Namadingo celebrates successful fundraising venture

Musician Patience Namadingo on Wednesday met music student William Kachigamba for the first time where he assured him that all his medical treatment expenses will be met.

The 21-year-old Kachigamba was diagnosed with cancer and requires  radiotherapy treatment at a cancer hospital in Zambia.

In an interview on Wednesday, Namadingo said he had raised over K3.3 million but would only be able to tell how much was raised in total after collecting donations made through Worldremit, Moneygram, Western Union and Mukuru.

“I am filled with a feeling of possibilities. The moment we reached the target I felt satisfied,” said Namadingo.

He said he took on the challenge knowing that any amount that he would have raised represented victory.

Namadingo also pointed out that Kachigamba is going to Zambia for cancer treatment because Malawi currently does not have exclusive cancer hospitals.

“Maybe it’s time government stepped up its efforts to have the facility constructed in Malawi. In a way, it would lessen the burden that is there,” he added.

Reacting to the development in an open letter to President Lazarus Chakwera, who committed to top up the remaining balance, a certified anatomical pathologist and epidemiologist Tamiwe Tomoka said Malawi needs to strengthen the local Cancer Treatment Centres which have limited staff members and limited equipment.

“The centres only provide limited chemotherapy treatment. The majority of our patients have advanced stages of cancer and would benefit from radiotherapy treatment which we do not offer currently,” she said.

Namadingo said he would pay for Kachigamba’s medical expenses directly to the hospital.

“Other arrangements for the accommodation and travel for the patient and guardian will be made later,” he said.

Kachigamba caught Namadingo’s attention after he posted a video clip of himself playing Namadingo’s Mapulani and later explained that he was struggling with cancer and needed financial help to afford treatment in Zambia.

He is a music student at Music Crossroads in Lilongwe learning to play a guitar and other musical instruments.