tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10879455527407756372024-03-12T21:43:58.494-07:00Pius NyondoPius Nyondo is a Malawian writer, poet and online journalist. In 2012, he became the country's youngest person to win the First Merchant Bank Short Story Award - Malawi's most prestigious literary award for short fiction. Presently, he corresponds for www.nyasatimes.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-28174930710460671912013-09-25T01:59:00.003-07:002013-09-25T01:59:43.866-07:00Gov’t pressed to protect Tanzanian citizens living in Malawi<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Malawi government has been urged to protect Tanzanian citizens residing in the country who are now a target for mob justice following xenophobic attacks and the deportation of Malawians who were resident in Tanzania.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Police stabilizing the tension after some Malawians <br />wanted to attack Tanzanians on Monday.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“We strongly behold that all law abiding Tanzanian citizens like all people have the right to security,” a statement issued Monday by Mzuzu-based Youth and Society (YAS), Young Politicians Union (YPU) and Africa Enterprise Mission (AEM) which <i>Nyasa Times</i> has a copy reads in part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On Monday, Malawi woke up to a shocking development of violent deportation of Malawians from Tanzania. Over 30 Malawians camped at Mzuzu St. Andrew’s CCAP premises looking seriously victimized and destitute.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The statement – co-signed by Charles Kajoloweka, Peter Mumba and Tiyane Nyirenda of YAS, YPU and AEM respectively – asked government tighten up security in “some vulnerable parts of the country affected by the Crisis such as Mzuzu where tensions are rife” and also furnish the general public on the current happenings between the two countries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Malawians deserve to know the urgent measures their government is employing in dealing with the crisis,” the statement further said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But reacting to the development Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu said no Malawian living in Tanzania with legal documents has been deported.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Those who have been deported are those without legal documents [to stay in Tanzania],” Kunkuyu said Tuesday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But the government spokesperson decried the beatings on some of the Malawians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He said “we are only sad that some have been beaten up.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Kunkuyu brushed aside rumors going viral on social media that the deportation of Malawians from Tanzania is as a result of the misunderstanding between the two countries over the Lake Malawi border.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“The deportation of Malawians has nothing to do with the Lake Malawi border dispute. Actually, Tanzania has been so cooperative on the issue.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He added: “It is an exercise every country can conduct. It is not only Malawians that are being deported. Burundi, Rwanda and other countries have also been affected.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Kunkuyu warned the citizenry not to take the law into their hands by attacking Tanzanians living in the country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“That’s a responsibility of the Malawi government. No citizen can do that on his or her own,” he said.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-84420435915347630052013-09-08T05:57:00.000-07:002013-09-08T05:57:17.266-07:00Mnganya Mikayele Msowoya (My friend Mikayele Msowoya)<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By Pius Nyondo</span></span></div>
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Mikayele Maviyambewa Msowoya</div>
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Chikaya chake nipalapalapala</div>
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Pa Yotamu panena pala</div>
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Kula ku Mphompha</div>
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Doda lagona apa ili</div>
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Libenge kuti lichali kuthuta</div>
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Mphanyi ine nkhukhuta,</div>
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Nkhumwa na kubezera</div>
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Mphanyi ine ntchimwemwe perapera</div>
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Nkhuti bakaba banthu aba</div>
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Nyengo yila bakati bawerako waka ku Joni</div>
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Chiponde Mikayele Maviyambewa Msowoya?</div>
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Njani wakalekanga kubamanya?</div>
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Makopara bakiza nayo ndundundu</div>
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Ndipo tikakondwa nakumwa nabo</div>
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Kangala? Chipumu?</div>
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Yaye mwana wane tikamwanga tuwemituwemi</div>
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Ngati tula ukanigulilapo pa Lunzu</div>
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Akumbuka nyengo yila nkhiza ku Bulantayala</div>
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Kweni ha! Munyane uyu wagona apa uyu</div>
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Wakamba kuponya maso uku na uku</div>
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Wakamba kuzgeba na tumaswenga </div>
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Nkhumanya cha uko bakanjililanga</div>
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Nkhanjimweranga waka ine, mwana wane</div>
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Pachoko na pachoko bakamba kulwala </div>
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Tuvikhoso, kufumila</div>
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Tuvilonda pose na pose</div>
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Ulendo ukaba weneuwo</div>
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Ni aba bali kujigonela apa</div>
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Sono wati panyake yikaba Edzi?</div>
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Wamwana Edzi yifumelenge kochi mukaya nga ni muno?</div>
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Edzi yili ku boma na</div>
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Pa Rumphi pala</div>
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Pala pa Kanyika kusika kula</div>
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Tikumanya kuti ndiwe dokotala sono</div>
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Kweni pala ukukhumba kuti uwelele na umoyo</div>
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Nkhani ya Edzi iyi uyileke</div>
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Muleke mnganya Mikayele Maviyambewa Msowoya wapumulenge</div>
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Wamwana bakufwa bakwenera kupumula!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">---This poem was inspired by a true life story.</span></div>
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-68809442837850825262013-08-22T05:28:00.002-07:002013-08-22T05:28:59.866-07:00Political parties challenge Chakwera’s ‘popularity’: ‘It’s mere excitement,’ says UDF, PP, DPP<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Political parties in the country have described the popularity that has followed the Reverend Lazarus Chakwera due to his election as Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential candidate as “mere excitement” that will not translate into votes.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Although there has been no official survey to gauge Chakwera’s popularity, the social media and the public sphere has been awash with discussions that point to his and MCP’s increased popularity. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Speaking in separate interviews, People’s Party (PP), United Democratic Front (UDF) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have dismissed suggestions that Chakwera is gaining popularity.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Said UDF publicist Ken Ndanga: “When we [UDF] had a convention there was a lot of euphoria. The same thing with PP and DPP. So there is nothing new with Chakwera’s case. This is temporary excitement that will go away.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He said UDF is not threatened with Chakwera, stating that UDF has its own “people centred” manifesto which will be unveiled soon.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He however noted that the coming in of Chakwera will offer the electorate a wider choice in the forthcoming presidential elections.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">PP deputy publicity secretary Ken Msonda also dismissed suggestions that PP might be threatened with the euphoria of Chakwera.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“He is not a game changer in Malawian politics. He may be a game changer to MCP but not to Malawian politics. The game changer for Malawian politics is God. God is the one who made it possible for PP to take over government. So we are not threatened of him,” said Msonda.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He concurred with Ndanga on the excitement of Chakwera, saying “this is Chakweramania. It happens in politics; it happened before and soon the dust will settle.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Commenting on Chakwera’s ideology of basing his politics on issues, Msonda said PP as a party has a similar ideology only that it might have a “few dirty players” with politics of personalities.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">DPP publicity secretary Nicholas Dausi cautioned the electorate to patiently wait on Chakwera if he will stand the test of time before making their decisions.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“There is nothing unusual with Chakwera’s election. The euphoria will die. Let’s wait and see if he will stand the test of time,” he warned.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A political scientist Henry Chingaipe, while admitting that the excitement will fade with time, said the excitement might be an indicator that more people support him.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“People wanted change in MCP and Chakwera represents that change. His election explains that excitement. He might also represent change the country expects because his ideology is clear, at least as of now.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“But he may not have a walk over in next year’s elections because MCP is confined to the Central Region,” he said.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Chakwera was elected MCP president at a convention earlier this month where he beat 10 other contestants.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-44587312401169109402013-08-21T06:43:00.001-07:002013-08-21T06:43:44.337-07:00Mugabe argues compulsory HIV testing way to go for SADC member states<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Re-elected Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe says if countries in the SADC region are to make headway progress in combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic, compulsory HIV testing ought to be adopted.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mugabe said on Sunday during a meeting on AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) by the Heads of State and Government chaired by newly elected chairperson, Pres Joyce Banda.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“The problem is that when it comes to HIV/AIDS testing, issues of freedom and rights come into play and yet, we force people to go for testing and vaccinations for diseases such as polio,” 89 year old Mugabe is quoted as saying by <i>New Zimbabwe</i>.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He challenged that compulsory testing could be the most viable way.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mugabe added by telling fellow leaders how his idea of making available levies to those affected by the pandemic has proved to be a workable policy in Zimbabwe.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But fellow attendees to the 33<sup>rd</sup> SADC Summit held in Malawi’s capital Lilongwe downplayed Mugabe’s suggestion.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While Botswana leader Ian Khama said compulsory HIV testing would be unbearably expensive for SADC member states, Tanzanian leader Jakaya Kikwete suggested a different approach altogether.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He said leaders should be at the fore in getting tested for HIV saying he has done it before and that the gesture has positively impacted on the mindset of Tanzanians as regards HIV testing.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Today, over 18 million Tanzanians are tested and they know their respective status,” said Kikwete.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-27624114356572376172013-08-21T04:40:00.000-07:002013-08-30T11:50:59.390-07:00My Going<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By Pius Nyondo </span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I
shall pick up a rope, of course<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No
treasures. Just a bunch of frustrations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I
shall not head south, this time<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My
crime shall not need judges,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Magistrates
and lawyers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It
will be a matter of the heart, of course<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A
bunch of frustrations, of course<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A
crime of conscience, of course<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A
point of no return, of course<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A
moment for a do or die pronouncement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I
shall wait, for twilight<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While
seated in the heart of Chikangawa Forest<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beneath
a pine tree<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To
make use of the rope<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
K500 rope<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That
will define my fate<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My
car – the latest version of BMW models –packed<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By
the roadside on the M1 road shall smile and,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank
me a bunch, of course.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For
my going<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Will
make her rest, bring about a new beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I
shall feel pain, of course<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">May
be<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For
sure<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I
shall cry, of course, but to no avail<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For
I will be miles and miles and miles away from the rest<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Alone
in Chikangawa Forest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Friends
will come, of course<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To
sympathize with my two week old Nancy<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Poor
widow!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">18
year olds don’t make poor widows!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Much
more when they get betrothed to<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Men
they never dreamed of tying a knot with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But
that will be the end<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No
talk about my rubbish<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My
accolades in sexcapading<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My
knighthood in beerscapading<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My
HIV, awarded to me as a hit-and-run goer<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At
Sinners Live Long Bottle store.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">May
be the mighty one up there<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Will
whisper into the preacher’s ears<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To
say to the crowd:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This
man lying here<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Was
not as good as we thought, of course<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He
married this under aged girl<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Against
her will<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beat
her up like a bull.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This
man was not very good, of course<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He
was<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>achidyamakanda</em><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sleeping
with school going girls<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Infecting
them with HIV.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
preacher will be booed at, of course<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For
speaking ill of the dead<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For
talking ill of a man who<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lived
a good life<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Offering
tithe on daily basis to the Church<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Good
sums.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But
Nancy will smile, of course<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And
my soul will rest in peace<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For
that will be the truth<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nothing
but the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just
wishful thinking, anyway<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For
no one will be courageous enough<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To
say ill of the dead me<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And
it shall not be true at all<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It
will only be a dream.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Such
shall be my fate<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As
dreamt on my reed made mat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-30371073020569600462013-08-18T00:22:00.004-07:002013-08-18T00:24:08.058-07:00Backbiting at Mchinji District Council: Juniors say DC is hard<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">By Pius Nyondo</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Back-biting–apparent
recipe for disarray–has ensued among employees at Mchinji District Council who
claim that the present authority District Commissioner James Kanyangalazi is
not ardent in addressing their concerns,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Nyasa
Times</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>has established.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">According
to our source, Kanyangalazi is new in town– with no more than two months old–
but is already leading with a heavy hand.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">“He is
very hard and no one likes him,” said our source.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">The
source also divulged to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Nyasa
Times</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that for the two months
Kanyangalazi has been at the helm, the council’s direct employees have been
receiving their salaries very late.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">“When
he [the DC] was probed, he said the council was not collecting enough money and
that they are currently thinking of reducing the number of members of staff.”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Additionally,
Kanyangalazi is allegedly also denying local newsmen in the district
interviews.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">“I
once followed up a story on the salaries and I was condemned [by Kanyangalazi]
for that,” one of the reporters who works in the district said.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">According
to the reporter Kanyangalazi, apart from denying him interviews, has refused to
give him contact details including e-mails.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">But a
senior official at the council who did not want to be named described the
allegations as unfounded and blatantly untrue.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">“That’s
surely the work of backbiters. People don’t like principled men,” he said.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">In a
telephone interview with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Nyasa
Times</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>on Friday Kanyangalazi
refused to comment on both allegations and referred this reporter to Mchinji
District Information Officer (DIO).</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">“Where
are you getting all this from? I have not been in the office for the past three
weeks so talk to the District Information Officer,” said Kanyangalazi before
cutting the line.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">When
this reporter tried to call the DIO, the number he was provided with could not
