K40m needed for Gidess’ US tour 

Almost K40 million is needed for Gidess Chalamanda’s US tour to materialise.

Chalamanda’s dream of performing in America will turn into reality in July when he tours the US where he is scheduled to perform at three venues including Malawi’s Independence Day celebrations.

According to the Wazelezeka duo of Edgar ndi Davis who are fronting the tour, the whole delegation of about 14 people will need quite a substantial amount of money to and from America.

Davis Njovu said money needed is about K40 million because Chalamanda will travel with the band and because they have also loped in Patience Namadingo.

“As such, we are continuing with fundraising shows in order to hit the target. People are still making pledges and it is difficult to tell how much we have and has been pledged until we have sat down and calculated. We will announce in due course most likely by the end of March all the monetary support we have made through an interim report,” said Njovu.

Chalamanda’s next fundraising show on March 26 at Gymkhana Club in Zomba. Njovu said there are also plans to hold another show in Mzuzu and more activities aimed at raising funds.

“We will have a golf tournament in April specifically targeting the corporate world, then SMS competitions, dinner and other activities,” he said.

Asked on what the team will do in the event that they have collected more than the target, he said: “I am sure we are going to get a surplus and in the event that we do, we will turn to others in need of help apart from Gidess. The idea is that the elderly like him are helped. Of course, he will be the priority. The fundraising will continue in the US and whatever we will collect there, Gidess will donate to others.”

So far, entrepreneurs Mike Chilewe last week pledged K1 million for Gidess’ air ticket while Mike Mlombwa pledged another K1 million kwacha.  Lilongwe alone, slightly close to K2 million was pledged.