God is Good

How long?

2012-02-03T09:10:00.002+01:00

Happy new year folks. I hope 2012 will be a better year for Malawians especially. 2011 was such a debacle, horrible and a year to forget. The economic downturn, violent demonstrations, police brutality, degenerating rule of law and other thorns in the flesh. It was a year I was also nearly punched up by a female pastor when I tried to reason with her over empathy in a community!! Throw in the sudden departures of Osama bin Laden, Muammar Ghaddafi...you have such an extraordinary blood-tainted year.

This morning I was shocked by details on the death in police custody of Edson Msiska in Mzuzu. I broke down and cried as I heard that the post-mortem indicated strangulation and multiple wounds as some of the causes of the demise of the student who was being detained on some petty issues. I said: How long Lord Jesus? How long God Almighty, shall Malawi continue to experience such brutality from law enforcers? If God lives, may something happen to stop this barbaric and satanic behaviour.

Then I heard about the passing on of Mayeso Chirwa, a longtime friend. Mayeso's uncle Griffin Mhango used to play with my uncle Don Mlenga in a local band called Kalimba in the 1980s. I met Mayeso at MBC over a decade ago. We used to practice music together trying to emulate the greatness of our uncles. I played the guitar while he was on the piano. Sadly Mayeso left for another job in Lilongwe and our vision of having a band never materialised. He came over to Blantyre some months ago and he seemed to be in good health. We didnt talk much as Mayeso was busy, and that has proved to have been our goodbye. What a man! Rest in Peace DJ Jeso.

The pride of Malawi

2011-07-02T10:14:00.002+02:00

Lately, I have been reflecting on the social, economic and political woes affecting Malawi. I have felt as a country we are going nowhere with the leadership seemingly out of sync with realities on the ground...what the populace wants of it, what is needful at this hour, and being mindful of legacy. (Do African leaders care at all about the legacy they will leave behind?)
For the first time, I empathised with those that recant their nationalities and turn to be citizens of other countries!

But between 1 and 4 June, I was at the University of Pretoria in South Africa to attend a continental human rights conference. On the sidelines of the gathering I overhead a lecturer talking good about Malawi!! The tutor, a white lady was saying she likes teaching students from Malawi and Botswana.
When I drew closer and sought clarification, the woman said Malawian and Botswana students have a great attitude compared to those from South Africa. A warm glow gripped my heart. It wasn't so bad after all to be Malawian! I felt proud to be a native of the 'Warm Heart of Africa'.

It shall be well with Malawi, and may all its enemies be scattered! May Psalm 27 encourage Malawians.

Of being back and 'mbalume'

2011-04-08T13:39:00.005+02:00

One of my keen followers on this page asked last week if I had closed shop, and I promised to revive the posts this week! True, I haven't been active since the last part of 2010 for a variety of reasons.
Talking about 2010, it is a year I faced many many struggles and for a moment I felt like giving up. But I thank God He saw me through the fire and water, and I agree with my pastor that 2011 is an elevation year. I passed my driving test last month, and also what a testimony to be healed of a health problem that started in 2007 while in Sweden and defied all sorts of medication in the UK, Norway and Malawi. But now I can testify of God's grace and healing after prayer one sunday morning two months ago at my church, Word Alive. Be encouraged, don't give up, don't give in. You will soon make it through the storm to dry land!

Coming to the current situation in Malawi, I want to comment on the struggle for academic freedom by university lecturers especially at Chancellor College and Polytechnic. The heavy-handedness by the authorities in dealing with the protesting dons won't take anybody anywhere. Where has contact and dialogue gone? Where has mbalume gone? Where is tolerance and being fatherly to squabbling children?
My concern really is the aftermath of the wrangle. I foresee brain drain hitting the tertiary education sector again. Also, we are told a number cops enrolled for some courses at the university. How will they be viewed by the lecturers once classes resume? Will it all be water under the bridge? I doubt it! Uneasy relations? Most likely! That's why we need mbalume to act as a carthasis in the prevailing bad blood between the tutors and the police/state. For those who do not speak chichewa, the main local language in Malawi, mbalume is an art of persuasive speaking that wins over the hearts of the listener.

2010-10-26T13:26:00.002+02:00

I had a few surprises in the past week or so. A man I know very well, came to my house asking me to visit a prayer cell (fellowship) he attends on the outskirts of Blantyre. Now this chap was rubbishing praying, fasting or gifts/manifestation of the Holy Spirit as recent as April this year!! What more, I thought he would beat up after making serious but baseless accusations against me. So, when the guy came home one evening it was a sweet shock to learn that he had turned to Jesus Christ and was even urging me to go with him some day to a prayer meeting!

The other surprise was a 'missed' call I got on my phone the other day. I called back. The voice at the other end said she was Jacqueline and correctly identified me as 'Joe'. I was astonished when the woman claimed we met in Lilongwe at Cresta Crossroad Hotel and I had given her my number. After a few more questions I saw the light! It was either a prostitute or a con-woman who got my number from a newspaper advert announcing an event I helped organise in September at Cresta Crossroads Hotel!! I have heard some call-girls or female thieves get numbers from newspapers and 'flash' the mobile to lure men. I cut the line. When she beeped me hours later, I just ignored it.

The last surprise I want to mention is the issue of child labour in Malawi. Several months ago Plan International issued damning statistics about child labour in the country, and the report was met by condemnation and dismissal from Malawi government. In effect the organisation was called all sorts of names. Some days ago, I was flabbergasted to hear a minister who was at the forefront of trashing Plan International, speaking at a function launching a strategic plan against CHILD LABOUR IN MALAWI. Wow!! From proncouncements made at the conference, I think I heard something like one million children in Malawi are working in tobacco or tea estates! What a turn-around for the minister as he said government will work hard to curb the situation.

Uneasy Relations

2010-09-06T16:28:00.005+02:00

Today as I walked along Paul Kagame road I witnessed an incident in which an Asian-looking business-man driving a car slightly hit a cyclist who had a passenger. The motorist was at fault because he turned from the road suddenly and without regard for the persons on the bicycle. What followed was interesting. The two men (apparently black Malawians) were knocked down but got up without much bodily harm. They stood and just stared at the Asian motorist, then after a few moments got on the bike and cycled away. I had assumed that the two would confront the driver for his recklessness!

The aftermath reminded me of what I heard from a certain professor two weeks ago in Salima at a workshop on conflict management. In essence the learned person was saying race relations between 'native' Malawians and those of Asian origin or Asians in general are quite uneasy and there is always simmering tension in interaction between the two groups, if I can permitted to make such a generalisation.

Come to think of it, there is very little social exchanges between Malawians and their 'Asian' counterparts. I'm not quite sure about the stereotypes 'Asians' have about black Malawians (again permit me to have such a label). But 'black Malawians' usually take an 'Asian' as oppressive, a profiteer and not interested in school but business. Actually there is a saying 'miyendo pindize ngati mmwenye mu sitolo' literally meaning a person relaxing with their legs crossed like an Asian in his shop!
Add to this melting pot a story I read in a local Malawian newspaper that some 'Asian' youths had beaten up 'black Malawians' because one of the 'locals' had dared propose love to their sister!!
I agree that the relations are uneasy between these two groups, and there is so much mistrust, fear, stereotyping and prejudices. I wonder how the situation can be normalised considering that the 'natives' and the 'Asians' have lived alongside each other for a long time indeed!

(NB: As the two persons who had been knocked down walked away I sensed fear in them, and I saw a care-free attitude in the driver who didn't even bother to check the condition of the cyclist and his passenger!)

Eventful Trip

2010-08-05T13:37:00.003+02:00

I was in the Malawi capital Lilongwe on Tuesday and yesterday to attend to some pressing business and what a trip it was! I usually stay at a certain Christian media house in Lilongwe where they have accommodation facilities. On Tuesday night around 9.30 I was woken up by shouts and the wailing of a siren. Apparently one employee of the organisation was returning from a field trip and found the gate locked. He somehow opened it. The man came upon four guards fast asleep at that relatively early hour! He proceeded to kick the security officials who in their sleeping stupor thought thugs had laid siege to the facility and started shouting for help and pressed the panic button that set off the alarm! My my my!!! It was sometime before the guards realised it was only a member of staff trying to wake them up through unconventional means.