be reached the several times it was tried.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-75652736455307115292013-08-18T00:20:00.004-07:002013-08-18T00:25:59.369-07:00Hike in lodging prices crippling local participants: Lilongwe SADC Heads of State Summit<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By Pius Nyondo</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Local participants for the ongoing SADC summit are
finding it hard to lodge in Malawi’s capital Lilongwe following a hike by
service providers.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S9dKq4kZ_fk/UhB1JcrHddI/AAAAAAAAAEs/cRRKc9ks_VU/s1600/Joyce+Banda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S9dKq4kZ_fk/UhB1JcrHddI/AAAAAAAAAEs/cRRKc9ks_VU/s1600/Joyce+Banda.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">According to a snapshot investigation, the new prices
which are being attributed to the influx of foreign dignitaries, the hikes are
between 40 and 120 percent.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">“The prices have been hiked because of the SADC hype,”
said Gift Msiska, an Area 47 lodge owner.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">He added that because travellers have no option but to
find lodging, they, as business persons, have to grab opportunities.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">The Economic Empowerment Action Group (EEAG), however,
has described the development as a “bad tendency.”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">The group’s chairperson Lewis Chiwalo said “We’ve to be
realistic with our businesses if they are to blossom. There is also need to
look at the long term plans so that we attract more customers.”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Rooms that were previously at K12 000 are now going at
about K40 000 while those that were pegged at K39 000 are now at K63 000.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Earlier this week,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Nyasa
Times</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>revealed that the
summit has also resulted in a boom in commercial sex.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">The SADC Heads of State Summit is expected to commence
today. Malawi is hosting the summit for the second time after 2001.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Malawi Pres Joyce Banda has taken over the SADC
chairmanship from her Mozambican counterpart Almando Guebuza.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-39964304148863167132013-07-31T01:08:00.000-07:002013-07-31T01:08:03.553-07:00Celebrating the end of 2013 MSCE examinations mediocrityCelebrating the end of 2013 MSCE examinations mediocrity<br /><br />Yesterday, Malawi bus depots, across the country, were jam-packed with most Form Four students leaving for their respective homes to take a breather after sitting for the country's last national exams at secondary school level.<br /><br />They celebrated. Some of them even jeered at innocent onlookers for reasons only known to themselves. But, when I observed this in the Mzuzu Bus Depot, I gnashed and ground my teeth in pain.<br /><br />Weren't these learners celebrating the end of 'protected examinations' which were punctuated with leakages from day one? I use protected because that's the word the Malawi National Examinations Board (Maneb) chief Roy Hauya and National Police mouthpiece Rhoda Manjolo used when they got reports from the well-meaning public that examinations were selling like chickens in Ndirande, Chikanda, Chibavi and Pa Tomasi trading centres and many others in the country at discussable prices.<br /><br />What is wrong?<br /><br />Nyasa Times had, by last Friday, reported over ten cases of this year's Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations but; disturbingly, nothing from either Maneb and the Ministry of Education [MoE] has been said as regards way forward.<br /><br />The question that quickly comes to mind here is that: are there duty minded people who care about the welfare of tax-payers' money at these [Maneb and MoE] institutions? It is very sad today that despite stiffening the punishment on those found flouting examination rules, cheating and examination leakages seem to be cruising for the worse. Something, somewhere must be wrong!<br /><br />Or, is it that this has been the case all long but the media was not providing enough coverage? Yes, why 'too much' publicity now and 'too little' then? Should the media premise guarantee us to conclude that examination leakages are more rampant now than ever before?<br /><br />But the young men and women I found in Mzuzu Bus Depot-our future lawyers, doctors, nurses and teachers-celebrated that they were done with the examinations which most of them described as 'bonya' (cheap).<br /><br />Grooming a generation of cheats, illegal dealers.<br /><br />Remember the arrest of 14 girls at Multipular Private Secondary School in Mzimba for illegal possession of exams? Girls, I say. Sad. I mean, what generation are we grooming? Is it not one of cheats, illegal dealers?<br /><br />The more our Maneb and the MoE continue casting a blind eye on such leakages the more slowly but steadily we are teaching our young men and women to indulge in uncooth deals of all sorts. When these girls, for example, find their way to the university, they will be the same who will be putting lecturers into sexual temptations for the sake of better marks. I mean, with the examination thievery we are but tolerating as a nation, our young men and women will be the worst in corruption deals and all other crimes you can dream about.<br /><br />Is that what we want for Malawi?<br /><br />Way forward<br /><br />In 2007, a similar case occurred. Examinations were stashed in the streets of Malawi at negotiable prices. Then, during the late Pres Bingu wa Mutharika era, it was directed by government that the papers which were grievously leaked should be re-written. It was done.<br /><br />Now, after six years, the same has happened. Will our children be re-writing the exams at our burden. If you asked me, I think the whole process is own its own extravagant of our hard-earned resources. If Masiteni Joyce Banda's government decides to replicate the 2007 saga, it should be prepared to provide 'our' cash for extra printing costs, water and electricity bills in our secondary schools and allowances for supervisors and their teams. Now, that's a fortune that could otherwise help build a simple bridge or two for the people of Mwamkumbwa in Chitipa or buy beds and matresses for that hospital in the Veep's Mzimba district.<br /><br />Granted, I feel like something else other than re-writing the examinations should be the solution. We should sit down and brainstorm as a nation on what really is rotting up at Maneb. We just replaced Mathews Matemba with Bwana Roy Hauya not long ago. If he is proving to be incompetent why should he keep on basking in hefty allowances at Maneb at our expense?<br /><br />The thing here is that some people, I am sure, have over-stayed at Maneb and might be the perpetrators of this kind of examination mediocrity. If Masiteni is really committed towards moving education standards in this country for the better, let her commission another inquiry on Maneb that will find out what's happening and let all those who will be found smelling be kicked out like she did with Ambwiye Bright Msaka and that police 'top dog'.<br /><br />For institutions like Maneb, people aren't supposed to be there for long to grow wings [Let's us the Kabaka Mutesa's style of leadership here, it helps]. Once they do that, they will hammer deals with some of our trying private secondary schools in the country who will offer them hefty amounts of money-may be thrice their monthly incomes. And, who hates money? Regular changes at the institution will prevent some of these problems.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-66128370916630670772013-06-25T11:44:00.003-07:002013-06-25T11:44:30.891-07:00Yesterday<div style="text-align: center;">
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By Pius Nyondo</div>
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Yesterday, like an angel,</div>
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I soared over and above the skies;</div>
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Singing- dancing off my fears.</div>
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Yesterday, I tell you, I sinned,</div>
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Not even once. Yes, with my hand,</div>
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I committed the Sin of Onan.</div>
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It was not sin: I avoided an unwanted pregnancy,</div>
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STDs, HIV/AIDS, the after-the-deed guilt.</div>
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Yesterday, I learnt-from a </div>
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good Bollywood movie- that,</div>
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It is nature for life,</div>
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To begin with murder.</div>
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That, not even riders of aristocratic automobiles,</div>
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Know what the future holds.</div>
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Yesterday, as I cogitated, I realised</div>
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That we are not immortals but mortals.</div>
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I found out that, whether one likes it or not,</div>
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This is Earth, not Mars.</div>
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Yesterday, I realised that,</div>
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She goofed several times, many times.</div>
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She lied, did the same things she,</div>
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Vehemently spoke in opposition to.</div>
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Yesterday, through her, I learnt that,</div>
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Too much power corrupts too much.</div>
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Yesterday, believe you me,</div>
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I became a philosopher. </div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span lang="EN-GB"><div style="text-align: center;">
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</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-65634176062605636312013-05-12T21:23:00.001-07:002013-05-12T21:23:47.719-07:00Zikomo Matope receives 'Midnight 2' award, promises to stop womanizing after Tembo quits politics<a href="http://www.maravipost.com/malawi-bloggers/blogger-list/86-pius-nyondo/3765-zikomo-matope-receives-‘midnighth-2’-award-promises-to-stop-womanizing-after-tembo-quits-politics.html" target="_blank">http://www.maravipost.com/malawi-bloggers/blogger-list/86-pius-nyondo/3765-zikomo-matope-receives-‘midnighth-2’-award-promises-to-stop-womanizing-after-tembo-quits-politics.html</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-85420172240042779832013-05-12T12:13:00.003-07:002013-05-12T12:13:52.023-07:00We got sold<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">By Pius Nyondo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It
was still very early in the morning, and light rain made dawn look darker than
usual. My muscles rippled at the cold. I rose to my feet and let out a low
guttural roar of tiredness, hunger and anger. I felt great pain all over my
body, especially my chest. Pain that had emanated from my nightlong direct
contact with the reed-made mat I had slept on.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I slept on a mat back home; the same kind of mat that was here. But this one
did not accord me the comfort I had when back home. Back home, I had nice dreams
when lying on my mat. It was not the case here. I had actually dreamt nothing.
Totally nothing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Even the floor; it was so dusty as early as it was. Mother could not leave the
floor like this for a long time. She sprinkled water on the floor every time we
went to sleep, and every time we woke up. From the way this place looked like,
one could easily conclude that there were no mothers here. No mothers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
Where was I? I finally asked my blank mind, and expectedly, got no answer. A
shiver zipped up my spine, and I felt a hollow, aching sensation in the centre
of my chest. I felt like vomiting. But there was nothing I could have vomited.
My stomach was very, very empty. It even produced strange noises. <br />
<br />
Across the room, I caught sight of three familiar bodies, September, Can and
Chimwemwe. With my half-opened eyes, I saw their chests rising and falling with
rapid, choppy breaths. I felt like shouting, but then a voice from within
instructed me not to. I was just hopeless. I was just helpless. I was weak.
Yes, I could not do a thing.<br />
<br />
What was happening? Just yesterday I had been home, with my poor mother,
laughing and arguing and sniffing and sighing and shaking my head in disgust.
Just yesterday I had been playing on the banks of the river that snaked through
our village, moulding people, cows and cars with September, Can and Chimwemwe.
It was just yesterday.<br />
<br />
My heart raced. Could it be that mother really offered me to the man she had
said wanted me to work on his farm? It was just yesterday that mother had
broken the news about one estate owner who wanted children to work on his farm.
Mother had said the man was nice, that the man was rich, and that the man would
wipe out all our poverty if I went with him. Mother had spoken highly of the
man, saying the man was God-sent.<br />
<br />
I had sniffed, sighed and shaken my head in disgust. What about school? What
about my ambition of becoming the editor of <i>The Nation </i>newspaper? I had
asked my mother: What about her, wouldn’t she miss me? You see, I wanted to
move out of my poor village at my earliest opportunity. I wanted to be like
Uncle Blantyre. He owned a good car. Mother once told me he had a big house in
the City of Blantyre, the largest city in our country. September and Can said
Uncle Blantyre had a beautiful wife too. I wanted all that. And I couldn’t get
all that by working on somebody’s farm. Uncle Blantyre did not work on
somebody’s farm. He had worked hard in school. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Shoving my hands into my shorts pockets, I had walked out. I was bitter with
mother for wanting to sell me off. I had ran down to the river where September,
Can, Chimwemwe and I had agreed to meet.<br />
<br />
They were not there. I waited and waited. And when they came, they all wore
sombre faces. They wore worried looks. They were upset as I was, or even worse
than I was.<br />
<br />
“Why do our parents want to sell us off?” asked Chimwemwe, tears rolling down
her chubby cheeks.<br />
<br />
“Perhaps it’s because of our poverty.” I answered. “May be they want to raise
money for our school.”<br />
<br />
“Have they told you too?”<br />
<br />
I nodded. There was a moment of silence. We talked no more. We all walked to
the anthill just a few yards from the river, collected some clay, soaked it in
water, and then started moulding.<br />
<br />
“When the man comes, I’ll run away.” Chimwemwe who was the youngest amongst the
four of us spoke after the long silence. “Or I will hide under my bed.”<br />
<br />
“What if there’s a snake under your bed?” September asked her.<br />
<br />
“I’ll scream.”<br />
<br />
“And you think they’ll not hear you?”<br />
<br />
“I’ll pray to God that they don’t hear me.”<br />
<br />
“What if God does not hear you?”<br />
<br />
Chimwemwe stopped her moulding and then, as if filled with some divine
inspiration shot back.<br />
<br />
“God hears our prayers all the time, that’s what the Sunday school teacher
said.”<br />
<br />
Another graveyard silence followed. When our moulding got less exciting, we
dispersed to our homes. But with a resolution that we would all refuse if our
parents asked us again to go and work on the rich man’s farm. All of us, it
seemed, hungered for education which our teachers told us was the only key to success.
<br />
<br />
Chimwemwe was in Standard Four, September and Can were in Standard Five, and I
was in Standard Six.<br />
<br />
When mother asked me to go and work on the rich man’s farm once again that
evening, I refused. She became bitter with. I could read the bitterness in her
eyes. But then, strangely, she had told me to forget about all that. Mother had
given me food, rice with chicken, which I had eaten hungrily. That was a meal
that came once a year and thrice in three years, only on Christmas….<br />
<br />
Then I don’t know what happened next.<br />
<br />
But all that happened yesterday. Today, this morning, I could not just
understand my predicament.<br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
I was about to amble out of the room when I heard heavy deadly footsteps
approaching. I ran back to the mat, closed my eyes, and pretended to be dead
asleep.<br />
<br />
“Attention!” a heavily built old man forced the door open.<br />
<br />
I was the first to open my eyes, and the first to see him. He wore his grey
hair in a briskly crew cut. Clenched in his hands was a deadly machete, pointed
at no one of us in particular.<br />
<br />
“Attention!” September, Can and Chimwemwe jumped up. The looks on our faces
were all weird. They were looks of shock. Looks of apprehension.<br />
<br />
“Welcome to Lundazi and to this lovely tobacco estate,” the old man forced a
smile which, still more, could not make him look any saintly. “You’ll all
address me as Commander!”<br />
<br />
“I want to see my mother! I want to go home!” Chimwemwe cried.<br />
<br />
But the Commander, it seemed, was not the soft and sentimental type. He gave
Chimwemwe a stern look, did the same to me, and then to everyone in the room.
He had no heart at all.<br />
<br />
My heart began to pace rapidly. Yes, this was it. Our parents had sold us off.<br />
<br />
“You’re not here to cry, you small rat!” the Commander bellowed at Chimwemwe.
“You’ve come here to work on this tobacco estate. I’ve paid your mothers huge
chunks of money to let me have you, ok?”<br />
<br />
It was a question directed at no one in particular, and one that needed not to
be answered. The Commander then walked to the door, called out a funny name,
and then a moment later a skinny young boy joined us in the room. He looked
twelve or thirteen years.<br />
<br />
“This is Jackie Chan,” The Commander said while patting the skinny young boy on
the back. And the Commander went ahead. “He’s the Second-in-Command here and his
orders must be obeyed without question!”<br />
“Liar,” Can said sarcastically. “Jackie Chan is only found in movies.”<br />
<br />
“You call the Commander a liar?” Jackie Chan snarled. He gave Can two
successive slaps. Can cried disturbingly.<br />
<br />
“Listen, we’re not here to play jokes. Should anyone try to do something fishy
I’ll not hesitate but blow his or her brains out!” warned Jackie Chan, his eyes
looking like those of a poisonous snake.<br />
<br />
At his command, we walked out of the room after him. Jackie Chan was such an
unusual character. The small boy did not have his shirt on as chilly as it was.<br />
<br />
It was still relatively dark, and the morning birds were still tweeting and
twittering. We walked till we reached what looked like a tobacco barn. At
first, I thought we were going to have breakfast. But when I saw children of my
age with plates full of fertilizer, my dream got raped.<br />
I had not eaten for two days now, and the idea of spending another day without
food really suffocated me. With the little experience I had so far, of staying
with these people, it was suicidal to ask them any stupid question. Asking for
food, I must confess, sounded like one of such stupid questions one would ask
them.<br />
<br />
We walked closer and closer to the shed. When the children saw us, they stopped
what they were doing and started talking in low tones. They were no doubt
gossiping. They looked quite young, younger than our own Chimwemwe. Yet their
faces seemed to have outgrown their ages; they looked like grannies facially
and children physically. They wore worn out dresses, shorts and shirts. While
the condition of the girls seemed much better, as their clothes only managed to
flatten their tender breasts; the situation was sad for the boys like us. Their
shorts were badly torn, such that they laid bare their dirty buttocks for all
of us to see.<br />
In two to three months, I told myself, I would surely become like these boys.<br />
<br />
“Listen everybody,” the Commander called for order, whilst Jackie Chan watched.
“I’m glad to announce that we’ve been joined by new members. They’re from
Kaporo, and I’m sure you’ll get to know them better as you get along.”<br />
<br />
The Commander then turned to us. “These are your new mothers, friends, fathers,
and relatives.”<br />
<br />
As Jackie Chan and the Commander left, we joined our weary friends.<br />
<br />
We later learnt from them that they had been on their way from school when they
had met the Commander who had given them some sweets. The next time they had
opened their eyes, they said, they were on this tobacco estate. They said they
missed home too, and that they wanted to see their parents. They also told us
that they had been on the tobacco estate for six months.<br />
The Commander, so we were told, was a merciless man. I shuddered when our
friends told us that he had impregnated one of their friends who had died
because she was too young to deliver a child. We were told that the Commander
had a stony heart, a wicked sexual appetite, and to sum it all, a devil's
incarnate. We agreed.<br />
<br />
“We heard a cry in there,” the boy who introduced himself as Misfortune faced
me. “Was anything the matter?”<br />
<br />
“He slapped our friend.”<br />
<br />
“He does the same to us, sorry my friend.” Misfortune told Can. <br />
<br />
“Is there no police around here?”<br />
<br />
“Police?” he looked stunned, as if he had never heard of police before.<br />
<br />
And then he told us more. There was no police around because Lundazi was very
far from the district headquarters at Mzimba.<br />
<br />
We talked and talked and talked, as we applied fertilizer. Chimwemwe was tired,
so too was September and Can. It was a back-breaking job, one that even adults
desisted back home.<br />
<br />
From what Misfortune told us, escaping from this place was out of question.
