they decided to honour my work.

Q

: What was your immediate reaction when the first approach about this offer was made?

A

:To be honest at first I thought it was a joke. I thought it was not true. Unisa is an institution of high repute in the world. And to receive such communication from them was unbelievable and too good to be true.

Q

:  Did you ever imagine that the different initiatives that you were involved in would earn you such a recognition?

A

: No! The truth is no. I never imagined anything like that. Not even in my wildest dreams.

Q

: What has been the biggest inspiration behind all these humanitarian interventions that you have been doing?

A

: The biggest inspiration has been being able to impact lives on a deeper level other than just singing. Not that you don’t impact lives through singing. I am a musician and that is my job and I entertain people and it gives them pleasure. But when I go beyond just offering entertainment, now that is a huge inspiration. That drives me to do more. I want to be more to people’s lives and I want to impact them more in their lives and it gives me satisfaction when I see people’s pain go away when I am that instrument that brings a smile on their faces. I am a very emotional being and I just have to tap into the deep end where it gives me pleasure to see people happy.

Q

: Given the direction you have taken, are we not likely going to see something like Dr Namandingo Foundation very soon?

A

: Well, I cannot really say right now. Together with my team, we have got plans but unconfirmed as they are, we cannot say anything right now. I will come back to you very soon should something crop up.

Q

: How are you balancing  the charity work you are doing with your music career?

A

: It is evident enough that the balance has been so good. My team and I have done so great. 2020 has been our year. We have done a lot in terms of charity work but at the same time, we have also managed to put out hit songs that people have enjoyed. This includes the milestone we managed to achieve in getting the song Mapulani hit one million views on YouTube. It is also the year where we did the mash-up project which got good reviews too. So, the management has been well balanced.

Q

: The year 2020, is it the best for the Namadingo brand?

A

: There has never been a better year than 2020 for the Namadingo brand. 2020 has been our year that is why we also adopted the hashtag ThisIsOurYear.

Q

: Recently you expressed interest to go and study at the University of Malawi (Unima). Where are you with that pursuit now?

A

: At this point I am just okay. Whether I study at Chancellor College or not is just okay with me. To go and study is a good thing and for those people who have the chance to study there it is a beautiful thing. Everybody would love to study at a consitituent college of Unima. If I am meant to study there, you will see me studying there, if I am not meant to, then you won’t see me.

Q

: So, what are the plans for the Namadingo brand as we slowly approach 2021?

A

: We have a whole working plan for the year 2021. We now want to have a visible presence in Africa. As you have seen, we have a footprint in the Sadc region but we want to make sure that by mid-2021 we have a visible presence in the whole of Africa. We are planning to achieve that and we will. The plan is to move forward, make more beautiful music that represents us as a people, as Malawians and music that portrays our culture in good light.