Then on Wednesday a man appeared at the Christian media establishment calling on the head of the organisation to ordain him as a pastor. The man said the executive was fit to annoint him! The media house's chief however declined to do the honours!

I left Lilongwe for Blantyre around 4pm through Zomba because I was with friends traveling in that direction. We arrived in Zomba around 8pm to find public transport had stopped operating for the night. My pals were going to a workshop and thought they could take me in at a lodge they had been booked. I refused the offer trusting that God will make a way, and I told them they could leave for their function By 8.25pm nothing had happened and things looked grim. I made a cry from my heart saying: 'God show yourself strong in this situation'. As I whispered the word 'situation'...a twin-cabin car stopped by me and the driver asked if I was heading to Blantyre. WOW!! God remains faithful!!

Another Landmark

2010-07-30T13:13:00.004+02:00

It is my birthday yet again and Im grateful to God for the years I have accumulated on this side of heaven. At 6.27am my mother called followed by my granny in her 80s, to say 'Happy Birthday'. I was well and truly touched for that was the first call ever to receive from my 'agogo'. I ended up speaking to these two great women at the same time!!

For once I'm in formal dress just to stress the importance of the day. All praise be to God for I look back and appreciate how blessed, victorious I am in Him, the Ancient of Days.
The things I have done, achieved, the places I have been to, the gifts I have...I give glory to God. Sometimes I have felt like giving up, only for the Lord to show up and reassure me that He is still with me! I thank God for all these years and the experiences, the valleys and the mountain-tops!

On a mundane note I still get fascinated with how women especially want to know how old I am!! I also wonder how women particularly estimate my age to be. Wow!
Here is my birthday portrait, shot at my home in Manja.

God bless and encourage you today and may you live to proclaim the faithfulness of Jehova.

Learning From Others...

2010-07-19T10:08:00.002+02:00

One of the lessons my grandmothers now in her 80s, taught me repetetively was that I should always learn from the mistakes made by my peers whether at school, in the village or at the work place.
I think about that 'doctrine' and wonder how some folks seem never to pay heed to errors committed by others.
Look here! The 'sin' that sent the formidable partnership of the MCP and the UDF into political wilderness in the pre and post-2009 general elections was their abuse of parliamentary majority and being overbearing to the point of holding Malawi to ransome. Before that it was resistance of the MCP government to change, and the UDF's penchant for imposition of office bearers and too much lust for power that proved their undoing.

Now, one would expect the present government to learn from these clear-cut examples of how others lost it. Alas, the regime seems to have stuffed its ears and closed its eyes to realities on the ground.
Judging from popular opinion in the minibuses, the market places, discussion forums, and phone-in shows on radios, the majority of Malawians are against the Bill aiming at changing the country's flag. The government says it consulted, but evidently it was a staged process mainly involving chiefs who could not give contrary views as they 'work with government of the day'. Political analyst Noel Mbowera of Mzuzu University was recently quoted by MIJ FM as querying how on earth there could be such opposition to the Bill if indeed government (or MPs) consulted the masses!

My simple advice to government is please listen to the people, don't force on the citizenry things they do not want, lest you find that by ignoring the dissenting voices you had engaged in a self-destruction mode or had a embraced a 'death-wish' that similarly estroyed your predecessors.

On a personal note, I am back in Blantyre and gaining weight again after the 'boot camp' of Lilongwe. I don't like the look of my tummy!

Games and Idleness

2010-06-30T13:13:00.005+02:00

I have been thinking for sometime why the board game 'bawo' seems addictive to many Malawians and why people spend hours on end playing it. Bawo is usually 'overseen'by a small crowd that among other things offers technical advice to the two contestants.

I have also been wondering about the practice of men idling at street corners or watching caterpillars (tractors) constructing or grading roads.

I ask myself how did this waste of time begin? Is it due to an innate penchant to curiosity? Lack of employment? Mere laziness or purpose?
I tell you sometimes I feel bawo shouldnot be played anyhow in the cities and towns. I feel like telling off the players to quit and do something better with their day or lives! But I guess local legislation and human rights would be against this idea of mine!
But it is evident there is a huge loss in terms of manhours, productivity and economic gains from engaging in these acts.
I wonder if there can be way of comercialising bawo playing! Perhaps setting up a professional league in the towns so that the game is not a mere waste of time!

On another note my time in Lilongwe the capital city is coming to an end. I will miss Kamuzu Procession Road where I witnessed so much drama, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Lilongwe Word Alive Church, Area 3, and more especially the quietness of the compound where I was based. Once again it is being torn between the joy of going home and the loss of friends I have made.

Lilongwe is...

2010-06-19T10:20:00.002+02:00

I have been in Malawi's capital Lilongwe for over a month now, working for an international NGO involved in good governance and rule of law. It has been good experience especially when dealing with politicians in matters of allowances to attend workshops of national interest. One MP at a certain function said it is untrue that legislators are 'expensive'and are demanding when they are called to attend functions organised by the civil society. The reactions from the audience seemed to suggest the opposite was true.

But do we Malawians have to be paid always to brain-storm on crucial matters affecting the nation? How justifiable is that payment? Are we so immersed in a culture of receiving money to do things that we are already paid for? ( For example a journalist receiving 'allowance' to cover a function).

On another note Lilongwe is in my opinion overtaking Blantyre as a hub of commerce. I see industy, enterprise and hard-work from as early as 6am to dusk in the bazaars and market-place. I feel people in Lilongwe farm more, work more, trade more than the counterparts in Blantyre.

Turns and Twists

2010-04-23T14:26:00.002+02:00

The past few weeks have been really busy and stressful as I dealt with academic aspirations for 2010 and beyond, my teaching chores, music ministry, job-hunting and house-keeping. It is funny how people make promises they don't follow up especially when one is in a fix! It is amazing how people disappoint you when you took them as mentors or 'fathers' in a way. Is it the Biblical waning of love in the last days at play?
It is heartening however to see that amidst such negatives some souls do shine and go the extra mile for another person. Some people are simply angels!
I am making a new turn in my career. I will be outside my comfort zone for some weeks in the near future having to leave Blantyre, my beloved Blantyre for another place! I thank God and the friends and relatives who have been there for me and are still there!

I'm dreaming of a future without donor aid and the strings attached, in Malawi. Im pondering life without political interference in vital aspects of the Malawi society like jobs, awarding of contracts and the media operations. I'm thinking Malawi should be free of petty jealousy, cronyism, laziness and apathy. The future will be bright if we do away with these and many other vices.

Why...?

2010-04-06T13:17:00.002+02:00

I keep wondering why the current administration in Malawi seems to be going overboard in alienating the very people who voted it into power as it faced a fierce combined force of MCP and UDF in the last polls. I ponder the recent display of intolerance with regard to dissent. Isn't disssent or alternatives views the very stuff of democracy?
I muse why the authorities are hell-bent on forcing on Malawians the proposed changes in the national flag.
It is clear the majority of people in the country do not want the version being touted by the government, but the authorities seem to have found a way of by-passing that through using of chiefs. The advocates of the new standard claim chiefs represent Malawians and their views. Wow! I haven't met chief Somba in whose domain I am ( in Blantyre) and neither have I seen him or his 'aides' holding consultations with villagers or subjects on the new flag. So, the traditional leaders are only representing their views. In any case which chief can stand up and say no to the new flag? If government wants the truth and nothing but the whole truth about the feelings of Malawians, let it send emissaries to the townships, villages, minibuses, markets and alleyways. In those places the authorities will hear what they HAVE to hear not what they WANT to hear!!

I wonder, why donors want to continue pushing their selfish agenda on Malawi and other African countries. For how long will Africa be a pawn, a puppet, an object of pity? Should we dance to the tune of imperialism for ever and ever just because of donor money? Africa must explore ways of untying itself to this unequal and undignified relationship. It can't happen tomorrow, but still one day the continent must give the neo-colonialists a kick in the backside!!

I was encouraged today as I passed by Mlambalala Primary School in Blantyre. I overheard a teacher propounding the tenets of sexual harrassment and human rights. There is hope for the younger generation in knowledge of rights, so I thought!