Even if one managed to leave the boundaries of the estate, he or she would not
go further than that. Lundazi was heavily forested. Lions, tigers, elephants
and many such killer animals roamed all over the place, ready to bring to death
any escapee. According to Misfortune, the best was to accept our predicament.<br />
<br />
“I’ll pray to God that my father comes back to rescue us.” Chimwemwe spoke out
with the confidence of black ants.<br />
<br />
“Where’s your father?” <br />
<br />
“In South Africa,” Chimwemwe responded with a grin. “Mother said that he works
in the gold mines.”<br />
<br />
There was a moment of silence.<br />
<br />
“And you, Mwayi,” Misfortune turned to me. “Where’s your father?”<br />
<br />
“He’s dead. He died before I was born.”<br />
<br />
Misfortune paused awhile, and shot me a pitiful gaze. “My father is dead too.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Then we felt like members of the same family. Almost everybody's father had
once been to the gold mines in South Africa. My father had died there, so too
Misfortune's father. Chimwemwe, September, Can and the rest of the children we
had found fathers were also in South Africa working in the gold mines.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<br />
We were, it seemed, children who were growing up with no idea of what fatherly
love felt like. Children who each time went to play with peers who had their
fathers around were mocked fatherless. We had all been raised by our mothers
who many a time failed to get the best for us; mothers who did not really love
us, and ended in selling us off.<br />
<br />
“Do you have any idea how much the Commander gives our mothers?” I asked
Misfortune.<br />
<br />
“I don’t know,” Misfortune shot me another pitiful gaze, cleared his throat and
shook his head. We kept on working. It got unusually hot. My back was aching
like hell, so too was my head. I was about to sit down when I caught sight of
Jackie Chan approaching us, his machete in hands.<br />
<br />
“Listen everyone!” he shouted. “You’ll break for lunch now, and resume work
immediately afterwards. I give you thirty minutes.”<br />
<br />
When Jackie Chan was gone, Misfortune whispered into my ears, ‘We come from the
same village.”<br />
<br />
“What?” I asked in disbelief.<br />
<br />
Misfortune nodded, putting down the plate with fertilizer.<br />
<br />
“He’s changed badly,” he said. “He was a good boy but then the Commander taught
him to smoke <i>Chamba. </i>He no longer regards us as friends.”<br />
<br />
Chimwemwe, Can and September, and two other boys we had found with Misfortune,
were already seated beside the plates piled on top of each other.<br />
<br />
“Is there a toilet around here?” I asked Misfortune.<br />
<br />
He shot me a surprised look, as if he had never been asked the question all his
life.<br />
<br />
“We do it in that river.” He said, pointing at a river that could be heard
flowing just at the edge of the estate.<br />
<br />
“You do it in the river?” Misfortune shook his head, sat down, and washed his
hands.<br />
<br />
“But we’ll not wait for you.” He said matter-of-factly.<br />
<br />
I rushed to the river, did what was supposed to be done in a toilet and
frantically walked back to the tobacco barn. We ate our meal in silence, <i>Mgaiwa
</i>paired with undercooked beans.<br />
<br />
“I want drinking water, where’s the borehole?” Chimwemwe asked Misfortune.<br />
<br />
“We drink from that river.” Misfortune pointed at the same river he had told us
was a toilet.<br />
<br />
But Chimwemwe, it seemed, was too thirsty. She was already gone to quench her
thirst.<br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
That night we did not sleep. Chimwemwe was convulsing and seething in pain,
complaining of abdominal pains. I knew what it was. I was in Standard Six. I
shouldered Chimwemwe, paused for an incoherent prayer and walked towards the door.<br />
<br />
“And where do you think you’re going?” Misfortune asked me, utterly perplexed.<br />
<br />
“I’m taking her to the hospital.” I shot back, Misfortune did not object. In no
time I was gone.<br />
<br />
I managed to sneak out unnoticed, crossed the river at the edge of the tobacco
estate and headed southwards. I could hear lions roaring but I still walked on.
Chimwemwe’s groans infused immeasurable willpower in me.<br />
<br />
After hours and hours of walking, I heard a cough. I hid. Then I saw a man
pushing a bicycle overloaded with bags of charcoal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<br />
I wanted to tell the man that what he was doing was bad for the world. That it
was contributing to Global Warming. I wanted to tell him never to fell trees
carelessly again but I could not. I was afraid of him but more importantly, I
needed his help.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">His bicycle looked worse than the one my father owned before he had died. The
bicycle my ruthless uncle had grabbed from my mother and I soon after my father
had been buried. I remember we owned a YI FNG radio, a few mug cups and a large
piece of land. My father’s brother had grabbed these treasures we had from us,
leaving us helpless.<br />
<br />
“Excuse me, Pa,” I heard myself saying. “Does this path lead to town?”<br />
<br />
The man gave me a surprised look. “It does, but you can only get there tomorrow
evening.”<br />
<br />
I was terrified. The Commander and Jackie Chan would start tracking me;
probably they were already even doing it now.<br />
<br />
“Are you from the tobacco estate?” The man asked. I nodded.<br />
<br />
“You know it?” I asked him. “Then why don’t you report the tobacco estate owner
to the police for ill-treating us?”<br />
<br />
“I would have loved to my son.”<br />
<br />
“And what stops you?”<br />
<br />
“Because the owner of that estate is our Member of Parliament.”<br />
<br />
“And so?”<br />
<br />
“We’ve tried to report him to the police several times,” the man said sadly.
“But each time we’ve done so police officers have told us there’s nothing they
can do.”<br />
<br />
“Why? How?”<br />
<br />
“I don’t know,” sighed the man. “But we all now know that our MP bribes the
police and all concerned parties not to pursue his case farther.”<br />
<br />
There was graveyard silence.<br />
<br />
“By the way,” the man spoke again. “What’s the problem with your sister?”<br />
<br />
“Oh,” I sighed, weighed down by distress. “I think it’s Cholera.”<br />
<br />
The old man stopped his bicycle, offloaded his bags of charcoal, and then said
to me. “Let’s put her on the bicycle.”<br />
<br />
I sighed with relief, and joy. I hurriedly put Chimwemwe on the bicycle but
then, as I set her free, the young girl sprawled to the ground.<br />
<br />
“Chimwemwe! Chimwemwe!” I called and shook her body vigorously but it was stiff
and cold.<br />
<br />
“She’s dead,” the man said with finality, grief-stricken too.<br />
<br />
Just then, I heard heavy footsteps approach us, the same deadly heavy footsteps
I had heard earlier that morning. I did not know whether to shout or cry or ran
away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-68578756611737988612013-05-12T11:51:00.000-07:002013-05-12T11:59:33.227-07:00And there was darkness<div align="JUSTIFY">
By Pius Nyondo</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
After a nightlong task of staying awake in the name of protecting a China shop from thugs and armed robbers, I had to compensate myself. And for me, compensation meant stopping over at Paris Club International, Cool Running or Chipwirikiti for 'one or two'.<br />
Often times, I had solemnly sworn not to stop over at these places. But each time I did so, I surprisingly found myself at these ‘synagogues’, downing bottles of cold ones like there is no tomorrow. </div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<br />
Actually, the sordid behaviour had almost cost me my job one day. I had branched at Paris Club International for ‘one or two’, ahead of a miserable night of waiting for thieves and engaging myself in battles with mosquitoes. I had ordered for one, thinking I had some money but there was none. I had walked out fuming.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
I was an hour or two late, and I would surely be some three or four hours late by the time of my arrival at Shi Chwang General Dealers; my work place. As I walked closer towards the building, my heart raced. Standing, just beside the main entrance was the boss himself, Ti Ling.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
I panicked. He never really bothered to check on me. I was his good boy. I had impressed him so much during my early days as watchman at the shop so much so that he really never bothered to mark my ‘register’. Some jealous fool must surely have told my boss that I had not reported for work, I told myself, trying to figure out who it could be.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
"Bwana...," I wanted to cook up a lie.</div>
<i></i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i><div align="JUSTIFY">
"Nava kuti ukugwira chito bwino kwambiri. Ona, unali keseli kuona ngati zitu zili bwino. Nikukwezera malipiro ako,"</div>
</i><br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
(I’m told you are very diligent. See, you were behind the shop checking if everything is okay. I’ll raise your pay this month-end.) Bwana Ling said. I sighed. He struggled to communicate to me, and I struggled to get what he always tried to say to me; I being a Standard 4 drop out. </div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<br />
"<i>Nikudikila mkazi wanga ali paselipa</i>," he continued. "<i>Timapanga stock-taking</i>." (We were stock-taking.)</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
"Ok Bwana," I gave him a fake salute, knowing my delinquency wouldn't be laid bare.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
Just then, his wife; a good looking young girl, whom resources allowing, I wouldn't hesitate to grab from my boss, appeared. She was dressed in a very tempting miniskirt, a beauty revealing blouse, and lipstick that was so inviting. Seeing her, I must confess, always made me curse myself for being poor. Good looking women like her need men who breathe. Men who can donate. Men who have. And not a mere church rat like me.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
That aside, I mean the fact that I was jealous with my boss over his beautiful wife, I liked Bwana Ling. He was a good man. As I saw them leave, I thanked my stars for being his employee. I was better paid compared to my other colleagues who worked for other China shops. Once in a while, Bwana Ling gave me a China T-shirt or a pair of shoes for the ‘dedication’ I had towards my job.<br />
Bwana Ti Ling, a short man with a very ugly face, had come to the Republic of Mwatitha from China as a foreman for a construction company that had been assigned to do one of the roads in the rural parts of the country. When the road construction was over, Ling did not want to go.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
Actually, a few months before they had completed the construction of the road, Ling had fallen head-over-heels for one native girl in the area; my mistress now. A story is told that she used to sell bananas at the Chinese camp where Ling was a regular customer. But Ling went deeper. He loved Esitele. Got her pregnant and then married her. When his colleagues were leaving for China, Ling decided to remain behind a re-married man, for rumour had it that he was a father of thirteen children back in China.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
So, that's how I survived that day. Ling had been waiting for his wife. He said I was a hard worker. Yes. That day they had been ‘stock-taking’. Up to date, I don't even know what kind of animal 'stock-taking' is. You see, the thing is, every time Bwana Ling spoke to me, it was either he was commending me on some job well done, or he was sending me to buy some meat for him, nothing else. </div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
He asked me to fetch frogs, monitor lizards, snakes and all those kinds of weird animals for him. In short; reptiles, mammals, amphibians and all other living things you can think of. I carried his orders to the letter. The beauty of it all is that he already had his customers. My simple task was to collect from them, and deliver to him.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
That's why, when he had mentioned 'stock-taking’ that afternoon, I expected him to dip into his pockets and give to me some bank notes for 'stock-taking.' He did not. His wife appeared, and they left, leaving me in suspense. Up to date, I tell you, I am still trying to figure out what kind of animal 'stock-taking' can be. But, of course, I have a clue. The ‘S’ sound. It must have something to do with snakes. Bwana Ling loved snakes.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
****</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
This evening, seating comfortably at a corner in Paris Club International; I had nothing to worry about. I didn’t have to carry my knobkerrie and machete to follow thugs and armed robbers. I had lied to Bwana Ling that my wife was seriously sick and thus I had to take care of our three children. Being the good man that he was and me the ‘good boy’ that I was, Bwana Ling gave me a four-day holiday plus an allowance to see myself through during my 'trying times.'</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
But I had cooked up the whole thing. I just wanted to have some fun. It was Christmas time. I was neither married nor had three children. I was only a poor bachelor housed in one of the shacks in the slams of Luwinga; a city that only looked beautiful when one was drunk.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
I was only about three weeks old in the city, and I felt home and welcome every time I emptied an extra bottle of <i>Kuchekuche</i> beer-that brand of alcohol that never wants one to leave it and go to sleep. Before, I had been a tenant in one of the tobacco growing areas in the countryside. I went unpaid for five and half years and decided enough was enough. I left for ‘greener pastures’ and settled in this city of Luwinga.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
Reason why I was not yet married at 32? Simple. I had no trust in women, except my mother and Mary the Mother of Jesus. I loved my first girl at 13, the next at 18 and the last at 22. The worst one was that girl I loved when I was eighteen - Brenda. I loved her. She never loved me in return. I smiled. She never smiled. I tried to make her laugh. She couldn’t just succumb. At one point she nearly killed my mother with hypertension when she had lied against my father that he was responsible for her...</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
I don’t like talking about that shit. She was not only a liar, but also the Devil’s incarnate capable of plotting any kind of evil. Since then, I declared to myself: No women for the rest of your life, Mavuto-they are all traitors, murderers. Like poisonous snakes, they can kill, just for the sake of killing, without eating you. Drink beer, more beer and the Most High will be happy with your spirit for saving his precious water.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
I was downing my fifth bottle, when I saw Goodson, my workmate at Shi Chwang General Dealers approaching. He was a shop attendant, and earned a more meager pay than I did. I wanted to hide, but then I realized that he was too drunk to distinguish between good and evil. Walking beside him was a sick-looking girl, so nauseating. Actually, everyone in Paris Club International had his gaze on the ‘couple’, which had now sat just beside me.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
"Mavuto!" He joyously extended his hand. I hesitated, but offered it all the same. What could I have done after all?</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
"Can't he realize that this girl is very sick?" An elderly gentleman standing next to my workmate said in a tone that was low to him but one which was heard by everybody. And just then, everybody turned towards our direction.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
"These are the things we men don’t see when drunk," some loud mouth in the bar shouted.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
Goodson did not move an inch. I have already mentioned, he couldn't distinguish between good and evil, lovely and ugly. He turned to me instead.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
"...hey! You told Bwana that your wife is sick." I was wrong. He was not as recklessly drunk as I thought. Everyone turned to me. I looked down.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
"Mavuto," he went on. "Taste a beautiful girl like this one and see that girls are good!"</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
The 'beautiful girl' who was standing beside him, whom Goodson would 'taste and see that she is good' sooner than later smiled. Everyone laughed.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
"For how long," my workmate, it seemed, wanted to injure me more. "Are you going to remain unmarried? Don't you know that all bachelors are fools?" </div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
Much as I didn't like women personally, I felt bad when someone laid bare my attitude towards women in public. That’s why I wanted Goodson, my workmate, to leave.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
The whole bar was sent into stitches of laughter once again.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
Enough was enough. I rose to my feet, aimed a blow at Goodson which sent him sprawling to the ground. Then a dead silence enveloped the bar. Dead silence. The 'beautiful girl' who had come with him was trying to shake Goodson up but to no avail.<br />
Something told me to run, and I started doing so. And I was not looking back. Behind me, I could hear drunkards shouting, shouting so loud and hard. </div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
My direction was home. I was considerably drunk, so I thought going home was the safest thing I could do.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
I had run and run, and I was heavily panting now. But I had now reached a bridge which I had to cross before reaching my house, my shack I should rightly put it. This bridge frightened me and yet, I had to cross it before I could get home. I was here now, and very afraid.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
I had not even reached the middle of the bridge when I saw three men with a torch flashing their light directly at me.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
"Hey, can't you see that you are injuring my eyes?" I said under the influence.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
They didn't respond. I got nervous.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
One of them fished a knife from his jacket and threw it at me. It came straight to my chest. I fell down in pain. I looked back and saw what looked like a police van move towards our direction.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
"Shit!" I faintly heard one of them say. "Somebody tipped the police about our presence here. Finish this bastard and let's vacate this place."</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
I felt very great pain in my stomach, pain that was really ‘finishing’ me. And then there was darkness... </div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span lang=""></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><div align="JUSTIFY">
</div>
</span></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-82301027274936742022013-05-12T01:11:00.003-07:002013-05-12T01:17:57.616-07:00From a romantically challenged<span lang=""></span><br />
<span lang=""><div style="text-align: center;">
By Pius Nyondo<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dearest,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've tried enough</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But still no relief</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm still that love moron</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Romantically impotent</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dearest,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I tried</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Liking her Facebook updates, commenting...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I called her, sent her something...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For her lipstick, leggings...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To no avail</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dearest,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is it because I failed,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To tell her by word of mouth?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But dear,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You once told me,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That actions speak louder than words.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dearest,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If it were an exam,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would have failed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fortuanately it is not</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is just an art</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Masquadering as love</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yours faithfully...<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
#Inspired by Ndongolera C. Mwangupili's Letters to a Comrade.</div>
</span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-44467314947040869942013-05-07T04:20:00.000-07:002013-05-07T04:20:02.068-07:00Malawi's Peer Gynt literary competition deadline Wed<span style="font-size: small;"><div align="JUSTIFY">
By Albert Sharra, The Nation</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
Malawi Writers Union (Mawu) has said the deadline for submission of entries into the first ever Peer Gynt literary competition is 5pm Wednesday.</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GebRkWHnOzY/UYji6bnSkxI/AAAAAAAAAD0/geftcVhWb0U/s1600/Mvona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GebRkWHnOzY/UYji6bnSkxI/AAAAAAAAAD0/geftcVhWb0U/s1600/Mvona.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sambalikagwa Mvona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
According to an earlier announcement, all entries into the competition which is an adaptation of a popular Norwegian five- act play by Henrik Ibsen were supposed to be submitted by last week Friday.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
