Che Nkope flown to SA: Malawi govt spends K6 million
Ministry of Health has flown renowned radio personality and musician, Nicholas Mbonela popularly known as Che Nkope for his comic radio skit, to South Africa for medical treatment.
Mbonela has been diagnosed with Cardiogenic shock, a condition in which the heart fails to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
Government’s efforts to assist him follows President Peter Mutharika’s pledge for the broadcaster also known as Nthumwi Nikodemo to get best medical treatment outside the country.
Minister of Information, Kondwani Nankhumwa confirmed to Nyasa Times that Mbonela has left the country for South Africa Monday morning.
Government will spend over K6 million for Mbonela’s treatment, thus both medical bill and flight costs.
Namkhumwa said: “The ministry of health facilitated his trip following the pledge by the President. We don’t know how long he will be there but we hope he will get the best medical attention for his problem.”
Mbonela was once admitted to Blantyre Adventist Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) pending for medical treatment outside the country particularly in India or South Africa.
Namkhumwa said government came to Mbonela’s rescue considering the role he plays as a journalist and a musician.
Last month Malawi Institute of Journalism (Mij) organized a fundraising show through which comedian Michael ‘Manganya’ Usi bought Mbonela’s Che Nkope CD at a price over K200,000 while Nankhumwa bought it at K100,000.