On a lighter note, I was thinking today if wives and girlfriends of musicians feel jealous if their man seems to give more attention to an instrument like the guitar than to the women! I'm interested to know!

Mixed Bag

2010-03-02T12:57:00.002+01:00

Happy New Year!
It has been hard to get proper internet, and that meant three months without any update. This update is a mixed bag and is intended to help you catch up with developments over the past months. I moved into the new house at Manja township...some 15 minutes from the bus stop, but the abode is great, much bigger and nicer with a vegetable garden and a bigger one for maize outside the main compound.
In January I started working at Malawi Institute of Journalism as lecturer in human rights as well as investigative journalism. It's great to teach again...how I love to teach! The job is on part-time basis though and I'm searching for more opportunities since I have alot of free time at the moment.

My mac laptop that crashed three years ago miraculously came back to life. I was praying and praying that something divine would happen on 19th February when it indeed happened!! I couldn't believe it when the booting sound rang and I was able to see stuff I thought I would never have access to, including photos of my family, music, documents and pictures of two closes friends who died in 2007 (Lucy Mtembezeka) and in 2008 (Susan Chikuse). Two friends I informed of the resurrection of the laptop said it was divine intervention without me prompting them. (At my church Word Alive, there were prayers called Shiloh Night on that Friday and Im just thinking the blessings overflowed to my home despite my absence from the function).

I was supposed to attend my graduation at Roehampton University in London next week, but the trip has fallen through due to lack of funds. Some travelling would have done me good I think after being 'grounded' for the past nine months.
Near my new home there is a big church and the pastor there has his devotions at 4am every single day and mind you they are not quiet prayers! He shouts into the microphone for 45 minutes or an hour. Hence, Im forced to wake up around that time every day. Im wondering how I can tell the cleric to pray without using the microphone or to lower the noise levels. My thinking is at that early hour there may not be many faithful in that church to require a mike, and they should care about other citizens in the township who would like some rest at 4am!
Lastly, I'm pondering why some people think they are good match-makers, while in giving testimonies about their marriages, they say they prayed alot before finding a spouse or making a decision about a person they fancied. Some of these people when they see you with a girl, they start making hints and suggestions. So they should tell you what to do while in their case God told them what to do? Selah!

It Is Here..

2009-11-27T14:05:00.002+01:00

I'm finally moving this weekend. Gosh! It feels abit stressful after 10 and a half years living in the same house, cultivating friendships in the neighbourhood, and generally enjoying the somehow peaceful township called Nkolokosa. It feels weird and unsettling to think of 'losing' the links we have built over the past decade and imagining what awaits us in our new environment. The magnitude of our loss was summed up by a woman who comes to sell vegetables in our area. She got so angry when she learnt we were moving. 'Why didn't you talk to the landlord to reconsider their decision? Who do you think will buy my goods after you move out? I'm angry...". The woman ranted at my sister, and made off in a huff.

Our neighbour's son said he would seek a court injunction to bar us from going away. The lad about 19 said he couldn't imagine facing new neighbours. It is understandable! Imagine how young he was when we first became his neighbour almost 11 years ago!
I wish we were staying but I guess God has ordained it that we move to a new area with a bigger and better house. In any case we have been telling our neighbours, friends and business clients where to find us! Pray for me..for God's peace, security, grace and favour.

On another note, I feel Malawi is groaning under a burden...creaking at its seams. The long queue of cars waiting for fuel at Chichiri Shopping Mall in Blantyre today was incredible. It reminded me of scenes I saw in Harare, Zimbabwe in 2005. I hope Malawi does not sink to that level. Forex shortages, late rains, acute power and water dearth....it is not being easy, I tell you!
Have we as a nation been focussing on minor issues, political bickering, jostling for power, positions/favours and missed the danger signs of the music we are facing now? I wonder. I call for prayer for divine intervention and also rationality in dealing with the problems rather than shifting blame and finding scapegoats for people's own weaknesses.

Development and Moving

2009-11-19T14:12:00.003+01:00

The past few weeks have been hard in Malawi. Acute fuel shortages, endless power outages and little water supply to the extent of people in urban areas drawing water from some small wells. One wonders where the much touted development is, if townsmen endure such misery compounded by poor learning facilities at both primary and secondary education levels among other things. A look at some school blocks in Blantyre city will tell you how pathetic the situation is 45 years after attaining political independence!
It makes the recent government drive to close 'sub-standard' private schools hypocritical! Check the classrooms at Likhubula Primary School in Chilomoni, Blantyre city, and you tell me if that is a clean and suitable environment for teaching. If you say 'yes' to that then go ahead and close all the mediocre private you want!

Thank you for your prayers. I found a house, something like 2.5 kilometres from my present abode. A little far from the bus stop but the new house is definitely bigger and better! When I move out of Nkolokosa after 10 and a half years, I will surely be out of my comfort zone. But I believe God wants to bless me in a big way and it is all His set-up. I pray that the Lord will meet you at your pint of need too.

Students and Industrial Strikes

2009-10-28T13:30:00.003+01:00

Last week I attended a recruitment seminar in Blantyre for prospective journalism graduates from the Polytechnic, a constituent college of the University of Malawi. I may not have been a pivotal force in the education of the students, but at least I enjoyed teaching them an english literature course while they were freshmen. Of course they have since developed in mentality, outlook and pysche. I have high expectations of this class, and the one that came after them (now 3rd year). I believe fine journalists, writers and academics will emerge from these two classes! My prayer is that the graduating class will aim high..always!

Switching to another theme, I have been fascinated by the recent spate of industrial action in Malawi. The Labour Minister Yunus Mussa has been making 'surprise' visits to companies and factories and I have seen him on TV making statements on how a particular organisation is faring on conditions of service. He has also mediated in some industrial disputes of late. I appreciate that the minister has exposed alot of rot in many companies and as a result there is hope for improvement.
My worry though is that the process will be hijacked by greedy individuals who will start instigating strikes for no clear reason, while basking in the comfort that minister Yunus Mussa will likely rush to the concerned entity and intervene. I see a busy few months for Mussa!
PS: I'm glad to learn that Gabriel Kondesi, the radio pirate I alluded to in my previous post has not been jailed and that the authorities have promised to set up a proper community radio station in his area which Gabriel will head! Way to go Malawians!! I also appreciate those that have made various donations to Kondesi including a scholarship to study locally.

The Pirate, Service Delivery...

2009-10-21T13:25:00.003+02:00

I was astounded by the story of Gabriel Kondesi a primary school drop-out who managed to come up with a 'community radio station' in Mulanje, southern Malawi. The 21-year old man contrived the 'station' from a car battery, TV aerial, cassette player and other odds and ends. Wow!! Pure genius! The only hitch was that it was a pirate radio and he ended up in trouble for his creativity.
I'm glad to learn that well-wishers and his family have managed to pay the 50-thousand Kwacha fine imposed by a court for the unlicensed radio. I appeal to the broadcasting community and business fraternity to help this young man achieve his dream of operating a radio station. Who knows what innovation Gabriel will come up with next given proper resources.
On another note I was in a government department a few weeks ago seeking to meet the head of the section for business purposes. I made two trips in vain, and when I tried to get the secretary's phone number to avoid making another fruitless journey to the office she shouted at me. 'Ayi, sindikufuna zondivutitsa ine'.
Loosely translated the woman was saying I could be a nuisance with the inquiries and she didn't want that. Really? I wondered what she was doing in that very busy and crucial office for her to say asking if the boss was around was a problem. I realised there is still a stronghold of poor service delivery in Malawi and lousy attitudes in the work place. Lord have mercy!

Rights for the Mentally Challenged and Moving On

2009-10-01T11:17:00.004+02:00

Last week the Blantyre District Health Office moved to take off the streets of the city all mentally-challenged persons. What a sight to behold as Tv cameras captured scenes of mostly men being taken into 'custody' before being sent to Zombal Mental Hospital. Some of the 'captives' were shown lying on the floor, some making unintelligible sounds and yet others being shaved their unkempt hair.