Mawu president Sambalikagwa Mvona on Monday said his office extended the deadline of the competition to give a chance to some writers who are sending their entries through post office and couriers.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
"We were expected to close by weekend, but I have been receiving contacts from various people asking if we have got their entries. Others were saying they had sent through courier and to be fair we just decided to extend the deadline by three days, and we believe there would be no excuses after today," he said.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
However, the president said the response for entries is very overwhelming. He said he has received many entries and will be disclosing the total figure of the entries by close of business Wednesday.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
The competition is open to any person and the minimum words for each entry is 40 000. According to Mvona the objective is to produce an adult book manuscript which can be used in secondary schools and colleges.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
"We want to promote reading culture among students and graduates by providing new and local publications. This is one of the ways of doing it. We will make sure all best manuscripts are available in schools and libraries of the country," he said.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
Mvona said the best three manuscripts will be sent outside the country for final editing and designing and will be printed into novels.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
Apart from that, the best three will be awarded K500 000 (about $420), K300 000 (about $714) and K200 000 (about $476) cash respectively. Mvona added that there are also three consolation prizes to manuscripts on position four to six. The three will receive K50 000 (about $119) each.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
He also said there is also a possibility of publishing the three in form of novels.</div>
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-78161318844785765382013-05-07T03:51:00.000-07:002013-05-07T03:51:01.559-07:00The good, the bad of porn.<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><div align="JUSTIFY">
<strong>In this second article in the series on pornography in Malawi, <i>PIUS NYONDO</i> discusses the impact of sexually explicit content on people.</strong></div>
<strong>
</strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><div align="JUSTIFY">
Grammy-winning gospel singer Kirk Franklin, confessing in a November 30 2005 episode of <i>The Oprah Winfrey Show</i>, said he had been addicted to pornography as early as when he was eight years old.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
Nothing could take him away from sexually explicit videos, Franklin said. Even after he married a woman he truly loved, he continued to watch the videos secretly.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
In an attempt to break free from the habit, he drove to a dumpster in the middle of the night and threw away his porn collection. But the same night, Franklin returned to his car, drove back to the dumpster and gathered it all back up.</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
Digging through the trash in the middle of the night was the turning point for Franklin. It pushed him to share his struggles with his wife, and together they worked through his addiction.</div>
<br />
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Franklin’s tale is one most pornography addicts in Malawi may wish to share, but lack the courage to do so. For many in the country, porn addiction is an ugly reality they just cannot escape.</div>
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Experts say pornography is an addictive habit from which it is difficult to escape. They also say the habit sometimes exacts a huge toll on the addicts.</div>
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Pros and cons</div>
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Associate professor Chiwoza Bandawe, who teaches clinical psychology at the College of Medicine, said research has found that watching pornography has both positive and negative impact.</div>
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Bandawe cited increased sexual arousal and sexual behaviours as the positive effects of pornography.</div>
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He said higher performance anxiety and devaluing of partner attractiveness are some negative effects of watching pornography.</div>
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"The very latest research by Staley & Prause released in December 2012 indicates reports of negative emotions such as guilt and anxiety after viewing porn," said Bandawe.</div>
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He said a recent study conducted by Wright, which surveyed the use of porn in the USA between 1973 and 2010, confirmed that pornography creates a more permissive attitude towards sex.</div>
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"Pornography consumption was associated with having more positive attitudes towards teenage sex, adult premarital sex and extramarital sex. Pornographic consumption was also positively related to actually engaging in extramarital sex.</div>
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"In line with public health researchers’ concerns, pornography consumption was associated with having more sexual partners and engaging in paid sex behaviours.</div>
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"With regard to internet porn (IP), Short and colleagues find that its use has increased over the past 10 years. The effects of IP use are widespread and are both negative (e.g., relationship and interpersonal distress) and positive (e.g., increases in sexual knowledge and attitudes toward sex)," said Bandawe.</div>
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Porn exposure</div>
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A psychologist at St. John of God College of Health Sciences in Mzuzu, Ndumanene Silungwe, said pornography has negative repercussions on children, students, the working class and married people who consume it.</div>
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"Exposure to pornographic material in childhood, according to <i>A Review of the Research on Internet Addiction</i> by Chien and others published in 2005, forms the element of sexual abuse and children that are exposed to inappropriate sexual behaviour in childhood, including pornography, rape, defilement or incest, can develop dysfunctional behaviour such as prostitution i.e. multiple sexual relationships for both male and females in adulthood.</div>
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"As for students, addictive pornographic behaviour impairs memory and concentration (especially it interferes with short-term memory in the long run) presented as forgetfulness. It may also lead to inappropriate compulsive thoughts that may lead to abuse or defilement. It is likely to affect academic performance as time to do studies is affected," said Silungwe.</div>
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He added that for the working class, there are financial implications of engaging in addictive pornography and internet.</div>
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Citing a 1996 paper titled <i>The Emergence of a New Clinical Disorder</i> a paper by Kimberly Young of the University of Pittsburgh, USA, Silungwe said time may be spent watching pornography or browsing the internet which could be used for productive activities.</div>
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"When you spend all the time on the internet or accessing porn, you will not work and you are a contributor to losses in the company, and that means less income. By the time you realise it, the problem is deep health problems will have resulted from cyber addiction," he said.</div>
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According to Family Safe Media, a globally recognised media outfit that provides parental control solutions for families concerned about the profanity, promiscuity and violence in today’s media and entertainment, over 12 percent of internet pages contain pornographic content.</div>
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Against this background, Silungwe admitted that it is not easy to break the bonds of porn addiction that develop because of prolonged exposure to explicit material.</div>
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Self control</div>
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He said self-control is the starting point in avoiding the trap of addiction.</div>
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Unlike in the past, said Silungwe, when the internet was not prevalent, today people can easily access pornographic websites in the privacy of their homes.</div>
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"The best way is not to start the habit at all. Internet is the best trap to get exposed to pornography; so, before you go online, be sure of what you want to do and after doing it log off.</div>
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"You can also determine the amount of time you spend online a day. Once that time is over, log off. Self-discipline is the key in all these. If you can’t discipline yourself, you cannot get out of this problem.</div>
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"But if you are already an addict of porn, seek psychological or pastoral help to a service provider who is non-judgmental and who will keep your issue in confidence. At St John of God, one can receive psychological help from specialists," said Silungwe.</div>
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He argued that enacting tough laws on pornographic content in Malawi may not be the best solution as it could only heighten the curiosity for the material.</div>
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Instead, he proposed that the country should focus on grooming its next generation on the foundation of strong family values.</div>
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"We need a strong foundation in the home. We need parents who talk to their children openly about the dangers of the modern world. The opportunity to build a disciplined child rests primarily with family," said Silungwe.</div>
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Dr Omar Minwalla, clinical supervisor at the Sexual Recovery Institute in Los Angeles, US, said watching too much porn results in sexual addiction which is "any kind of sexual behaviour that a person continues to engage in despite negative consequences."</div>
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Minwalla said although it may appear an appealing way of dealing with problems, pornography hurts people who are hooked on it.</div>
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"It’s easy to just feel pleasure. [Addicts may think] ‘I can sit in my room and feel bad that I just got beat up and my parents don’t listen to me—or I can masturbate [while viewing pornography]. It’s a way of medicating pain and not knowing how to deal with that pain," he wrote on </div>
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<a href="http://www.therapists.psychologytoday.com/"><i><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">www.therapists.psychologytoday.com</span></span></span></u></i><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></a><i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.mwnation.com/opinion-and-analysis/weekend-investigates/18236-the-good-the-bad-of-porn"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">http://www.mwnation.com/opinion-and-analysis/weekend-investigates/18236-the-good-the-bad-of-porn</span></span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-27720042538150522122013-05-07T03:39:00.003-07:002013-05-07T03:39:13.485-07:00Is porn battle winnable?<span style="font-size: small;"><div align="JUSTIFY">
By Pius Nyondo</div>
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Pornography is thriving business in Malawi. Police and the Censorship Board have waged battles against the problem, but there are no signs that it is about to disappear. So is it a lost fight? PIUS NYONDO takes up the issue in this first article in the series on pornography in Malawi.</div>
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It is a chilly Monday morning. Like other business-people in downtown Mzuzu, Wanangwa is busy dusting off his shop as he looks forward to what appears to be a promising day for business.</div>
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Wanangwa, 29, is a father of three and survives on selling music and video CDs. Apart from Malawian productions, his shop also stocks music and films from across the world.</div>
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But there is more to his shop. While some customers leave the shop with Nigerian, American or Indian movies, others go home with pornographic films.</div>
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And Wanangwa is not alone. Pornography is thriving business for sellers of video and music tapes and DVDs in the country.</div>
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"Unlike other videos," said Wanangwa, "blue movies make good business. People will always buy them. It is lucrative business."</div>
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Some customers, he said, will even prescribe their preferred movies and ask him to get them every time he goes out to buy films for his business.</div>
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The porn buyer</div>
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More tellingly, Wanangwa said, his customers are typically people of high social standing holding white-collar jobs.</div>
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"Typical buyers are young men. But once in a while, old men and women will come to ask for the movies. When such people come, you have to be very careful because you never know whether they are police officers.</div>
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"It is risky business," he said.</div>
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When I convince him that I am not a police agent, telling him that I am a customer, Wanangwa samples and shows me some porn movies. They range from African, Indian to American movies.</div>
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"Most buyers prefer these," he said, pointing at Afro-American movies.</div>
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"The price is the same, though. They all go at K500 (about $1.25) each."</div>
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Wanangwa said he sells a minimum of 50 pornographic films a month, giving him about K25 000 (about $62.50).</div>
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He said it is difficult to buy pornographic films, let alone to sell them, because police are always ready to pounce.</div>
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Wanangwa said sometimes he buys the films from some dealers in Lilongwe or he goes to South Africa to buy them.</div>
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"They are very expensive in Lilongwe because of the demand in the country. But when you go to South Africa and safely bring them into the country, you are assured of good money.</div>
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"When you gain experience in the business, it is not difficult to evade the prying eyes of the police because we usually pack the porn movies together with normal videos. And even when you are caught, you can always offer a little something to them," said Wanangwa.</div>
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While a porn movie costs him K300 (about $0.75) in Lilongwe, the same video may cost less than R2 (about K100) in Johannesburg in South Africa.</div>
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No censorship</div>
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Wanangwa said in the past, he was afraid of the Censorship Board which used to conduct regular inspections of video shops.</div>
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He said these days, the board rarely conducts the inspections.</div>
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This is an assertion chief censoring officer at the board, Humphrey Mpondaminga, corroborated.</div>
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Mpondaminga attributed the board’s inactiveness to inadequate funding.</div>
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"The challenge is very much about how much is invested to run various programmes for the Censorship Board and not the trickery of those peddling pornography. For some four years now, the budget to run the Censorship Board has been inadequate.</div>
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"This office requires at least K60 million (about $150 000) every year and four additional vehicles to run all its four programmes, including that of pornography," he said.</div>
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Mpondaminga claimed that based on the experience gained over the years, the board has developed solid investigation strategies to curb the problem of pornography.</div>
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"We’ve established that there are three levels of distribution for pornography: the streets, the public film video shows and people’s homes [which are] the lowest level.</div>
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"Then, we have some streets where [pornography] is sold as the second level. The third and highest level are those involved in downloading, reproducing or importing the material. This third level is the most important link in the supply chain of pornographic films.</div>
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"Our investigations show that only some of the importers are involved in this malpractice. It is interesting to note that when arrested and prosecuted, most of the culprits have volunteered to help give clues to others involved in peddling pornography," he said.</div>
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Internet porn</div>
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According to Mpondaminga, pornography in the country is on the rise because of the developments in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector which have made it easy for more Malawians to have access to the internet.</div>
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"Most printed porno DVDs being sold in the streets are from the internet, mostly supplied by street-side shacks operating as DVD or multimedia centres. This accounts for about 80 percent of the stuff in the country," he said.</div>
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He said for the past four years the board has been targeting key suppliers of pornographic material, based on the assumption that if the problem is dealt with at this level, the other levels in the supply chain will be starved of the content.</div>
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As part of the strategy, he said since 2010, the board has also been running a campaign to improve theatre standards to conform to the requirements of the Censorship Act.</div>
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"We have persistently engaged public video operators through sensitisation meetings, follow-ups on theatre standards and enforcement campaign. We have taken advantage of these regular contacts with theatre operators to do surprise checks on pornography and the results have been impressive," said Mpondaminga.</div>
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Porn and poverty</div>
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A social worker at St. John of God Community Services, Christopher Mhone, said poverty lies at the heart of the booming business in pornography.</div>
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He said some people are forced to subsist on selling pornographic material because of lack of better opportunities for earning a living.</div>
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"You will rarely find video showrooms in places where most people are well-to-do. For example, you will not find such places in Chimaliro [in Mzuzu], Area 47 [in Lilongwe] or Sunnyside [in Blantyre] but you are definitely going to find many such places in Zolozolo [in Mzuzu], Ntandire [in Lilongwe] and Ndirande [in Blantyre].</div>
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"Why? Because of the poverty levels in these places which are forcing everyone to find the most viable way to survive in town," said Mhone.</div>
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He said efforts by the board and police to clamp down on video showrooms that show pornographic movies are likely to be ineffective because the business provides a livelihood to some people.</div>
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"Children and the youth are a readily available market for porn in such areas because their families don’t have the capacity to own television sets where they can monitor what their children watch," said Mhone.</div>
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He said dealing with urban poverty will give the country a chance to effectively tackle the problem of pornography.</div>
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"Once parents are no longer preoccupied with their work and business, they will pay more attention to the welfare of their children. That, I am sure, can be one way of trying to bring irresponsible watching of pornography to a halt," he said.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mwnation.com/opinion-and-analysis/weekend-investigates/17625-is-porn-battle-winnable"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">http://www.mwnation.com/opinion-and-analysis/weekend-investigates/17625-is-porn-battle-winnable</span></span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></a></div>
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</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-6499665591552971302013-05-06T06:44:00.003-07:002013-05-06T06:44:54.645-07:00'When silence is no longer golden'<span lang=""><h3 align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">...A review of Misheck Banda's play 'One Passenger Silent.'</span></h3>
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By Pius Nyondo</div>
