Giddes gets active on social media: Malawi legendary musician’s ‘Coming to America’ tour nears
In the age of social media, octogenarian and legendary Malawian musician Giddes Chalamanda, is not be left behind!
In a bid to garner support from fans and well-wishers for the upcoming Giddes Chalamanda ‘Coming to America Tour’ and the fundraising shows that are currently taking place in Malawi, the 86 year old, with support from the team of organizers for the tour, has taken to social media and is creating more waves than most young Malawian artists have done in years.
Generating a rapidly growing followership on his recently opened Facebook page, the old man is proof that when it comes to capitalizing on what social media platforms have to offer, there is absolutely no age limit.
Building on the success of the Facebook page (Giddes Chalamanda), Giddes also now has an Instagram page and a Twitter account (@giddess2016) where fans can interact with him, get updates on the fundraising shows as well as get updates on progress being made on the trip to America.
It has been Giddes’s lifelong dream to go to America and perform his music there. As a token of appreciation for his lifelong contribution to music in Malawi, a group of dynamic well-wishers based in Malawi and America have taken it upon themselves to ensure that with the support of the general public, Giddes’s dream becomes a reality.
Giddes is expected to travel to America in July accompanied by Patience Namadingo alongside Wazalezeka duo and longtime Chalamanda collaborators Edgar ndi Davis.
So far, through the Blantyre fundraising show that took place on the 5th of March, renowned business man Mike Chilewe pledged to pay for a return air ticket and give $500 pocket money for the trip to Giddes and $200 pocket money to Patience Namadingo.
Another business man, Mike Mlombwa, pledged MKW 1 million towards expenses for the trip.
If the response from fans and well-wishers on the social media platforms is anything to go by, Giddes’s the next two fundraising shows scheduled for capital Hotel in Lilongwe on the 12th of March and Gymkhana club are set to be big hits.
The fundraising committee seeks to raise $32 000 (about K23 million) to ensure Chalamanda and his crew fly to the USA in July for a number of performances.
86, wow gud lucky on ve tour
‘napolo’ osakaiwala a GIDDE amandwaza chomene ndilibe chokupatsani Mulungu yekha akutsogolereni basi
Yeah! Honarary PhD could deservedly go to Giddie 100 percent. Not to the undeserving.
Kuchita kusidzila maso eeh mwambo wakedi eeh
agiddes nyimbo zanu zimandimaliza (1000) yokha tikutumizilzni
Honorary Degree Munapatsa ajawa mukanampatsa mzee yu.
A Giddes! A Giddes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’ choncho – choncho!!!!!!!!
Buffalo Sojaaaaaaa ——– wanna go to America!!!!!!!!
God bless — your songs make us happy????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!
ndikanakhala ndi chuma I cud hav helped u, I luv yo songs alot nanji ya emeli ija. my prayers r wth u!!! o the best
Mwana wa mmudzi alemekezeke. Nthawi yake yomwe chauta mwini moyo anapeleka! Amen.
Osamalemekeza munthu akafa. Infact ameneyu ndi Hero, Podzisunga ngati munthu wotchuka kufikira kukalamba. He is the leaving custodian of Malawi music. He deserves a page in Malawi books.