I wondered if the rights of the patients were being respected by showing such footage on Malawi Television and in the case of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation screams and other sounds from the mentally-challenged individuals. Are we being told through such portrayals that those people do not have the right to privacy? As for me I found the scenes disturbing and disrespectful of the sick persons. Among those seized by the health authorities and policemen was a man I have known for years who calls me 'cousin' when he is feeling ok and can recognise me. Somehow I will miss his presence at Blantyre City Market.

After 10 years staying in one house in Nkolokosa township in Blantyre, I will have to move on next month end. The landlord and his sister came to give me notice to vacate the property saying their sibling was experiencing a severe financial down-turn, and has to take residence in the house. It is bitter-sweet experience! That is because it is the place I have called home for a decade and it is hard to imagine life elsewhere. But it is exciting as well to expect God's working to provide a bigger and better house which we definitely need as the family grows. Pray for me to find a house by November end preferably in the same township so that plans to host a home-cell do not get frustrated.

Cops and Jobs

2009-09-18T15:30:00.003+02:00

The other day I was in a minibus travelling between Nkolokosa and Blantyre. The driver exclaimed in shock as he spotted a traffic police officer at the turn-off to Chilobwe township. "Shaaa...Matabwa!!". This was in apparent reference to the cop's name. The policeman stopped the minibus and duly 'arrested' it for stopping at an undesignated spot. The minibus driver tried to coax Mr Matabwa not to seize the vehicle all in vain. I understood why the driver had been gripped by fear upon the sight of the cop. Mr Matabwa is apparently a serious and dedicated police officer who doesn't do thing in half-measures. I saw him a ray of hope amidst the problematic officers who seem to be making headlines regularly these days including one who is alleged to have raped female suspect while she was in custody.

On another note, two very different people recently commented that it is very hard to get a job in Malawi especially when it's a young qualified person. These folks asserted that the old guard and those without higher qualifications are making it difficult for younger graduates to secure employment. The recurrent theme I got from those two people was 'fear of take-over'. Now if people are afraid of a take-over where do the graduates go? What will become of the call by the state president for people trained/educated abroad to come back to Malawi and help develop the country?

"Get lost...I repeat, get lost"

2009-08-14T09:55:00.003+02:00

I was going through some old newspapers yesterday and I came across an article in the Malawi News of 14th February 2009. Of course there were alot of valentine messages and pictures of lovebirds. But what caught my eye was a letter from a reader written in chichewa, Malawi's main local language.
The reader was complaining about the conduct of a police officer around Ntaja in Machinga district. The writer alleged that after being arrested the cop started marching him towards a police station in the vicinity. Along the way the law enforcer reporterdly found money amounting to 12-thousand Kwacha or so in the man's pockets. It is claimed the policeman started threatening the man with a gun and then started saying 'Yendera yako' in other words: "Get lost". The complainant said the cop repeated the words and then ran away. He also said after reporting the matter to the 'culprit's' fellow officers, the man was promised that the money would be returned, a thing that never happened. Quite interesting!
If this indeed happened then there is still some way before the police reform programme that has been there for years (or did it wind up?) will show tangible fruit. I'm saying this because earlier this week the Daily Times wrote that police officials had harassed its reporters because they were taking pictures of a demolition exercise of illegal market stalls in Blantyre. Not long ago the Nation also said the police had forced its photo-journalist to delete pictures he took regarding a wrangle between passengers of an international bus company and operators of the vehicle.
The question remains whose interest are the law enforcers supposed to serve? Or in the case of the Machinga saga, who should be running away from who between a detained person and a policeman?

Eating and Saving a Life...

2009-08-05T13:00:00.002+02:00

Troubling news came through on Sunday evening and it was to the effect that a distant relation in Machinjiri Township, Blantyre had hanged himself. Apparently the man, Rogers, had been going through severe financial problems and he thought the only way out was to commit suicide, leaving behind a wife and two very young children.
Those who witnessed the final moments of Rogers say he was still alive when he was taken to one of the hospitals in the city.
Unfortunately for the relatives who were trying to save the man's life, it was dinner time for nurses and other medics at the health facility! They reporterdly went on with their business of eating the evening meal as Rogers lay in poor condition. By the time the medical staff had finished enjoying dinner and started to check on Rogers, he was no more. Shocking!
Allegations of nurses being rude to patients and showing disregard to emergencies have been around for some time now. On one occasion I personally saw a mother holding a very ill young son rush into the hall of the referall hospital in Blantyre, QECH, to alert medics about the need for a trolley or a wheel-chair. Nobody seemed to care and the woman ended up handling the trolley herself...she was later assisted by a minibus conductor whose vehicle had kindly agreed to make a diversion to the hospital!
Is it that medical workers get so used to the ill that their hearts and souls get calloused:hardened to the point that a dying person, a mother in distress are trivia to them? Could it be demotivation due to financial or other reasons?
I'm baffled and I cannot find a mouth with which to narrate my astonishment!

On the shoulders...

2009-08-01T10:00:00.002+02:00

It was my birthday two days ago and I felt quite old when some friend texted me a message citing my age. But then my sister reminded me how blessed it was to reach that age when other folks are dying younger than myself. I thank God to have eaten so many Christmases!

I heard my senior pastor make a quote of a famous scientist Isaac Newton that said 'If I see far it is because I stand on the shoulders of other people'. Profound! Many are a time we forget how family, friends and relatives have carried us to success. I can single out my mom, my sis Chitsanzo, late sis Anne, late aunt Pauline Kwacha, my uncle Don Mlenga, Rev Patrick Semphere, Mr Henry Yakobe, Victor Kaonga, Fletcher Ziwoya, late Don Chimera, the Baliles family, Bruce and Derek Zamaere as some of the people who I have stood on their shoulders on my way to some achievements in my life.
When the youth are having their values upside down it is important to have mentors to show them the way they should go. Having grown largely without a father, I know the need to have a father-figure, or a 'prophet' who will teach, correct and rebuke!

On another note I have been in Malawi for over a month now and I'm yet to find a job. It is easy to start thinking 'Maybe I should have stayed on in Europe' having met an unexpected responses from some bosses and organisations who seemed they would welcome me with three arms upon my return! Still, I feel I made the right move and everything will fall into place in good time. God is faithful, He will not let my foot slip (Psalm 121).
Stay blessed and focused on the goodness of God. May He prosper and encourage you!! Especially you who feel you are going nowhere!!

Appreciative...

2009-06-19T00:30:00.004+02:00

Thanks be to God who always leads us unto victory through Jesus Christ His Son. I'm appreciative of the Lord for today marks the end of my two-year MA in Sweden, England and Norway. Way back in 2006 I was in despair and crying to God to take me out of my trying work situation. He did it! A year later I was in Europe when I least expected it. Praise God! Be encouraged today that God will surprise you when you are almost giving up, He will grant you respite and grace.

My late father never went that far with education, but I know he would have been happy for me today for having a second masters degree. I bet my old man would have come running like he always did shouting "chipolopolo changa!" (my bullet of a son) each time I did something noteworthy. The guy would then brag to his pals about me! Hahahahahah!

I'm thankful also to my mom, for always being supportive and my siblings as well as relatives for the numerous journeys to the airport and welcoming me even at odd hours. I take the next step by faith trusting God and believing Him for a great future. Satan, the blood of Jesus is against you!

Thank you Goteborg

2009-06-12T20:29:00.004+02:00

It is so hard to leave Goteborg (Gothenburg) let alone Sweden. I like the way the Swedes conduct themselves, not hustling and bustling like in London. I like their tact too. I will miss these folks and I hope one day I will be back in this city. Thank you Goteborg University, Dr Elisabeth Abiri, Dr Kjell Malmgren, Smyrna International Church..wonderful people!!
God remains faithful. The past three weeks have been very rough...torrid. But last night I sang the song 'You Are Alpha and Omega...'...as I praised sacrificially I sensed a breakthrough, and today things have started happening.
There is still some uncertainty since I'm graduating while unemployed unlike during my previous studies at Orebro University. But I will walk on with hope and faith, believing that things will fall into place.

It will be good to be home, but it hurts to part with friends some who I met just last week. But as one of my friends quipped: It is time to move on.