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Imagine. Just imagine you are a young university graduate, fresh from a university abroad, and ready to begin enjoying the fruits of your diligence and perseverance. You want to settle down as a married man, after having remained faithful with yourself since childhood. You have never been in a relationship with any girl, nor have you ever engaged in sexual intercourse. And then, imagine yourself falling head-over-heals for a harlot who is HIV positive and has infected several men including your own father. Imagine.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Misheck Banda-Wrote and Directed the play</em>.</strong></td></tr>
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Such is the heartrending story in 'One Passenger Silent', a recent play premeired by Mzuzu University Theatre Arts Group (MUTAG) in the Mzuzu University hall last Sunday, written and directed by Misheck Banda-a lecturer in the department of languages and literature.</div>
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Plot</div>
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The play begins with a prologue that depicts the past ugly life of Ajeedah, a helpless girl who is into prostitution because of poverty. She opens wide her legs for anyone who is ready to offer her a penny for survival regardless of financial status and class in the society. Today, Ajeedah may sleep with a Barman, tomorrow with Hon. Chifwayi, a regional governor, and the other day with Sperks Maganzi, a financial magnate. Such is her day-to-day grim struggle for survival.</div>
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Whether by mere divine intervetion or design, Sperks Maganzi offers to help Ajeedah financially as long as she will commit herself to him alone. Ajeedah accepts and her life gets transformed for the better.</div>
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But then, Sperks Maganzi goes ahead to marry Lendiwe and together they have a son, Dubai, a graduate from the University of Monrovia. Dubai, through the help of a friend Poncho wins Ajeedah's heart, and the two lovebirds plan to get married.</div>
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Things do not turn the right way though. When Dubai brings Ajeedah before his parents, Sperks Maganzi condemns the relationship-calling Ajeedah all sorts of ugly names. Actually, he does that before his young brother Snoden, who has come to beg for money. Since he sides with Dubai and Lendiwe, Sperks Maganzi drives Snoden out of his house like a thief.</div>
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Snoden does not live without a word, he and his wife Maria utter several proverbial statements which threaten Sperks Maganzi with death. </div>
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But, it seems, Sperks Maganzi still loves Ajeedah. Secretly, the two continue to meet and the latter gets pregnant. Ajeedah breaks the news of her pregnancy but Sperks Maganzi can have none of it. He 'funds' the abortion but Ajeedah decides to keep the pregnancy.</div>
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Silence is not golden</div>
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Throughout the play, which employs suspense and flashback in good measure, one actually feels he or she could help break the silence that engulfs the characters, especially Sperks Maganzi and Ajeedah, as it is the one that finally spoils the whole mood-only to leave the rest of the characters with more questions than answers.</div>
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For example, Sperks Maganzi despite knowing that his son Dubai is in love with a commercial sex worker he does not warn his son about it. On the other hand, Ajeedah knows she is pregnant for Sperks Maganzi but goes ahead to wed Dubai secretly before a money-hungry Pastor Litete of Church of Good Will. It is this silence that makes Dubai and Lendiwe get hooked in the web of HIV/AIDS.</div>
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Money minded 'Ministers of God' </div>
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Dubai seriously wants to marry Ajeedah. He seeks the advice of his friend Poncho who consults Pastor Tete Litete if he can marry his two friends through an 'emergency wedding'. Pastor Litete agrees, but at a price. He needs K35 000 to offer the service.</div>
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This, brings to the fore the money-mindedness that some allegedly 'Men of God' are championing in the country. However, the play teaches that things that receive 'blessings' from such 'unholy' hands do not actually end at a good note. For example, after blessing the marriage, Pastor Litete orders Dubai and Ajeedah to go for a honeymoon where Dubai engages in an unprotected sex and eventually gets HIV.</div>
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Political touch</div>
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In <i>One Passenger Silent, </i>the writer ably brings forth his commitment by addressing the evils of bootlicking or handclapping politics. Ntalimanja, the houseboy, even though he well knows that his boss Sperks Maganzi is wrong by throwing verbal garbage at his younger brother Snoden and his wife Lendiwe, he cleverly claps hands at every word his boss Sperks Maganzi utters-attracting nods from him. </div>
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This can be a lesson to politicians in the country who merely support anything that their leaders say just to remain at the helm of power.</div>
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Evil cultural practices</div>
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When Sperks Maganzi suddenly dies, the villagers accuse his young brother Snoden and his wife Maria of bewitching him. According to tradition of the village, the two are supposed to be killed. They are only saved by Sperks Maganzi's family doctor who comes to clear misconceptions at the funeral by telling the truth sorrounding Sperks Maganzi's death-he overdosed himself with Viagra-'sexpetizers'-after being told that he was HIV positive. He could not just accept his status. Had it been the family doctor did not come up, Snoden and his wife would have faced the wrath of a village custom for a crime they never committed. </div>
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Humour</div>
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The play provides a good sense of humour throughout the two and half hours of its premire. For example, when proposing to Ajeedah, Dubai, in trying to win her heart says "Am I not a citizen of this country?" When Dubai fails, Poncho who is the 'romantic adviser' to the former and finally helps in winning Ajeedah's heart argues that "men of this type [meaning Dubai's type] are in short supply." This and many other humorous lines send the audience into stitches of laughter now and again.</div>
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One passenger silent</div>
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Sperks Maganzi is dead. No one knows what has killed him until the doctor cracks the nut and exposes its contents. Before he died, Sperks Maganzi failed to accept that 'positive living is possible' after he was diagnosed HIV positive and thus opted to overdose himself with Viagra. Now, he can no longer speak and face the reality he has left behind. </div>
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Sadly, Dubai realises that Ajeedah is his foster sister as Ajeedah's mother, unknown throughout the play unveils herself during the funeral to mourn her departed husband Sperks Maganzi. Dubai and Lendiwe fear they have contracted HIV too and the former is mad at Ajeedah for she slept with him knowing she was already pregnant for his father, Sperks Maganzi. Dubai furiously rushes to his father's coffin and grabs his dead father by the shirt-front. But Sperks Maganzi is cold and stiff. He too, like Lendiwe, Ajeedah, her mother and Dubai, is a passenger. But a silent passenger.</div>
<b></b><br />
<b><div align="JUSTIFY">
Lows</div>
</b><br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
But the play, <i>One Passenger Silent, </i>which soars with originality and freshness, creativity and good socio-political themes, is not without some lows. For example, in his incantations, while trying to find out whether Snoden and Maria are responsible for Sperks Maganzi's death, the witchdoctor Chakumanda uses the director's name as one of his gods. This puts off the audience, as all of a sudden, the play loses a touch of reality. The witchdoctor would have used other relevant names instead of the director's Misheck Banda. Also, while it is evident that the playwright did a good job in coming up with a great script, a few actors mess up on word pronounciation and articulation.</div>
<b></b><br />
<b><div align="JUSTIFY">
Theatre for development</div>
</b><br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
According to Banda, the play was aimed at encouraging the audience, especially the youths, to break the silence and "beware of the silent passenger" if the dream of an HIV free generation is to be achieved. </div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
"Multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships are dangerous, positive prevention is key. Positive living is possible, and condom use is a viable option," he advised, adding that production was funded by National Aids Commission (NAC).<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-27006094628433934292012-08-07T12:35:00.000-07:002013-05-06T07:51:25.659-07:00The Graduate<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">By Pius Nyondo</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 132.3pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">08:42am<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I have failed my sixty-seventh interview in three
weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">No one believes. No one listens. Everyone thinks my tale
is fiction. Like you, they wonder why someone with my excellent qualifications
can be jobless six years after university education. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The considerate say I am just some unfortunate bastard,
while the heartless call me a fool. A useless lizard! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They do not know that I am a dying patient. A patient
of this cancer called joblessness. They do not know that, while in this same
city of Mzuzu, the illiterate and ignorant are getting richer and richer each
passing day, the educated and knowledgeable like me are getting poorer and
poorer, rotting in paucity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">08:49am<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I walk through the Rose Chibambo Crescent; through the
many shops owned by our friends from China and India, then past Nation
Publications Limited and Immigration offices. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am supposed to attend another interview this
afternoon. My sixty-eighth interview in three weeks!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The streets are swamped with children. Children supposed
to be in school at this early hour of the morning, scamper all over the place.
On their heads are basins full of all sorts of food. Bananas, oranges, cooked
fresh groundnuts and maize cobs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Akulu, nthochi K10!” one of these children confronts
me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am quiet.
Dead quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Akulu, nthochi zitatu K10!” the boy raises his voice,
now telling me that I can get three good bananas at the price of one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I shake my head. Not that I don’t need them. No. I
don’t have enough money. There is only K100 in my pocket, to cater for my
bicycle taxi fare back home, lunch and supper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The little boy limps away. He looks pale, haggard and
distraught. He looks sickly. Probably suffering from some of these malnutrition
diseases; either Kwashiorkor or Marasmus or both.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">His head is big. Too big for his neck. His stomach is
ballooned, as if to burst the next second. He looks like a zombie. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I pity him. Is he going to sell bananas for the rest
of his life? Won’t he eventually become one of these rough minibus touts or
ruthless armed robbers one day? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It is a fact that he does not go to school. This is just
nine o’clock in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">No one seems to care. I am the only one who can feel
his pain, his broken heartedness. I see a brother who like me is helpless. Who
like me is hopeless. Who like me is nothing. Nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Odi!
Tijumpheko akulu! Kagonaninge kunyumba!”-Hey! Let me pass! Go and sleep at your
house. A stocky young man, pushing a wheelbarrow shouts into my ears. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I jump, people laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">09:05am<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It has begun raining.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I cannot proceed. We congregate at the porch of Wang
Chwung Hwa, a shop owned by Bwana Ling, a Chinese national, for cover. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Annoyed by our being there, since none of us is buying,
Mr. Ling comes out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Chokanipo apa! Simukugula katu!”-get out of here! You
are not buying anything! He barks. Instead of dispersing, we all laugh at his
broken Chichewa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“This is our country!” a fat woman protests. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We clap hands in agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mr. Ling gives up. He knows he is fighting a losing
battle. He mumbles something before entering his shop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Dziko wanu, ndalama watu!” agreeing that the country
is really ours but the money is all theirs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">No one comments. Graveyard silence engulfs the scene.
For what Mr. Ling has said is not a lie. It is the truth. The country belongs
to us and all the riches to them, foreigners. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It pains me the most as I see Mr. Ling slam the door
shut. He looks uneducated. He surely does not have a degree like me. Yet he is
rich. He is crafty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The heavy downpour continues.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Again, I consider myself cursed. My former college
mates, even the dullest, are driving aristocratic cars, working for the best
institutions in town.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yet I, the best student in that class am still without
a job. I am nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">None of my dreams have come true. I am not the human
resource manager or financial controller I dreamed of. I am nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can’t work
for the government; I would rather stay home and do nothing.” I had immodestly
challenged to my colleagues that vivid afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Who can make that silly mistake?” a friend had
intoned, backing me up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Should I not get a white collar job, I will join
teaching.” Bianca my fiancée had chipped in. We had laughed heartily.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“What? So you can have your salary on the 35<sup>th</sup>?”
I had joked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We had laughed again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">That was six years ago. Six years later now, I don’t
have a job, even the small government job I fervently spoke against. Six years
later now, I am nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I lost all my friends. They bragged that I was no
longer of their class as soon as they got jobs. I lost Bianca my fiancée to a
man about five times her age.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">She was until her death last week, deputy director at
Lomba & Bianca Associates, a renowned legal firm in this city. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I still belonged to her after she got her job. We
talked. We laughed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Things changed two weeks later. It seemed her love for
me began fading. She no longer talked. I talked. She no longer laughed. I
laughed. She started avoiding me. She started shouting at me for no apparent
reason.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I persevered. How could I shout back? She fed me. She
clothed me. She sheltered me. How could I just challenge her?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I obeyed. I did everything, anything to please her. I
became her houseboy. I became her slave. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I did all that with hope that she would change. With
faith that she would one day realise how much I loved her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It did not happen. Bianca had no heart. She was a dead
stone, with no feelings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Then something happened one evening. I remember to
have prepared her best food. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nsima</i>
paired with fried <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chambo</i>. She was
unusually late that evening. She came in smelling of alcohol.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">She was not alone. She came in with an old man. Five
times her age!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Meet my chocolate, Lomba.” She had announced to me,
looking at the old man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I looked at the old man, her chocolate. Something
turned in my stomach. I felt like vomiting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Darling, you never told me that you live with some
stinking pig around here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Oh! I am sorry honey. This is my slave, Mayeso!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“She is lying. I am her fiancé.” I protested.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Two successive slaps landed on my face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Shut up your stinking mouth you beggar boy!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“But...Bianca. Have you forgotten our wedding plans?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">She gave me a-you-stink-like-faeces look and turned to
her chocolate. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">She gave him a bewitching smile, the smile she had
given me some four years ago when she had confessed that she too could not
sleep because of me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And before my eyes the caressing and kissing began,
then the unbuttoning. Then the love making, right in front of me!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I cried. It hurt me seeing my future wife being laid
by another man, a ‘great-grandfather’ for that matter, right in my sight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I stomached the pain. I thought she was doing all that
under the influence of alcohol. I was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The following day, I received a call from her. She
asked me to go to her office. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">When I opened the door, my eyes saw the same weird
thing they had seen the previous night; Bianca and her chocolate riding and
rocking, making love in the office. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I realised then that the man was not just an ordinary old
man but the CEO of the company which, two weeks later, was going to become
Lomba & Bianca Associates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Can’t you see we are busy?” Bianca had asked me with
a tired look. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Come back later, you fool!” her chocolate had fumed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I left. Exasperated. I had vowed never to go back to
her office, even her house. Enough was enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">That day I felt like becoming a girl. I cursed the
Creator for making me a man. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">That day I imagined myself in a tight fitting pair of
jean trousers and a blouse that covered a quarter of what it was supposed to
cover walk into one of the big offices in Mzuzu city. I imagined the CEO of the
big office fondling my breasts and then asking me to sleep with him at Mzuzu
hotel. I imagined myself losing my virginity just like that. Then I imagined
myself getting a well paying job the following day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Anyway, that is history now. Bianca is dead. She died
last week after a long illness. People allege the cause of her timely demise is
this deadly disease, HIV/AIDS.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And like you, I know where Bianca tapped the disease
from.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">11:45am<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It is still raining. Some more people flock to Wang
Chwung Hwa, Bwana Ling’s shop for shelter. I sense something tampering with my
pair of trousers. I look back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Akulu, nthochi folo K10!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is that same banana boy, now telling me
that I can get four good bananas at the price of one. It is an offer I have not
heard of in years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Again, I shake my head. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The boy limps away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">11:47am<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The rains stop. The sun sprouts, and in no time it is
beginning to get warm again. Pregnant clouds can still be seen, scattered all
over the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Another heavy downpour tonight, I tell myself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am worried about my hut. I wonder if it has survived
the just ended rains, and I wonder if it will tonight. There is nothing in the
house except a pair of trousers, an old mat and two dirty shirts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nevertheless, I am worried. It is my home all the
same.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My stomach aches. I am hungry. I must eat. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I ran to the Matabwa market where fried cassava is
sold. I cannot afford the expensive meals at Mzuzu hotel, Chenda or Obrigado.
