Gospel musician Patience Namadingo has postponed his much-awaited big walk to one of the country’s referral hospitals, Queen Elizabeth Central, in Blantyre to pave the way for President Peter Mutharika who on the same day will be opening the 2017 Malawi International Trade Fair at Chichiri Trade Fair Grounds.
Namadingo said in an interview that his team felt compelled to postpone the big walk because, among other things, the President will be using the same route which is the Masauko Chipembere Highway.
“It was not going to be workable to have the big walk on the same day that the President is opening the International Trade Fair at Chichiri Grounds. Moreover, both events were slated to start at the same time,” he disclosed.
Namadingo, therefore, said the big walk, whose main aim is to raise awareness about cancer, will take place on Saturday, June 3, from 9am.
He said they will walk from Kamuzu Stadium upper ground to the hospital to hand over money while wearing special T-shirts designed for the day as one way of raising awareness of the cancer illness, especially among children.
On the progress of preparations and T-shirt sales for the day, the gospel star said so far so good and that everything is going on well.
Over a month ago, the Msati Mseke hit maker launched an initiative to raise money for the cancer children’s ward at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, targeting 40 days of performances in offices and social places.
“Initially, we were estimating to make K5 million, but we have ended up making over K11 million,” said Namadingo.
The cancer children’s ward, among other things, is congested and lacks basic equipment necessary for treatment.
Namadingo will hand over the dummy cheque of the money he raised as well as other gifts after the big walk.
Among the places Namadingo visited to raise the money are Parliament, Malawi Communications Regulatory Aiuthority (Macra), Airtel Malawi, TNM and Nation Publications Limited (NPL) offices and Cockpit Lounge in Lilongwe . n