Euphoria, Hopes...

2009-05-30T15:11:00.009+02:00

It feels good to rest after handing in the final version of my dissertation for the MA Human Rights Practice. The last 4 or 5 weeks have been tough! I now await presentation of the paper and graduation in London next month. The two year adventure is close to an end and I want to walk by faith into the future in terms of employment and everything else.
The Malawian president Bingu wa Mutharika continues to amaze me. He floored a combined force of MCP and UDF in the recent general elections to win a second and final term in office. The feat and its margin are simply mind-boggling. I say congratulations! The euphoria at Bingu's triumph reminded me of 1993-94 when single party dictatorship was defeated by the masses through the ballot.
My prayer is that things will not go awry like they did in the post-tyranny era.
I hope schools will be fixed for mostly they are in shambles as the picture below shows of learning infrastructure right in the city of Blantyre.

(Likhubula Primary School, Chilomoni)

I was listening to a political analyst from Cape Town University in South Africa, Kimberly Smiddy the other day on the radio. She suggested that an opposition figure should lead the Public Accounts Committee in the Malawian parliament. I thought that was a good idea considering that the opposition is in minority, and there is need to have strong checks and balances. I hear this is an arrangement at Westminster (U.K.) Thanks be to God for the peaceful vote in Malawi.

Resilient Bingu

2009-05-07T20:10:00.003+02:00

Last night a titanic struggle ensued between Chelsea of England and Spanish club, Barcelona in the semi-finals of football's European champions league. A lot has been said about officiation and the post-match chaos after the home-side were knocked out with a goal by Barca deep into added time.What fascinated me though was the way the visiting team adjusted to adversity to win the tie. Barcelona were missing three key players and played a third of the match with a man less, following the sending-off of a defender. Still the Spanish side kept going and scored the vital goal.

This resolve reminded me of Malawi's president, Bingu wa Mutharika. The man may have his weaknesses, but what I have admired in him during his tenure in the past five years is his tenacity and fighting-spirit. He has had a tough time in the national assembly with the opposition trying to impeach him, attempting to shoot down the national budget and to kick out his MPs for having 'crossed the floor'. Worse still the president lost his wife two years ago to cancer.
But Bingu has survived all these adversities and will be standing for re-election in two weeks time. Wow! What resilience!
On a sombre note, it's two years now since my good friend, Lucy Mtembezeka passed away. I miss Lucy on the anniversary of her going to be with the Lord.

Facebook Friends

2009-05-06T14:38:00.002+02:00

I have two friends who are critical of Facebook. One will not join the social networking site, while the other contemplates leaving it. These folks cite lack of 'privacy' and the stress of maintaining their page. Well, I know some 'addicts' who on the contrary are always posting updates and statuses from morning till midnight, literally!
I struggled to join Facebook and it took a Russian friend me to convince me to climb aboard the facility. What I like about the site is the ability to instantly communicate to many friends with the posting of one status such as: 'I arrived safely in Malawi". Gone are the days of hunting for numerous emails addresses. Also I fancy the way Facebook is being transformed into a news dissemination tool. Lately I have come to know about important developments at home through the networking set-up.
What puts me off is friend requests from people that one does not know at all, friends who post irrelevant or trivial matters, sometimes even domestic challenges or uploading of suggestive pictures. Additionally, it is annoying not to get Instant Message (IM) responses from friends who are online, or if you send to them other pleasantries.
I take Facebook friends as real and not just virtual pals. I expect mates to add value to each other and to be a source of encouragement to one another. As a result I have embarked on a drive to remove people I think are failing in the criteria above from my list of friends. A tough call to make, but then risks must be taken in life. I expect the same action from other people on me, and I'm ready to be 'chased' out too!

What kind of people are Malawians?

2009-05-05T11:33:00.005+02:00

Recently two friends from home commented on the psyche of a Malawian. One, a woman, thought her fellow Malawians gossip a lot and that the men are more likely to 'chase' any lady they see. The other, a man, had more happy views about his compatriots saying Malawi are extroverted, articulate and happy. But, a Swedish journalism trainer once commented that in his experiences he found Malawians a bit coy in a multinational setting.
Three years ago, I attended an international broadcasting meeting in South Africa and I was amazed at the Malawian head of delegation's quietness during discussions. I recalled then the remarks of the Swedish tutor! Are Malawians really reserved? If true could that be a legacy of the authoritarianism of first president Kamuzu Banda with his demand for "loyalty, unity, obedience and discipline". Did that land a telling blow on the national psyche?? Maybe this is an area for research.

On another note, I handed in the first draft of my dissertation yesterday and I will have a review meeting on Friday with my supervisor. So I can breathe again till that day!! WOW! The challenge though is to adjust the body clock otherwise it is hard to sleep at 12, 1am...but somewhere around 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning! I'm also enjoying more music lessons for I want to get better this year on the guitar.

It Will Last...

2009-04-22T15:13:00.003+02:00

Some days ago, I read a quote of American gospel singer Mitchell Jones which went something like: Only what you do for Christ will last. These words came to my mind over the past week in which I have lost a friend and former workmate Aretha Kamwendo and two close relatives.
The deceased have all left different legacies but what has been prominent is how they led their lives. Usually folks embellish stories about how departed souls behaved especially in delivering eulogies. But away from that facade it is what was done in the light of Christianity that counts here on earth and come judgment day.

On the political front it has been interesting to see how former president Bakili Muluzi is conducting himself. Muluzi of UDF says he is endorsing John Tembo of MCP as presidential candidate after apparently seeing that he will not be allowed to stand having served the legal two terms of office. The point to take note of is in the last election in 2004, Muluzi told public rallies that Tembo was a murderous person and his hands were 'bloodied'. Clips of those speeches are making rounds even on youtube. Now how and when on earth did saint Muluzi realise that John Tembo was after all pious and deserving a vote?
Otherwise it is spring in Goteborg hence warm and sunny. I have been going out with just a t-shirt after wearing a winter coat for four months!! But then my time in this part of the world is coming to an end. Much progress has been done with my MA paper and I look forward to being back in Malawi, and may God help me readjust to home and work situations. Amen!!

Internet, Elections in Malawi.

2009-03-22T12:47:00.002+01:00

Recently the founder of the World Wide Web (WWW) or simple the web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, said the future of the internet lies in the mobile phone especially in poor nations. In a BBC Online interview
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7943319.stm) Sir Tim is quoted as saying: "In developing countries it's going to be exciting because that is the only way that a lot of people will actually get to see the internet at all."
This is true to some extent looking at current trends in Malawi. The two cellular telephone companies, Zain and TNM are providing internet connection to phones that have web browsers. This is quite a big leap in terms of internet access in the country because the cost of handsets is slumping following removal of tax on the gadgets. Also more people are getting active on the web by using facebook and other social networking sites and mobile phones are proving handy. The cost of browsing using cellular telephones, I'm told, is quite low.

My 82-year old granny has never seen the internet although she makes jokes about sending to me some local Malawian foodstuffs through the web! I'm told she danced and sang after seeing a phone with a browser belonging to my mother. Now the matriarch will see what it means to be online! All that right in the village.

On the political front, former president Bakili Muluzi has been barred from contesting in the May 2009 elections because the Malawi constitution prohibits him. It is interesting that Muluzi is adamant that he will stand in the polls. I hope senior officials in his party see ahead and realise the futility of such words and quickly make a move to save their election chances!
Otherwise I trust God to remain faithful as I strive with academic endevours and contemplate life after finishing this course.

Goteborg and everything else...

2009-03-02T18:35:00.003+01:00

It is good to be back to a place one knows very well. I arrived at night on the 3rd of February here in Goteborg, Sweden's second biggest city, but since I had lived in it before I knew where to go and what to do to get to my accommodation. It is nice to see familiar faces in the shops, church and the apartment after a year-long absence. In the telephone card shop I found the same old lady selling the air-time at the same price of last year. Excellent!

Today I learned that the president of Guinea-Bissau Bernardo Vieira, had been assassinated in an apparent tit-for-tat attack following an explosion that killed his rival, the army chief of staff. How terrible. But then west Africa has this long history of bad blood between democracy and military officers!