They are places for those who breathe. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ayise fika!
Gado wa moto! K5!” I am warmly welcomed, by a young man popularly known as Gado
man. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am salivating. He hands me a wire so I can have my
pick. I pick ten pieces. That makes fifty kwacha, enough for my lunch and
supper. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I smile.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Gado man then gives me two dirty bottles. In one
there is salt and in the other pepper. I admire his charisma. I adore his
customer care. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I swallow the tenth piece, the last piece. I was
mistaken. I have not spared any for supper. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Gado man comes and stands before me. I know what
he is looking for. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I search my pocket. There is nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Ayise, Ndalama.” The Gado man demands calmly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I search my other pocket, then pockets. There is
nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Ndalama!” He howls, now with an emphasis on the
money. I am no longer his friend.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“I... had...K100...but...I...” I stammer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Ndalama!” the Gado man does not only demand for his
money this time. He gives me two simultaneous blows. I see stars!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The fury and the two blows cause a hullabaloo. People,
mainly rough looking street children and minibus touts, trek to the scene. I
have a problem, a big one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Slaps! Curses! Shouts!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am silent. I cannot do anything to save myself. I am
nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A pot-bellied man approaches the crowd. He stops. He
gives me a sympathetic look.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“How much does he owe you?” he asks the angry crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“K50! K100! K200! K500!” they shout. Actually, some
don’t even know why they are beating me up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Let him go!” he commands, surrendering a K500 note to
them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They disperse, leaving me with my liberator. I
remember him. He is Lomba, Bianca’s chocolate. I kneel down and thank him,
surmounting a temptation to slap him. I control my temper. How can I slap him?
What if he asks the angry mob to give me another beating?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He does not recognise me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Take this.” He hands me a K500 note and walks away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am happy. I am sad. I am bitter for accepting money
from my enemy. But I have no choice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">When he disappears I do not only remember that I have
an interview to attend not very long from now, but also someone who had
tampered with my pair of trousers at Bwana Ling’s shop. I remember someone who
must have stolen my K100.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I remember the small banana boy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">01:50pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am now at Kalikene Imports & Exports, where I am
to attend my sixty-eighth interview. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am panting like a dog in the noon sun. My shirt is
wet. I look around. Nobody is willing to share a seat with me. I see one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I sit next to a beautiful girl. I steal a glance at
her papers and know she is Miss Maggie Kaunda. She has a round face, thick lips,
even teeth and eyebrows as bushy as a caterpillar. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Not long after I sit, Maggie moves. She is disgusted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I smell my shirt. There is really an awful odour, but it
is not that bad.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mayeso Banda!”
a voice calls from the next room.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Akungotichedwetsa enawa!”- He is just delaying us.
Maggie says with a disgusted tone. I am hurt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I walk on. I knock gently.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Yes, come in.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">As I enter, I pray silently. I have no knowledge of
what I am praying for. I just pray.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“You may have a seat, Mr. Mayeso....”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Banda,” I finish quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My eyes scan the panel of interviewers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">There are four of them; a woman with pawpaw-like
breasts, a man with a big scar on his forehead and then another with oversized
spectacles. The fourth man looks familiar. He is Mr. Lomba Phiri, Bianca’s
chocolate now introduced to me as the board chairman of Kalikene Imports &
Exports. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He has recognised me. I read his smile.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Mr. Mayeso Banda, why do you think Kalikene Imports
& Exports should make you the manager?” the pawpaw-like breasted woman
asks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Madam, I feel I have the much needed enthusiasm and
qualifications for the position. I am a self starter, a diligent young man who works
towards achieving positive results.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“What are your qualifications, Mr. Banda?” the man
with a scarred forehead queries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“I have a J.C.E and M.S.C.E obtained from Mtima Woyera
Seminary with six points. I am also a social science graduate of the University
of Mzuzu with a distinction.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The interviewers exchange satisfactory glances. I
smile inwardly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Mr. Banda, have you held any leadership roles before?”
Mr. Lomba Phiri queries, my saviour at the Matabwa market, the enemy who took
away the love of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Yes sir. I was head boy at Mtima Woyera Seminary and
when I joined the University of Mzuzu, I was elected students’ union president.
In both places I showcased outstanding leadership skills.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Should we then call you a genius?” the man with
oversized spectacles asks with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“I have no problem sir if you think I have qualities
of a genius.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They all laugh heartily.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Well, Mr. Banda let me confess that we’ve been
impressed with the way you have conducted yourself throughout this interview,”
the rest shake their heads in unison, “please wait outside for our final
decision.” Mr. Lomba Phiri finally announces.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I wait, as my friends take their turns, one after
another. I am confident I have won the job. I am smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">04:02pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The door creaks open and we are all invited to hear
what we have been waiting for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Well, ladies and gentlemen,” Mr. Lomba Phiri begins.
I am not listening. I admire the beauty of the boardroom, which is to become my
boardroom. I am confident I have won the job. “I would like to sincerely thank
you for your very impressive participation. We have been very impressed by all
of you. But as you all know, we only need a person. This board has, therefore,
decided to make...”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I stand. Everyone looks at me. Am I too fast?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“I am sorry ladies and gentleman,” Mr. Lomba Phiri
continues. I look down. My heart palpitates. “This board has decided to make
Miss Maggie Kaunda the new Manageress of Kalikene Imports & Exports.
Congratulations Miss Maggie Kaunda.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">As they congratulate her, shaking hands, I cry. I cry
for failing the sixty-eighth interview in three weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">05:02pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I walk out of Mzuzu market. Using the K500 note Mr.
Lomba Phiri gave me, I have bought Ufa, Usipa and two Kazinga sachets. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I cross the Karonga-Mzuzu road, just before the
traffic robots next to Mzuzu Health centre. I am approaching Katoto Filling
Station and Katoto Secondary School when I notice a car familiar to me,
shaking. I walk closer and closer until I can clearly see them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mr. Lomba Phiri and Miss Maggie Kaunda are touching
each other carelessly, only heavens know what will happen next. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">For the hundredth time today, I cry. I cry for the
so-called Maggie. For I know that like my dead former fiancée Bianca, she too
has not used her intelligence to get the job at Kalikene Imports & Exports
but her dazzling brown complexion and gorgeous pointed breasts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I cry. For like you, I know that Maggie too will die.
She too will die of HIV/AIDS.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">06:15pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am finally home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Uncle Mayeso! Uncle Mayeso!” small boys shout my name
as they ran towards me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I smile back and give them sweets. I walk closer to my
hut. There is something wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My two dirty shirts, pair of trousers and old mat are
outside.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Before I figure out what is actually happening, the
landlord approaches.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“I am tired of you!” he snarls. “You have not paid
rent for three months now. Go and get yourself another house. I have a new
tenant!” he leaves me in suspense.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I drop the plastic bag containing Ufa, Usipa and kazinga
sachets. I remember Bianca. I remember Mr. Lomba Phiri. I remember the little
banana boy. I remember the Gado man. I remember that I have failed sixty eight
interviews in three weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I cry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-60251259077827328982012-08-06T14:33:00.001-07:002012-08-06T14:33:27.102-07:00Letter from below<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Letter from below<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Dear Temwani,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I do not regret lying six feet under. Although the
soil is slowly swallowing my smooth skin and soothing perfume. I am happy to be
here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Of course, I miss oxygen. I am breathing the air we
once despised in class. The trees in the graveyard are mercilessly eating away
my ancestors and I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Temwani, the handsome man that was me is rotting into
food for trees. But I am still living.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The only thing I miss is the bottle. Do you still camp
at Chigwirizano pubs? Do you still swallow <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chipumu</i>,
the opaque stuff you usually brought from Mwazisi?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I know you love your booze, but drink carefully. At
all costs, avoid playing touch-touch games. The queens of Chigwirizano are
tired with life. Some of them are corpses only walking to raise funds for their
coffins. Hit one without protection, you will join us down here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">You may think that you are living, but you are
learning how to die. AIDS is real even if you don’t see its cause with your
naked eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Those that succumbed to it have told me painful
stories. You know I died of hypertension, one of those executive malnutrition
diseases. Remember the village eulogies?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Here lies a man who ate well!” exclaimed the village
elder, pointing to my homemade coffin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Yes, I ate well-but at owner’s risk. Did you attend my
burial? I only saw your wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">My friend, AIDS is incurable. Apart from overdosing
you with opportunistic diseases, it will make you food for trees like me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">You are dust, but you can save your bones a little
longer if you enjoy your bottle without taking the sugar-coated risks that
follow you to the pub.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Be careful, Temwani.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">But how is dying up there? Are the queues gone? Is the
government hospital still suffering from the shortage of drugs that
fast-tracked my death?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">That was some experience! You remember the two weeks I
endured without receiving a cold drink from well-wishers?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“A patient shall not live on water alone,” said the
woman who died in labour because there was no electricity. I met her. She
wishes the hospital had back-up generators. But how would they run when fuel
pumps could only vomit air?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Remember last week a nameless patient died in the
intensive care unit because there was no forex for his treatment abroad? The
man told us that now a basketful of your money can only buy things to fill a
purse. Is that true? Are teachers still getting too little too late?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">You know I loved teaching, even though I was never
paid my rural allowance for six months. By the way, has government paid my
family now? Push for it because they need it in my absence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">From here, I understand why you quit teaching. I
should have followed suit. Even though teachers give a lot to the society, they
get no respect until they come here. I am saying all this because there is true
freedom of speech here. In fact, yours is just a synonym of character
assassinations and corruption.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sing me hymn 371, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
World Is Not Your Home</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">That crazy world of yours is indeed a journey to our
place. Sorry, it is not even yours. It is for the rich. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The greed up there is awakening us down here. The
powerful silence the weak and steal the little that keeps the poor going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Just recently I heard students were fighting to save
our university from another unplanned holiday. I pity them. Why do they still
risk their lives when some die penniless or jobless after graduating from the
coveted corridors?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Temwani, we are better off here. We are never hungry.
Nobody can buy our silence with bags of cheap fertiliser and seeds. Tell your
people that all bumper harvests are a result of good rains and hard work, not
the soil-scorching salts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Those chemicals are making the soil unbearable for us,
but we do not queue for anything. There are no hospitals, filling stations,
bottlers, banks, sex workers…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I think paradise is here!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">And please, do not write back because you and your
powers are on the Creator’s list of people coming here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Get ready, Temwani. Mend your ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I remain yours,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Nyampoto.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-13953797987130218882012-08-06T14:18:00.001-07:002012-08-06T14:18:22.038-07:00Valentine's Day<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Valentine’s Day<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">By Pius Nyondo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">5:45pm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Valentine’s Day. Strangely, Rumphi was hell
degree Celsius hot. Peeping through the window of the chapel at All Saints
seminary, Botha saw sketchily dressed lovebirds walking hand in hand in the
sweltering heat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Lost sheep!” the seminarian sighed. Were
these not the signs of the times? The spectacle renewed his priestly calling,
for the straying sheep needed a shepherd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The aspirant priest opened his prayer book,
feeling sorry for the poor souls testing his vow never to see any evil. The
book was greasy and tattered. Clearly, it had saved generations. Scribbled in
it were reputable names, including bishops and priests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Equally distracting was pounding music from
pubs beyond the seminary. The sound transported Botha from the prayer book to
Kalimujiso Entertainment Centre, a nightclub famed for its dancing queens and
foaming brews. He was tempted to go to the lost paradise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Get behind me Satan!” he sighed again. He
did not want to bring the church into disrepute. He gripped beads of his rosary
with all his might, returning to the holy book. He loved the thoughtful diction
and imagery in psalms and poems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Gazing through the window again, Botha saw
two girls with their ballooned behinds wriggling like pistons of a perfectly
lubricated engine. He closed his eyes in prayer. When he opened them, he saw
breasts. He gripped the rosary again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">6:00pm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Walking between the two girls, he felt the
warmth religion hardly provided. Side by side, they stepped into the dazzling
twinkle of lights at Kalimujiso, where a neon signpost read: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“WELCOME TO THE WARM HEART OF TOWN”</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Majestically, they joined the jive in the
club and the girls proceeded to the dance floor. Being a bad dancer, Botha
opted to watch his two angels swing their bodies. Up and down. Left and right.
They danced seductively as others looked on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">7:00pm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">One of the girls touched his hairy chest and
he felt the rigidity between his legs grow. In no time, they smuggled him to
secret rooms behind the bar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Nasty noises and wet condoms filled the
corridor. Botha hated what he saw. For once, he understood why future priests
were prohibited from visiting Kalimujiso. It was hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The seminarian knew that the two girls were
not angels. He wanted to tell them to repent or perish. Closing his eyes in
prayer again, he asked for strength. He cursed the minute he joined their
company, but he followed them like sacrificial boy Isaac trailed Abraham to
Mount Moriah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">7:07pm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They were tucked in a room with only a mat.
