Oliver Mtukudzi to raise malaria awareness in Malawi

Zimbabwe’s superstar, Oliver Mtukudzi, will from 31 October to 2 November perform live shows in Malawi’s main cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe to raise awareness of the country’s ongoing malaria campaign, APA learnt here Tuesday.

Deputy Director of the local Malaria Control Programme, John Chiphwanya, confirmed to APA that Mtukudzi was coming to have series of concerts in the country’s capital and the southern commercial city of Blantyre.

"Malawi is one of the countries in the region which has been hard-hit by the disease, mainly among children of under-five and pregnant mothers. Therefore, Oliver is coming to raise awareness about the dangers of the disease among the people," he said.

According to the organiser of the events, Petros Kubwalo, Mtukudzi is coming at the invitation of the Malaria Awareness Campaign in the country.

He said the country was approaching rainy season when malaria cases are very high. "With his malaria messages people would listen to him," he added.

Mtukudzi tour follows that of South African superstar Yvonne Chaka Chaka, who is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador for malaria, who was in the country recently to launch the malaria campaign.

Among other types of treatment, the campaign has placed great emphasis on the use of medically treated mosquito bed nets to stop the deadly disease, which kills an African child every 30 seconds.