Back home in Malawi, former president Bakili Muluzi has been arrested and charged with the theft of some 11 million dollars of government money while he was in office.
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7912077.stm)
He claims political persecution. But then wouldn't we be condoning impunity if we let the charges be dropped for political expedience? If Muluzi is innocent why not allow the law take its course and be vindicated after the due process? If Muluzi was in charge of state affairs and some political figure was accused of chewing that much of public coffers, would the ex-Malawi president honestly waive the charges aside?

The timing of the arrest could suspicious, but still any man or woman when facing charges of whatever nature should be ready to go through a requisite judicial process, for I am told one is innocent until proven guilty. And I would be happy to see Muluzi acquitted if indeed the charges are mere political oppression! That would shame whoever 'conjured up' such accusations against the former head of state not so? And Muluzi would forever walk with a swagger and with a song of victory on his lips, ain't it?

On a sad note today marks the 10th anniversary of my father's death, Alec Ardwell Mlenga. On 1st March 1999 he was all boisterous and joking as usual and I told him we would meet again on the 3rd of March since it is a national holiday in Malawi. Alas, the 3rd was when I escorted him to the cemetery. Rest in peace ye guitarist, 'Jimi Steve' and 'handsome man' as you called yourself.

Snow Chaos, Migration...

2009-02-03T11:25:00.003+01:00

On Sunday I was very amazed with the hype surrounding a forecast snowfall here in the UK. Having been in a few Scandinavian countries, I found it strange to watch how much the anticipated weather dominated the media. Come Monday, I was even flabbergasted to learn that the snow had come and caused something like a debacle in London, a very busy city. It virtually came to a standstill as planes, overground and underground trains plus buses were grounded. It was so unprecedented to me because in Nordic countries snow is akin to everyday business and nothing stops. I'm told over a billion dollars were lost in business in the UK and some six million people did not report for work. Something must be done to make the infrastructure especially in southern England cope with adverse weather.
On another note I heard that a Malawian guy I know was deported over the weekend from Britain apparently because he broke some work regulations as stipulated by a UK student visa. It pained me to learn that the man was given no time to wind up business or at least to go home and take with him some valuables. (I'm told that's the standard practice).
I pray that the UK government revisits such measures I think are draconian. It is my opinion that in Malawi we treat foreigners more kindly even when they are fit for deportation. The same applies to allowing in foreigners. At the airports in Britain, it sometimes resembles some form of interrogation regardless of the fact that one has a valid visa. I'm yet to witness such a scenario in Malawi! Malawi may have its weaknesses but I believe it is still 'The Warm Heart of Africa'.
My time in the UK is almost over and I head back to the books in Sweden.

Debates and Power Struggles...

2009-01-16T12:00:00.006+01:00

I'm told former American Secretary of State, Colin Powell, once quipped that life is made up of chapters and seasons. That is quite true. I have passed through varying seasons in my life and there have been remarkable chapters too. My time in Malawi is almost over and I thank God that I made it home, for I was not expected to be in the country now. The time has enabled me to know better some people, especially the hypocritical or pharisian (afarisi) type. When you are out they pretend to be this; when you are on the spot they are exposed!
I leave the country quite happy with the crop situation; the rains have been good and the staple maize plants are flourishing, at least in my town Blantyre.

I go away intrigued with two issues. One is the candidature of former President Bakili Muluzi in the May general elections. I'm not sure if the man ever thinks about his legacy, considering the failed Open Terms and Third Term Bill in 2004 , and now trying to ascend to power again. I found it interesting to note that Muluzi is challenging the incumbent Bingu wa Mutharika to a debate on the national economy. Muluzi is a layman on the theme, while Bingu is very learned. My take was perhaps Muluzi surmised he could bluff his way around the topic as he is a good public speaker. Otherwise he could find himself in very deep waters!

Secondly is the titanic battle between MBC and an offshoot of the broadcaster Development Communications Trust (DCT). Development Broadcasting Unit (DBU) was supposed to delink from MBC, but somehow I understand the Corporation baulked at the 11th hour. Now there are two entities struggling for listenership: DCT and DBU. DCT claims it went through the requisite process to stand alone, MBC thinks otherwise. I'm fascinated by the power struggle that has ensued and has reached libelous levels, as reports suggest.
I think the two should strive to exist side by side, otherwise the 'warfare' will not help anyone and it is an absolute waste of time and other valuable resources. Just as Israel cannot annihilate the Palestinians and vice versa, common sense must prevail that DCT and DBU will both live on. Good leadership and vision will prove the ultimate difference between the two rivals!
(Quite unlike me to be this wordy in a blog, but I had to get it off my chest and I had stayed a while without blogging). God bless us all.

Christmas Fever...

2008-12-24T12:14:00.002+01:00

It is like the people here in Blantyre, Malawi were told just yesterday that Christmas will fall tomorrow, Thursday. There are long queues in the banking halls, autoteller machines, the shops and streets. I felt chocked and out of place; I quickly left the throngs and I'm now on my way home.
Earlier today, I enjoyed a surprise visit by my younger brother Eddie(he comes right after me). We played guitars and chatted. He uttered many precious things. Eddie has matured beyond recognition. But maybe it could be because he has gone through alot this year. He lost his job and had family problems. Eddie said he realised how valuable family is during his trials and tribulations. He continues to be a kindly and sweet soul and praises the Lord through an acapella choir at his church. What a precious brother!
I wish you a blessed Christmas and a great 2009. I don't know what the year holds for me, but I trust God that as I finish my course the Lord will make a way for me in all areas that hold uncertainities. God is faithful!

Home again...

2008-12-16T09:01:00.005+01:00

Thanks be to God for I safely made it back home in Malawi on the 27th of November. I found that a close relative (granny's brother) had died as I left Norway on 25th November, but the family had elected not to tell me until I reached my house, washed, eaten and rested. I appreciated the gesture. Otherwise the trip was great, save for one moment when the plane seemed to be crashing 30 minutes after take-off in Tromso, Norway. There was sudden loss of height and violent shaking...I was really scared!
In the UK I felt good to hear the British accents again, experience the warmer weather and see my friends in Reading.
It is wonderful to be back at my church and be with friends and relatives.

Sometimes it is like I'm dreaming because of the great distance I travelled and I had given up that I would be home for Christmas this year.
With the Christmas season around, we have had fun at church including games and special presentations by families.
The rains are falling heavily and the maize crop is flourishing.

What fun to eat mangoes, munch ngumbi (flying ants)drink thobwa (local soft drink) and listen to the crows and other birds at 4.30am as day breaks!!
Sadly though some friends seem to have moved on in my absence; it is abit hard to chat like before and sometimes I feel isolated. Also there have been terrible stuff involving some people I know very well and all I can say is "Lord, God, have mercy".
I wish you a merry Christmas and a blessed 2009.

Tromsø...Outro

2008-11-25T12:14:00.002+01:00

My time here in Tromsø is almost over. I thank God for the opportunity to be here, to experience life in a city that is far north, cold and snowy. Looking at a world map, it is almost incredible how far away I'm from Malawi, my home country.
God has been faithful while I have been studying at University of Tromsø. The challenges I met were so numerous and on my own I wouldn't have made it to the end.
I think this was the most challenging place for me to live in of all the three universities I have been to under the Human Rights Masters degree course. Thanks be to God, He saw me through.
It wasn't all stress and worry. I enjoyed walking through the forest and I will miss the beauty, fresh air and security of Tromsø. I will miss the friends I made at Jesus Kirka..Sofie, Norvald, Solveig, Benedicte, Pastor Samuel, Guri, Rex and Elisabeth. Maybe we will meet again.
Next destination: Gøteborg, Sweden. But I must travel abit before that. Pray for me as I pray for you.

O Tannenbaum...

2008-11-22T17:04:00.004+01:00

There is a song I'm liking to sing these days and it is an old German Christmas carol called 'O Tannebaum'. It speaks good of the fir tree which retains its leaves and green colour even in winter, while its counterparts are bare and bereft of colour.