Dripping condoms were all over the place. Botha ruefully remembered that he was
only in the first year of his priestly training. He clenched the rosary yet
again in prayer for perseverance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Meanwhile, one of the girls, Maria, stared
invitingly at Botha. She swung her breasts up and down and the seminarian held
steadfast to his beads, begging the mother of Jesus to safeguard his
virginity-for even though his soul was not willing, the flesh was getting
weaker and weaker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">However, the boy could not withstand Maria’s
beckoning body. Do they sinned as Misozi, the other girl, waited for her turn.
He regretted having joined the seminary. Life was dull. It was full of
compulsory prayers, weeviled beans and encouraged pretence. Beyond the
seminary, there were no tablets of laws and commandments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">11:30pm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The two girls grabbed his shirt by the collar
and slapped him with a tough question: “Did you think we are manna from
heaven?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They were demanding K5, 000 each. Slowly,
Kalimujiso patrons started flocking to the epicentre of the noise, most of them
staggering with bottles in one hand and women in the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The irate girls raked through his pockets and
discovered that he had no money-only scratched beads of a rosary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Botha wished the earth could swallow him.
Browsing through the jeering crowd, his eyes bumped into Father Martin
Kadyankena, the parish priest, holding a woman and booze with measured
gentleness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“It is finished,” sighed Botha. He may as
well have cried: “Father, why have you forsaken me?” He knew his expulsion from
the seminary was not negotiable even if the priest would continue terrorising
the women guild.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-29662276029317362772012-05-31T12:49:00.003-07:002012-05-31T12:52:44.762-07:00Writing in Malawi: The Past and The Future<br />
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(A paper
presented by Pius Nyondo at the US Embassy Auditorium in Lilongwe for Malawian
budding writers in December, 2011)</span></i></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">HISTORY OF MALAWIAN WRITING</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">History has it that Malawian writing originated
from an evening fire gathering, with elders proudly narrating their old
nostalgia stories and tales to their children and grandchildren. Sometimes,
such stories came in form of folk, myths, legends, riddles and proverbs,
whereas poetry lived and was accompanied by the beating of ceremonial drums and
special dances. But because such stories, tales and poetry were purely
narrative, as they were not put on paper, many were buried and forgotten.
However, the coming of the missionaries in the mid Nineteenth Century to spread
the gospel helped matters as some of this folk literature was written and
translated into publications for the country’s schools and for prevarications
of our culture.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Encouraged by such strides, a few ambitious
writers resurfaced with names such as Daniel Mtusu, George Simeon Mwase,
Clements Kadalie, prize-winning duo Samuel Nthara and Stevenson Kumakanga,
Josiah Phiri, Slyvester Paliani, E.W Chafulumira, T. Dossi, John Gwengwe,
Litete, Alousious Dziko, Chadza and others who were without school of writing.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Influenced by vast forests, long meandering
rivers, migration, fearful wild animals, myth and perhaps witchcraft, their
writings indeed provoked reading habits, with people glued to their books even
when taking strolls or tilling in their gardens.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Soon after Malawi attained her independence from
Great Britain in 1964, more ambitious authors were registered to take up
writing as a profession. But to their disappointment, the winds abruptly
changed direction. The climate was polluted with hazardous clouds of politics.
The one party regime which had a distaste of light brought authoritative rule
that instituted a conservative censorship board consisting of the clergy and politicians
who heavily monitored, trampled down, banned and at times burnt all literary
works that were considered subversive. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Even foreign books such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Animal Farm</i> were bought out in all the bookshops and burnt. The
regime claimed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Animal Farm</i> imitated
and rebuked Dr. Banda’s style of leadership. To those who smuggled such
literature into the country were enemies of the regime. Such autocrats did not
stop there. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A number of writers were thrown into the
country’s notorious prisons without trial. These included high profile names
such as Sam Mpasu who authored a book entitled; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nobody’s Friend</i> which earned him a two and half year detention as
his interrogators interpreted it to mean it was President Banda who had no
friends, Edison Mpina, whose poetry pieces attracted scrutiny and was
imprisoned for four years. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">His 1983 prize-winning poetry in the BBC’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Summer Fires-New Poetry for Africa</i> such
as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Summer Fires of Mulanje Mountain,
Reborn, Journey to Mental Hospital, Deadly Sickness </i>are nothing but a
marvel that attracted political scrutiny. Jack Mapanje’s most publicised poetry
collection, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Of Chameleon and Gods</i>
almost cost him his life. He was imprisoned at the notorious Mikuyu Prison for
four years, warranting him to write another powerful collection, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chattering Wagtails of Mikuyu Prison.</i> He
was later released due to pressure from the International community and
Writers’ in prison of the International PEN.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">However, prior to such crusades, many had
already crossed the frontiers to find peace elsewhere, thereby enriching other countries’
cultures and education standards. Such legion included Professor David
Rubadiri, nicknamed the ‘Godfather of Malawi Literature’, Legson Kayira, whose
novels; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Looming Shadow, Jingala, The
Civil Servant, I will Try</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Detainee</i> provoked the dictator’s anger to ban him even from visiting his
country and relatives, Mkwapatira Mhango, who with his family was bombed by
mercenaries of the regime at his home in Lusaka, Zambia, Felix Mnthali,
Chodziwadziwa Mjojo, Frank Chipasula, Paul Tiyambe Zeleza, Lupenga Mphande,
Wisdom Dede Kamkondo, Walije Gondwe who all wrote and some are still writing in
Diaspora and Kanyama Chiume, whose name still rings bells in people’s minds as
Dr. Banda’s number one enemy.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Though they continued to write in hiding or to
put it in a polite language Diaspora, their writings, even a mere letter was
heavily monitored and censored. The few that remained in the country wrote in
fear, others wrote the obvious, and sometimes in parables which politicians failed
to translate. Perhaps the most prolific who was never tried and is today a
proud author of over 19 books and a recipient of an honorary degree of
philosophy from the University of Malawi is Desmond Dudwa Phiri, former
diplomat, economist and historian.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Journalists were told what to write in praise of
Dr. Banda through only one state heavily censured newspaper organisation; the
Blantyre Newspapers Limited and only one public broadcaster, the Malawi
broadcasting Corporation. In addition to this, foreign magazines and other
publications that talked ill of the regime were either torn , burnt or if to
their thinking had some items that praised the dictator, only met the wrath of
censors by deleting the ‘bad pages’ with black markers. Any citizen related to
those in exile was spied on, in some cases banned from visiting friends or even
detained without trial for fear of polluting other people’s minds with foreign
ideologies.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Countries that harboured such writers cum rebels
were not friends of the regime. They were a threat to Dr. Banda’s regime and
the disciplined people of Malawi. But despite such blockage, writers in exile
continued to write, telling the Banda regime that, writers, no matter the
barrier subjected to, can write and pass through the hands of even the most
notorious dictator. Hence, Of Chameleons and Gods that earned Jack Mapanje
international fame and accolade.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Suddenly, Dr. Banda’s regime collapsed.
Democratic rule of government was ushered in. Freedom at last. For the first
time, people had too much to read. From one controlled newspaper, the streets were
now flooded with 25 newspapers! Books crammed the bookshelves. But to the
dismay, exiled writers could not make their mind whether such freedom was
theirs or it was for the new breed of writers.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sixteen years down the line, after the formation
of the Malawi Writers’ Union in 1995, the response is still sluggish. Many
exiled writers are still writing in Diaspora. It appears many of these did not
believe that the writing climate in Malawi had changed and that the gravel had
been levelled for politicians to brush shoulders with writers.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And may be they were right, considering what
this current regime has turned out to be.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Though the first Malawi International Literary
Festival in 1996 smoked out many of these writing in Diaspora such as Frank and
Stella Chipasula, John Lloyd Luwanda, Tiyambe Zeleza, Walije Gondwe, David
Rubadiri, Kanyama Chiume, Jack Mapanje and a few others, many silently went
back to their caves. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">They prefer to die in exile, while nursing the
wounds of dictatorship.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Professor Steve Chimombo, perhaps Malawi’s ever
prolific author of many titles and one of the founding members of the Malawi
Writers Union once wrote in his WASI magazine and I quote: “We have come a long
way. Our achievements have been so scattered in different places over the years
as to make our contributions seem insignificant.” End of quote.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So, since its inception in 1995, some of the
objectives of Malawi Writers Union have been:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To promote literary works including fiction, poetry, essays, plays etc. You should know that publishers in Malawi and
across the world have of late stopped publishing as many works of fiction as
previously because of the appalling reading habits. Malawi Writers’ Union,
however, has continued to live to its objective. It has published and is still
publishing a lot of works of fiction despite the poor reading culture in
Malawi. Malawi Writers’ Union is optimistic that if Malawian writers can write
well then the reading lust can once again be provoked among Malawians. So far,
Malawi Writers’ Union has published a number of books and anthologies some of
which include, The Blind Search, The Trap, This Small World, Modern Stories
from Malawi, Gone for a Walk, The Bachelor of Chikanda & Other Stories and
The Time Traveller of Maravi.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Secondly, Malawi Writers’ Union is also committed to bringing back works
banned in the autocratic regime.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To publish works that can be used in Malawi schools. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To start writing at grass root i.e. at primary school level with a
recognised creative writing syllabus at all levels.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To enhance the culture of writing and reading.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With an initial membership of 15 at its
formation, current membership is now at 720. And the following Desks exist:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Budding Writers’ Desk</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Women Writers’ Desk</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Non Fiction Writers’ Desk</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Religious Writers’ Desk</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The School Affiliates Writers’ Desk</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Current Executive is as follows:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sambalikagwa Mvona- President</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Shadreck Chikoti- Vice President</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Norah Lungu- Secretary</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kuleza Phokoso- Treasurer</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Christopher Chitukula- Publicity Secretary</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Pius Nyondo- Budding Writers’ Desk Chairperson</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rhoda Zulu- Women Writers’ Desk Chairperson</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ndongolera Mwangupili- Non Fiction Writers’ Desk Chairperson</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bro. Gerald Manjankhosi- Religious Writers’ Desk Chaiperson</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Apostle Raphael Chikwakwa- Regional Chairman ( South)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Petros Phiri- Acting Regional Chairman (Centre)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Albert Mtungambera Harawa- Regional Chairman (North)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our Board of Directors include:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Drs Desmond Dudwa Phiri and Vera Chirwa as advisors to the board.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And the members include:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Emmie Chanika (Mrs.)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fr. P. Gamba</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Justin Kusamba Dzonzi</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jimmy Koreia Mpatsa</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dr. Justine Malewezi</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">WHY DO YOU NEED TO WRITE?</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Perhaps questions that come into our minds now
are: why should we write? Why have people suffered throughout history just
because of writing? Have you ever asked yourself these questions, why do people
write? Probably, the following are some of the reasons why you and I need to
write.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Writing is one way of becoming a complete human being. Writing enables a
person to live life to the full. It is not very different from such sporting
activities as playing football, netball and volleyball; dancing to Black
Missionaries or Zembani band. If you have a tiny skill in writing or a faint
desire to write, and yet you do not exercise the gift, then you are
experiencing death of some kind.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Secondly, words are beautiful things to deal with. They make human
beings different from animals. There is animal and human language. Therefore,
those people who write in life are different from things such as animals, trees
and tables.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Those people who sharpen their skill in writing tend to have more power
and influence than others in the society. Think of such writers as Chinua
Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Jack Mapanje, Steve Chimombo, Sambalikagwa Mvona,
David Rubadiri and D.D Phiri; they are admired by other members in the society.
People who write influence the pattern of life in their communities and beyond.
They even influence the pattern of life for future generations. In short, those
who write have the power over others.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">People write for pleasure and profit.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Creative or imaginative writing can be used to challenge present systems
of government.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">THE FUTURE OF WRITING IN
MALAWI</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Like the rest of the world, the future of
writing in Malawi is uncertain. Most prolific writers in the names of Sambalikagwa
Mvona, Steve Chimombo, James Ng’ombe, Walije Gondwe, David Rubadiri, Jack
Mapanje and many others have aged. The current generation of writers is
shunning creative writing and instead it has become so engrossed with modern
technology. Young people are not reading. Instead, they spend most of their
time either on Facebook or television sets watching movies.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Young people have forgotten that reading is not
only meant to prepare one to pass an examination. Reading is meant to equip one
with some knowledge, it is meant to enable one communicate with others, but
above all, it is also meant to entertain one as the only companion at that
particular time.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And the youths in Malawi are missing this.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But who is to take over from these veteran
writers whose days on this planet are numbered? We are the ones. With a current
membership of about 250 in the Budding Writers’ Desk, we are supposed to help
other young Malawians that they too can write.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our fellows should realise that it is a fact
that reading and writing contributes to the development of a particular
village, town, city or nation. Being one way in which people can easily
communicate, reading thus keeps people who read abreast with current affairs.
For such people, theirs is a world of knowledge and not ignorance.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Reading and writing can also save several young
Malawians from indulging in indecent behaviours since reading and writing will
always keep them busy. Much as we understand that modern technologies such as
Facebook and TVs are difficult to resist, the crop of budding writers in Malawi
can as well spare some time for reading and writing.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After all, the young generation of writers in
Malawi should count themselves lucky. Using the older generation as standard
bearers, they should be able to employ their own creative skills to produce
creative writing that is marked by simplicity of expression, creative rigour,
originality and freshness.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For writing in Malawi to continue living, the
young blood should believe that a single pen is mightier than a billion
swords. As people who form a significant
chunk of the country’s population, they should be able to put off their caps
for people who believe in such a statement.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The young generation of writers should realise
what pens have achieved for the Malawian nation. They should not forget their
painful past; the unlawful detentions of Jack Mapanje, Edison Mpina and several
others who were thrown to rot behind bars under the Dr. Banda’s regime.
