Veteran musician Giddes Chalamanda entered 2013 in grand style performing with Edgar ndi Davis Band at Club XL in Blantyre on Monday.

The artist who is in his 80s but still strong thanked God for favours soon after he entered the New Year.

"I am happy that I am still strong. Most of my colleagues are no more but God has shown me His favours and here I am still alive and still singing," said the 'Che Meli,' hit maker.

He said as long as he is alive, he will continue to sing and give his fans his vibes. He hailed Edgar ndi Davis Band for the support.

"I am still a bitter person because for all my exploits I am still poor but I thank Edgar ndi Davis Band for their continued support. I have managed to be part of several performances and linked with people throughout the country because of the shows they organise. On my own I could not have managed," said the veteran musician who hails from Chiradzulu.

Giddes said he is still strong because he is always working to keep his body fit.

"I am a farmer and whenever I am not performing then I am in the garden. So I work hard in the garden and that makes me strong," he said.

During the performance on Monday, Edgar ndi Davis Band performed one of the songs which appreciate the talent of the veteran musician. The song is titled 'Chalamanda.'

"I just want to wish all Malawians a Happy New Year and thank them for the support they have given me throughout 2012. My promise to them is that I will do my best in my work, give them my best vibes as long as I am still alive," Chalamanda said.

Njobvu said it was important for them to host the show and at the same time to bring on board Giddes so that he could wind up the year with his fans.

The musician is renowned for such songs as 'Liny,' and 'Che Meli.' Through support from Edgar ndi Davis, Giddes managed to launch an album Ka Nkanda Ka Mwana.

Giddes who was nicknamed Tholo in his youthful days revealed last year that he was a boxer when he was in Zimbabwe and that he fought several fights before he dumped the sport to concentrate on music.

"I know a lot of people do not know that I used to be a boxer when I was in Zimbabwe. I was a fierce boxer but I decided it was not a good sport for me so I stopped," he said.

Giddes left the country for Zimbabwe in the 1950s where he went to work before returning back in the 1960s and went straight into music.