As you may know fir is used as a Christmas tree.
Part of the song translated into English says:
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
With faithful leaves unchanging.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
With faithful leaves unchanging,
Not only green in summer's heat,
But also winter's snow and sleet;
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
With faithful leaves unchanging.

I can't help reflecting on God as I listen to this song. How amazing it is that Jehovah's love and faithfulness never change. Great is the Lord's faithfulness, new mercies we see everyday. How deep, how wide...is the Lord's love for us. While people may let us down, or do terrible stuff unto us, God remains true and steadfast in his care of us.
God's love and faithfulness are much greater than the loyalty of the fir tree.

Summer and Winter

2008-11-22T16:50:00.003+01:00

It has been nice to compare the changes in the forest, I like so much to walk through almost every day! The three pictures denote the variation in foliage and colour of the 'main gate' to the woodland, from end of summer when there was green everywhere:

the leaf loss and yellowing of autumn

right to whiteness of winter.

I will surely miss the daily jaunts in the forest, looking at the small lake, the birds, planes taking off and landing at the nearby Tromsø airport, skiers, walkers and other things that catch my fancy!

El Shaddai..

2008-11-16T15:01:00.003+01:00

I can't exactly remember when I first heard the song 'El Shaddai'..but I recall that it hit me right into my spirit.

What a song and how awesome are the lyrics.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Elyon no Adonai
(God almighty, God almighty, God in the highest, oh LORD)
Age to Age your still the same
By the power of the Name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Erkamka na adonai
(God Almighty, God Almighty, I will love you, oh LORD)
We will Praise and Lift you high
El Shaddai

Through Your Love and through the ram
You saved the son of Abraham
And by the power of your hand
Turned the sea into dry land
To the outcast on her knees
You were the God that really sees
And by your might you set your children free

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El Elyon na Adonai
Age to Age your still the same
By power of the name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Erkamka na Adonai
We will praise and lift you high
El Shaddai

Through the years you made it clear
That the time of Christ was near
Through the people failed to see
What messiah ought to be
Though your word contained the plan
They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
Through the fraility of your son

Mud of Life and Ice...

2008-11-07T16:50:00.006+01:00

Walking around Tromsø in the past two days or so, has been a very risky business. It has been snowing since last week... and raining too whenever the temperatures rise to about 6 degrees celsius. The two elements have therefore created swathes of ice especially on the road through the forest which I use to get to campus. It was particularly treacherous yesterday and I got quite scared and nearly started crawling around for safe navigation!!

Then I remembered the slush that I despised so much a few weeks ago. I didn't like the muddy patches at that time because it was so squelchy and wet.

Yesterday, as my feet trembled on the slippery ice, I wished I had that loathed mud instead.
This reminded me of the fact that in life when things are not so good and looking 'muddy' we often think it is only us 'suffering' and others are having it all good. We fail to notice the positive things and the greenery, only seeing the sludge and muck. But then there are always other folks in worse situations than us. Trust me.

Count your blessings, one by one. Don't wait until it's all icy and precarious to remember that you had a situation that looked 'muddy' and unappealing, yet in the slush was something more solid to cling on than hazardous frozen snow.

Music....

2008-10-30T19:28:00.007+01:00

I have been enjoying making videos of myself playing a classical guitar. I have never used one before and I found it abit tricky since I'm used to the electric version or steel strings which entail heavy strumming. Also I have been trying to learn solo guitar from my music mentor, Don Mlenga, who is my late father's youngest brother. These two men used to play very good music together.

I sometimes wonder what my father would have said about me playing the guitar! He didn't think I had the interest let alone talent to do that!! Enjoy my interpretation of the hymn 'Change My Heart O God'.

.
Thereafter sample my version of 'Give Thanks'

Connections....

2008-10-23T12:26:00.004+02:00

Divine connections...that's what I think when I ponder some of the meetings I have had with various people in my life. The result of such encounters have led to milestones being marked and achievements being made. Look out for such persons in your life...they are God-sent!
At the church I attend here in Tromsø, they like to play the song below. The title is ALL BECAUSE OF YOU and it is done by, UNGFILA, a Norwegian group based in the capital, Oslo. I think it is wonderful:

All because of You
I live and breathe everyday
I'm giving You the praise.
All because of You
I see and feel everyday
I'm giving You the fame.

You make me sing, sing, sing,
Sing, sing, sing, sing...

Chorus
I am because You are
I live because You live
I love because You loved me first.

I'm alive cause You're alive
I'm alive cause You're alive
I'm alive cause You're alive in me.

All because of you - Ungfila

Faith is foolish..

2008-10-07T14:44:00.003+02:00

What a strange headline! But then faith is a strange facet of life and to some quite ludicrous and stupid. My macintosh laptop (iBook G4) broke down in 2007 just two years after buying it new and since then I have had much trouble especially in dealing with academic or literary endeavours.
I kept hoping that one day I would have another laptop, although doubts would creep in due to financial challenges. Two months ago, I found a disused internet cable in the students' residence. I plugged it into the network socket in my room and waited for the day I would have a computer! It was quite 'foolish' for I had very little or no hope of getting one this year.
A few weeks ago I happened to be talking to an old friend, Bruce Zamaere, and he mentioned that he was buying a new computer. From last week there is now something at the end of the internet cable I plugged in two months ago in faith...Bruce's old laptop which he kindly gave me!!

Nine years ago I started buying cds with no hope of buying a cd player due to the high cost of the machine in Malawi, and it was the same case with dvds three years ago. But unexpectedly I travelled abroad where I managed to purchase the cd and dvd players.
Faith is not easy and it often appears foolish, but God will never let down those that trust in Him. That is what I have learned over the years.

Seasons of Life...

2008-09-30T16:23:00.006+02:00

Compare and the contrast the first two pictures. I took the first one with everything looking green and beautiful last month (August. )

Wow! The foliage is so thick and eye-catching. That was when summer was still around here in Norway.
I snapped the second photo a month later on 28 September. Wow! The leaves have fallen off and the trees look bare and forlorn.

That is so because it is now autumn and vegetation turns yellow, red, brown and the trees sure look desolate. I agree with assertions that our lives have seasons ..of plenty and of need; of happiness and of sorrow; of sowing and of reaping. (Sounds like Ecclesiastes 3, huh?)
The lesson from the trees is that we need to be wise with the way we spend our time, resources and more crucially the decisions we make. As somebody quipped our tomorrow is the result of the decisions we are making today. When youth, beauty and strength have gone will we be found wanting or we will have something to fall back on? What legacy are we leaving behind? Will we be satisfied with the decisions we made or will it be pure regret?

The trees in the photo will rejuvinate come spring next year (April-May) but for man, sadly, chances often come just once. When our 'leaves' have fallen off, there is no going back. Selah. Selah again!

Investment...

2008-09-16T15:35:00.004+02:00

I read a newspaper article yesterday about a function at Malawi's energy monopoly, Escom, which concerned long-serving members who were retiring from the entity. One person had actually served for 37 years. That's some loyalty! Part of the story went:
"As a token of appreciation Escom gave each retiring employee a mattress, a set of pots, a mountain bike and an Escom wall clock as a souvenir."

This made me think. Someone who had served for 37 years must be quite advanced in age and would a mountain bike really do in their retirement? Would they have the strength and zeal to go riding? I'm of the view that there could have been a better 'thank you' for the retired workers. How about letting them have free or subsidized electricity for the rest of their lives? How about monetary investment on the stock market (never mind the ongoing turmoil in this field elsewhere!) on their behalf?

I sometimes think we ought to ask people what gifts they want to have for their special occasions because often useless presents are given! To make it worse such ineffectual gifts are in some cases, expensive.

On another note, investment can be in other forms too...mentoring younger folks, teaching a skill to a friend, meeting various needs or just being there for a person. God has invested alot of talents in us and I believe everyday presents an opportunity to make an investment in another individual. How good and satisfying it is to hear that somehow God used you to inspire and motivate someone else who has reached their goal!

Curiosity...