Personally, I wonder why, in this day and age, when democracy is claimed to
have been ushered in, Malawian writers are still unable to write critically and
challenge this present system of government. It is unfortunate that we,
writers, who ought to be freedom fighters, are also watching as this government
goes to the dogs.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The recent arrest of Montfort Media’s journalist,
Ernest Mahwayo, by government cops for taking photos at Ndata is deplorable. It
infringes the writers’ freedom to write. And yet the government is claiming to
be a democratic one. What a shame!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This however, should not make the budding writer
in Malawi restless and afraid. I strongly believe that writers are supposed to
thrill, entertain and criticise the delinquencies in their societies. In fact,
writers, by the nature of their job, are activists. So in this era, we need
more of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Of Chameleons and Gods</i>. I
strongly think that, if we fail to achieve this then we are betraying the souls
of our freedom fighters and writers in the names of Mkwapatira Mhango, James
Sangala, Orton Chirwa, Jack Mapanje and Vera Chirwa plus several others who
fought hard so that we can exercise such basic freedoms today.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In a nutshell, therefore, the young generation
of writers in Malawi should be brave to keep the art of writing alive. The
budding writer in Malawi should be focused on speaking for the voiceless.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">THE CREATIVE WRITING
PROCESS APPROACH</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Writing is not a natural activity. People learn
to become writers. One of the ways in which a person learns to write is by
going through the writing process. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The process approach has five stages:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Finding a topic then brainstorming for ideas. You jot down ideas that
are related to the topic. What is it that you will write on the chosen
topic? These could be topical issues for
personal concerns, personal journeys, politics and many others.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Drafting- at this stage you write continuously without bothering about
sentence structure, grammar and spelling. That is, you finish writing about
those ideas you brainstormed in the first stage without worrying about
language.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Revision and Editing-after drafting you read through your work and
change certain things. This is the time you are concerned about language. You
look at the whole purpose of writing and content of your piece of writing and
check on the language. Are the spellings right? What about sentence structure?</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Proof reading- this involves reading and correcting your work. You check
on the form (the structure and arrangement of your work, it has nothing to do with
content), you check on the order of words and sentence construction. You read
the work aloud and silently.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Publishing – you now write the final piece and submit it for
publication.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You can send your articles, poems or short
stories to Malawi Writers Union. MAWU can look at your writing before sending
it to publishers. You can send your article to </span><a href="mailto:buddingwriters@ymail.com"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">buddingwriters@ymail.com</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> or </span><a href="mailto:mawumagazine@yahoo.com"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">mawumagazine@yahoo.com</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You can as well choose to personally send your
writings to the newspapers or magazines that receive works of fiction. Some of
the newspapers that accept works of fiction are:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Sunday Times – </span><a href="mailto:sundaytimes@bnltimes.com"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">sundaytimes@bnltimes.com</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, </span><a href="mailto:sundaytimes@mail.com"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">sundaytimes@mail.com</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, </span><a href="mailto:temwanimgunda@yahoo.com"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">temwanimgunda@yahoo.com</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Malawi News – </span><a href="mailto:malawinews@bnltimes.com"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">malawinews@bnltimes.com</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Weekend Nation – </span><a href="mailto:nation@mwnation.com"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">nation@mwnation.com</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, </span><a href="mailto:nation@nationmw.net"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">nation@nationmw.net</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Together Magazine – </span><a href="mailto:togethermagazine@hotmail.com"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">togethermagazine@hotmail.com</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Since you write for pleasure and profit, when your
work is published in the papers you are paid. The Weekend Nation, for example,
pays K3500.00 for a short story and K1500.00 for a poem.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There are also writing competitions, local and
international, to which you can send your short stories, poems or essays. In
Malawi, for example, there is the MAWU/FMB AWARDS, the most prestigious award
in the country which runs every year. The overall winner carries home about
K120, 000.00.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There is also the John W. Gwengwe Literary Award
which was introduced last year to encourage Malawian writers to write because
they are writers and not just to write for money.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The following sites on the internet can link you
to international competitions:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo8; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><a href="http://www.sapen.co.za/"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">www.sapen.co.za</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo8; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><a href="http://www.cba.org.uk/"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">www.cba.org.uk</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and many more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In addition to the MAWU/FMB AWARDS Malawi
Writers’ Union is looking for sponsorships to introduce more literary
competitions. For example, plans are underway to introduce the Walije Gondwe/
Budding Writers’ Award which will see young people of not more that twenty five
years participating and walking away with prestigious prizes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The future of creative writing in Malawi is in
our hands. It is up to us to prolong the life of creative writing in this
country or to kill it- which I am sure we do not want to do. We must be brave,
focused and creative to keep the art of writing in this country alive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The End</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">References</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mvona S., (2009) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Stranger from Milanje</i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nation Publications for an article by Pius
Nyondo, (2011) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Introduce Literary Page in
Nation on Sunday Please</i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Domasi College of Education, (2001) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Introduction to Literary Criticism, Linguistics
& African Languages, Module 4</i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Malawi Writers’ Union, (2011) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Time Traveller of Maravi, new poetry
from Malawi</i>, Edited by H. Aipira and S. Mvona</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">K. Gadausi & P. Nyondo, (2011) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">An Ode To A Malawian Daughter</i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mvona S., (2008) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Guide to Writers’ and Artists’ Contracts</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-30356865428518222002012-05-31T00:32:00.000-07:002012-05-31T00:34:51.116-07:00Chaminade yatisulila anthu aphindu-Mtumbuka<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wolemba: Pius Nyondo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">8:00 m’mawa, 26 Meyi, 2012.
Anthu mazana mazana ochokera kumadera osiyanasiyana m’dziko muno adali
kukhamukira ku Chaminade sekondale sukulu ku Karonga. Ambiri mwa anthuwa amaoneka
okalamba, ena amayendera ndodo kumene.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Koma sikuti anthuwa adabadwa
nkhalamba chotere, adali anyamata achichepere; ali ophunzira pa Chaminade zaka
zimenezo. Lero si anthu wamba. Ena ndi maloya, madotolo, ansembe, akatswiri a
zasayansi ndipo ena ndi aphunzitsi. Ndianthu ofunikira kwambiri mu dziko muno
panopa ndipo kupanda ena mwa iwo, dziko lathuli silingayende.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ambiri, monga wolembayu,
adalephera kukhulupirira atalinganiza anthuwa ndi maonekedwe a sukuluyi, poti zipupa
zake zimaoneka zosuluka ndi zoderereka.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ndipo pamene nthawi imakwana
8:50, ambuye Martin Mtumbuka a dayosizi ya Karonga omwe adali mlendo
wolemekezeka, adalindiridwa ndianthuwa komanso chinantindi cha anthu chomwe
chidali chitasonkhana mu chisangalalo. Chifukwa chawo chosangalalila chidali
chimodzi: Chaminade idali itakwanitsa zaka 50.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ena amene adafika
kuchisangalalochi sadaphunzire nawo pasukuluyi. Koma amapita kumatchalichi,
kuzipatala komanso kusukulu komwe amatumikiridwa ndi zipatso za sukulu ya
Chaminade, yomwe eni ake amayitcha “sukulu ya a namatule”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ndipo polankhula pamwambowu
pomwe padafika ambuye Joseph Mukasa Zuza a dayosizi ya Mzuzu, mkulu
woyang’anira zamaphunziro mu chigawo cha kumpoto, mfumu yayikulu Kyungu ya
Ankhonde komanso anthu ambiri a ulemu wawo, a Mtumbuka adapempha anthu onse
amene adafika pamalowo kuti alingalire mozama momwe angathandizire kukulitsa
Ekileziya Katolika m’dziko muno.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Tili pa chikondwerero lero
chifukwa anthu ena akutali adadzipereka kuti Chaminade [sekondale sukulu]
imangidwe. Tizifunse lero zomwe tachitapo potukula mpingo wathu.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Iwo adayamikira Chaminade
ponena kuti yakwanitsa kusula anyamata ambiri aphindu omwe panopa ndi nzika
zodalirika komanso zoopa Mulungu. Adayamikiranso a bulaza George Dury a chipanu
cha Marianist omwe adali mphunzitsi wamkulu woyamba pa sukulu ya Chaminade
komanso a Jobidon ndi a St. Denis omwe adavomereza ndi kuthandizapo kwambiri
kuti sekondaleyi imangidwe pansi pa maulamulilo awo ngati oyendetsa dayosizi ya
Mzuzu.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A Mtumbuka adapempha
mphunzitsi wamkulu pa sukuluyi a Moses Wanda kuti akhale a chilungamo komanso
oteteza zomwe mpingo wa Katolika umafuna kuti zidzisatidwa. Iwo adati masiku
ano achinyamata ambiri akuonengeka chifukwa chotengera ufulu wachibadidwe
pamgong’o komanso m’dzina la fashoni. Adaopseza kuti sadzalola kuti ophunzira
amakhalidwe oyipa azipezeka mu sukulu za mu dayosizi yake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“A Wanda, mukhale a
chilungamo. Ngati kuli mvula nenani kuti ndi nthawi ya mvula, ndipo kukakhala
dzuwa nenani kuti kuli dzuwa basi. Musalole wophunzira aliyense kuti
atiwonengere mbiri yabwino yasukuluyi.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ngati pali wophunzira amene
akuganiza kuti angapose ndi kuvutitsa dayosizi yathu, muchotseni! Koma ziwani
kuti aphunzitsinu simungatero ngati muli ndi makhalidwe oyipa. Choncho inunso,
ngati aphunzitsi, muyenera kupereka zitsanzo zabwino kwa ophunzira anu.”
Adatero a Mtumbuka.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Adapemphanso anthu onse omwe
adaphunzira pa Chaminade kuti azithandiza sukuluyi kuti ipitirire kupita
patsogolo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ndipo mphunzitsi wamkulu pa
Chaminade, a Moses Wanda, adati Chaminade idakali imodzi mwa sukulu zopambana
kwambiri m’Malawi muno. Malingana ndi a Wanda, ophunzira onse adakhoza mayeso
awo a J.C.E chaka chatha ndipo a folomu folo adakhoza ndi 95 peresenti. Iwo
adati chaka chatha Chaminade idatumiza ophunzira makumi awiri ku yunivesite ya
Malawi komanso asanu ndi m’modzi ku yunivesite ya Mzuzu.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A Wanda adati pakali pano
Chaminade yakhazikitsa ndondomeko yija pachingerezi amaitcha <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Strategic Plan </i>yomwe idziwatsogolera
momwe ayendetsere Chaminade kuyambira chaka chino mpaka chaka cha 2022.
Panthawiyi, a Wanda adati mwa zina, awonjezera nyumba zina zoti ophunzira
azigonamo komanso kuthandiza ophunzira awo kuti azikhala osangalala pasukuluyi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mfumu yayikulu Kyungu idayamikiranso
Chaminade ponena kuti mu zaka makumi asanu zomwe sukuluyi yakhala pakati pawo
yapangitsa kuti anthu a m’boma la Karonga akhale anthu onyadira chifukwa cha
zipatso zomwe sukuluyi yatulutsa. Adakumbutsa ophunzira onse kuti dziko la
Malawi likufuna anthu ophunzira komanso a makhalidwe abwino.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ndikufuna kukupemphani kuti
mukhale oziletsa chifukwa kuli matenda oopsa a Edzi. Khalani odekha ndipo
musathamangire kukwatira msanga kuti muzavale mikanda yoyera.” Adalangiza
motero a Kyungu.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sekondale ya Chaminade
adayimanga ndi mabulaza a chipani cha Marianist m’chaka cha 1962 ndipo anthu
odziwika kwambiri m’dziko muno monga Kinnah Phiri yemwe ndi mphunzitsi watimu
ya mpira ya dziko lino komanso a Richard Banda omwe ndi mwamuna wake wa
pulezidenti wa dziko lino mayi Joyce Banda adaphunzira pasukuluyi.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1087945552740775637.post-65765203398668880082012-05-30T23:41:00.000-07:002012-05-30T23:43:18.316-07:00The Bingu wa Mutharika I knew<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">By Pius Nyondo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I nearly met him man-to-man twice. First, during the launch of his book, that acclaimed African blockbuster, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The African Dream </i>and secondly when he had called for us Malawi Writers Union (Mawu) executive members at the New State House in Lilongwe so that we could discuss the future of writing in this country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I was eligible to attend both meetings, not only as one of the most ambitious writers this country can boast about but also as the national coordinator of The Budding Writers Desk, a constituent of Mawu.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Unfortunately, I never met this man. During the launch of his book last year at the New State House marquee, I was somewhere in this country preaching the gospel of creative writing and the need of taking it seriously to some young men and women. And for the meeting to discuss the future of our writing industry, it never materialised.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I must confess, however, that I never really wanted to meet this man until, of course, fourteen days before his death on the ‘5<sup>th</sup>, 6<sup>th</sup> and 7<sup>th</sup> of April’ this year. To me, this man was evil, heartless and a non-practising Christian. To me, this man was inhuman and an ill-fated dictator whom because of his incoprehensive policies, countless Malawians were gnashing and grinding their teeth in abject poverty and hopelessness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And I did not just accord this man all these ‘titles’ or adjectives for the sake. I listened to the cries of my kinsmen, colleagues and common people in the streets. I was there in minibuses, pubs and at all those leisure centres where I listened to men and women recite their doleful poetry. I listened to this poetry of cries. Cries of punitive taxes imposed by this man’s adminstration. Cries of being cursed and tossed like dolls in public by this man. Yes, I listened to these cries full of frustration and melancholy. All because of this man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I did not only listen. I, too, saw and experienced the wrath of this man’s adminstration. I saw one old man die of shock after he had been ruthlessly booted out of this man’s cabinet. I even attended this old man’s burial ceremony at his poor village in one Rumphi district. Personally, there was one more reason I disliked this man. I failed to get admission into the public universities of Malawi because of a so-called Quota System this man had ‘imposed’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I did not just listen. There was this immeasurable anger that was boiling in me that needed to be curbed lest I suffered cardiac arrest or other such sister ‘executive diseases’. It was indisputable that I was nothing and, of course, I am still nothing, if Malawi’s standards of doing well in the society are anything to go by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So, knowing the nonentity that I was I found solace in my pen and paper. I let out part of the frustration in me caused by this man by writing literary pieces. In this way, I was safer and felt better. For example, here is, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nyampoto,</i> a poem I wrote in October 2010, which also got anthologised in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Time Traveller of Maravi, a collection of new poetry from Malawi.</i></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Why should it be you? Experiencing all these catastrophes/Shakes, shocks and shoves/Battering your tantalizing beauty/Even after taking care of him/For five solid years/And saving his neck from angry creditors/Your body is nothing but scars/Don’t lose heart Nyampoto/Time will come/Sooner or later/You will wear your broad smiles again/And sing the happy songs of yesterday.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And from the lines, you can nick-out what I was trying to say. Remember, this was when one region in this country was getting discriminated against even after it had done and sacrificed so much for this man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But my hatred for this man, also called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Moya </i>or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Big Kahuna</i> by some naughty newspaper columnists and Ngwazi Proffessor Bingu wa Mutharika by his loyalists, was not to be forever. I began to understand and know Bingu wa Mutharika better after I read his biography on Wikipedia and then a series of articles about him in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Weekend Nation</i> by one Ephraim Nyondo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I began to understand Bingu as an exceptional economist who had worked at the World Bank as a Loans Officer and at the United Nations Economic Commission of Africa as Director of Trade and Development Finance and as Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), covering twenty-two member states. And in all these great institutions, this man was credited for being a great performer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I began to understand Bingu as a true Pan-Africanist and, according to an article by Ephraim Nyondo, a right man at the wrong time. This was a Bingu who had refused to succumb to Western imperialism for the sake of the people he loved. This was a man who had adopted the Agricultural Input Subsidy Programme which restored national food security by increasing access to fertilzer and improved seeds by poor farmers and other vulnerable population groups. And, I began to love this man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Some forteen days before his death, a colleague and writer called me and asked me if my manuscript, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lions from the South, </i>a novella which is about to hit the book market soon would have the same impact in case Bingu died. I did not answer him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bingu wa Mutharika died on ‘April, 5’, exactly some fourteen days after my colleague and writer had called me. I cried. Not that I was worried that my novella will not have the same appeal but because I realised how much I would miss this man . I felt like following this great man to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mpumulo wa Bata.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I miss him. I miss Bingu, the writer and poet. I miss Bingu, the great economist. I miss Bingu, the man who brought smiles on the faces of our elderly. I miss the Bingu wa Mutharika I knew. Not Bingu the dictator, but Bingu the saviour of Malawi from another era of colonialism.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0