At the height of his career, he launched charity drives donating school shoes to the underprivileged, food parcels, sanitary towels, and at one point helped out a family whose home had burned down.
Because he didn’t go far with his schooling, he also contributed to paying for the school and university fees of many students from his hometown.
This is after his career took off with the release of his first single Via Orlando.
But recently Dr Goodwill Malinga has opened up about his financial woes and owing the South African Revenue Services over R500 000.
The Ngikwenzeni singer revealed how SARS had wiped his home clean and auctioned his furniture and belongings worth R500 000 and he is the one now looking for help.
“I helped people out not looking for anything in return,” he tells Drum.
“I believe the little I have, I should share. In life, there are ups and down. But Covid-19 was the main reason for losing my belongings,” he says.
He was already not doing great, but when the pandemic started, things got worse for Dr Malinga and his family.
“There were no gigs and no money coming in. I felt useless, like a used piece of chewing gum.”
When he tried to apply for the artist relief fund, Dr Malinga says he did not receive a response.
“I did not even receive a food hamper. My wife was pregnant with Lingos and Legends. We did not have medical aid and we were scared to even go to public hospitals. I was scared of my kids' health,” he says.
Luckily, his sister paid for the private hospital for his twins.
“Things became rough. I lost my furniture worth R500 000. SARS came and took my car and my furniture, right down to the fridge and microwave. I had nothing. I watched them auction everything off for R100 000,” he says.
“I was there at the auction hoping someone would help to buy my stuff back. That didn’t happen. I reached out to people for help, some of whom I had helped in the past and industry friends, but no one was there,” he says.
Dr Malinga says he felt lonely during this time.
“I always prioritize people, but it is true that givers do not always receive.”
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Dr Malinga says he reached out for help from colleagues and to the arts and culture minister, Nathi Mthethwa but nobody could assist.
"I called Minister Nathi Mthethwa, we spoke,“ he says.
“I needed help and not advice on how to save my belongings. Luckily, I did not lose my home. My family still has a roof over their head.”
The father of four says he was never reckless with money, he does not drink nor smokes.
“I can’t say that I blew my money on alcohol, smoking, or women. But maybe there were some bad mistakes here and there. I haven’t changed my lifestyle. I don’t brag and I don’t drink or smoke.”
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Since opening up, Dr Malinga has received donations from music industry friends such as Oskido, Black Coffee, and Julius Malema and he has secured some bookings.
“The bookings are coming in. Makhadzi booked me for her one-woman show in October. People are fighting for me to be booked. I am so grateful,” he says.
“There are funds coming into the account. I was moved when I saw people depositing as little as R10, wondering how much that person has for them to sacrifice their last money to help me. Other people are sending messages of encouragement and I am so grateful and believe we will raise enough through gigs and the donations,” he says.
“I am so grateful to MacG and his podcast, the Chillers for hearing my story, and for the love and support. People have even offered to fix my website, after seeing that it was down. They are sharing my status and asking people to book me. They know I am talented. It’s just that things did not go well, and God sent people to show me love.”
Dr Malinga says, he has managed to raise R100 0000.
“I know we will get to the R500 0000.”
Dr Malinga says, as rumoured on social media, he did not receive half a million from DJ Black Coffee.
“People are already making up stories. I plan to be very transparent because this is money from supporters and we are still working towards the R500 000, we still need R400 000.”
Dr Malinga says once his debt is settled, he plans to continue to help people through his foundation.
“I do not want it to end with me, I plan to help other people like me,” he says.
“I wish to continue to help put young people through should school and help because I know what it is like to need help.”
Dr Malinga says this experience has also motivated him to release new music.
“I have a song with Kabza the Small coming out soon and two other singles titled Somandla Ukuphi and Ngiyabonga Nkosi Yami.”