2008-09-15T14:37:00.004+02:00

I have a friend who maintains that I have extra-ordinary curiosity and she dislikes the way I stop and gaze at something that has caught my fancy. I must admit sometimes I get carried away especially with planes and I once landed into a ditch because an aircraft that was passing quite low near my university in London, looked good to my eyes! I like jets and I'm already dreaming of travelling in the colossal Airbus A380!!
But sometimes my curiosity pays off because I notice things some folks do not, and also when I was younger I was the most reliable child to find any lost item at home!
On Saturday, however, I decided I should have perhaps less curiosity. Coming from city centre, I saw a person I thought was a female teacher I know at Tromsø university. I started looking keenly at the individual who was on a bike. The person waved and I waved happily back.
Then....It turned out that it was not the lecturer but a stranger and a man at that. This person then said something that stunned me. He started proposing to me!! I was 'serenaded' with: "You are BEAUTIFUL" and other words befitting a woman's ears, according to me! He blurted out that he was gay. I let him know about my stand on such matters...I like and love women. I bade him farewell as he continued to mutter: "But you are beautiful..."Such encounters may be common-place in Europe but coming from a small African country which is quite conservative in its world-view, I was rocked to the core. All naivity and innocence was gone. That is why I think I shouldn't be all eyes at everything! Less chidwi, chirwaha....

Fishmonger?

2008-09-05T15:10:00.011+02:00

I received this email from the University yesterday:

"You have registered for the following exams:
BIO-2515 Introduction to aquatic biology 5sp Term: 2008-Autumn Examsystem: W Language: English
BIO-3556 Fishery biology and harvest technology 10sp Term: 2008-Autumn Exam system: HSM Language:
SOK-2040 Basic economics 5sp Term: 2008-Autumn Examsystem: W Language: Norwegian
SOK-3554 Resource economics and project evaluation methods 10sp Term: 2008-Autumn Examsystem: S Language:
SVF-2505 Basic social science for fisheries management 5sp Term: 2008-Autumn Examsystem: S Language: Norwegian
SVF-3554 A social science perspective on fisheries management and development 10sp Term: 2008-Autumn Examsystem: S Language- If your exam registration is incorrect (e.g. exam semester, language preference, etcetera), you have to make the corrections yourself. The correction deadline is 6 days after the date of this letter."

Then today I got this one:
Dear students

"Due to a technical error you have received incorrect information in your email. Student number, pin code and registrations for exams are unfortunately incorrect. University of Tromsø will distribute new email or letter containing correct information during the next week.

We are sorry for the inconvenience.

With kind regards

Department of research and academic affairs"

Well, well...It answered my query for I had said to myself: Since when did I venture into this fisheries thing?? Anyway zimachitika...(It happens)..technology is not infallible just like the humans who command the machines!!

Only One - Lionel Richie

The Length of A Tree...

2008-09-04T16:10:00.004+02:00

One of my favourite proverbs is: "The true length of a tree is only known after it has fallen down". The adage is a bold reminder that we often appreciate people after they have gone out of our lives, or they have died.
It is a sad but true fact of life that we take each other for granted and perhaps even belittle the input in one another's life. We do not value the worth and gifts God has bestowed on those close to use, in many cases until it is too late. I overheard one daughter lamenting at her mother's funeral: "I wish I did not argue with mom so much during her life-time. I miss her"...Too late!!
I believe God put friends, relatives and even mere associates in our path and lives for a reason. It could be for sharpening each other, encouragement, comfort, meeting needs and a plethora of other reasons.
Alas, it is at funerals, farewell parties and other such not-so-happy events that we rue, cry and gnash teeth plus moan that while the people leaving us were around, we never showed any appreciation to them.
I encourage us to love, respect, honour and appreciate the folks the Lord has made it possible to interact with, while they are still in our midst. We are all special in a way and add value to each other in unique ways. We need one another and so let us live like a people that know at some point will need the help of others. I think God loves it when we treasure each other and show love, ...more love!!
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love". ( 1 Corinthians 13: 1 verse 13, NIV)

Lessons from the Olympic Games

2008-08-20T10:57:00.002+02:00

I have been enthralled for the past two weeks with the action, high drama plus thrills and spills at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Mainland China. I never thought there were so many sporting disciplines in the world!
I was fascinated by the contrasting fortunes of the Mozambican runner, Maria Mutola, and Kenya's Pamela Jelimo in the 800 metres women's race. Mutola has been dominant in this event for the past decade and was named "the Maputo Express" for her exploits. But two or so years ago, Mutola now in her 30s started to dip in performance and I believed she would not go to Beijing for the Olympics. Alas, Mutola did and she was well-beaten into 6th place by the 18-year old Jelimo as the Kenyan won the gold medal.
It was almost a similar story in the 10,000 metres race in which former champion Gebre Haile-Sellasie of Ethiopia lost out to his one-time protege, Kenenisa Bekele.
The lesson I drew from these two events is that it is better to retire when one is on top of their game, when they are still energetic, when things are still good after achieving what is to be had. Otherwise the end is like the sorry tale of Mutola and Sellasie.
This is a word especially for those that cling to public offices or attempt to do so, particularly in Africa. I cite Africa because that is where I come from and it is where I have noticed worrying trends with this practice.
Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe won several gold medals in the 2004 Olympics and called it quits soon after the Games. That was good. They that have ears, hear this.

Now in Tromsø...

2008-08-15T13:40:00.008+02:00

It's a funny old world. Last week I was in Malawi, the UK and this week I'm in Tromsø the northern part of Norway. I will be at University of Tromsø for a semester, and this institution is said to be the northern-most university on the globe. Looking at a world map it is clear Tromsø is quite close to the Arctic Circle...brrrrrrr!!
The town is small but incredibly beautiful...there are hills that remind me of Michiru, Ndirande, Soche and Mpingwe around Blantyre in Malawi, and there is a lake and dams to spice up the environment.

The views are stunning and the air in the morning incredibly fresh.

It is hard to sleep at the moment as there is a brief period of 'darkness'...by Malawian standards, kachisisila, (twilight) between Midnight and 1am!

Also it takes 40 minutes to walk between the campus and the hostels. By the time winter arrives, this will be a concern!

It is not easy to adjust with the Malawian, British and Swedish way of doings things quite fresh on the mind. Imagine: I was bamboozled by the shower in my bath and it took some 5minutes before I figured out how to operate it!! Obtaining a simcard and activating it has been an experience worth noting...passport details taken and waiting for severals before it is operational!!
At the moment I'm way out of my comfort zone especially with my laptop broken down and being homesick and pining for the ones I love in Malawi. But as always, God's grace is always sufficient. I'm sure Tromsø will be part of me in time to come just like London, Reading, Ørebro and Gothenburg.

Another Year Added...

2008-07-30T10:14:00.002+02:00

Thanks be to God who always leads us to victory through His Son Jesus. I believe that the Lord God Almighty takes us from one level of glory to the other! It is my birthday today and I have every reason to thank God. I feel honoured and privileged to have lived this long...many went to the Lord while relatively younger. I praise Him for the opportunities and windows that have opened since my last birthday...I simply cannot believe what the Lord has done in me for the past year! I have been places and achieved many things that seemed a mirage just last year. Indeed all things are possible with God.
I'm receiving many gifts, text messages, emails and phone calls...I appreciate! I broke down this morning in tears as Mom called and sang 'Blessed Assurance' one of my favourite hymns, and told me what I mean to her and the family...It is so good to be loved and feel loved. Thank God for family and friends! Happy Birthday To Me!! "Tiamwere, skall, cheers"

Almost Over

2008-07-29T14:03:00.002+02:00

My time in Malawi is nearly over. Soon, I will be back in Europe as I continue with my studies. I need the grace of God so much as I prepare again to leave home, church, friends, family and relatives. It is not easy as I ponder the lonely life and the distance from Europe to the ones I love so much.
It has been fun to be in Malawi but also sad. It was great to see the developments taking root, to be part of the every-day nitty-gritties of life and just to feel the pulse of Malawi. During the vacation my neighbour's wife Grace Ngoma and my close friend at MBC, Susan Chikuse died. I thank God I was there to encourage them on their last mile on this earth.
I learned driving...would you believe that I didn't know how to drive?? I enjoyed playing guitar in church, and doing many other things plus being with some people I missed!!!! Of course there are some things I failed to do.
My last year of studies will not be easy and when I finish I will need even more grace to face the future from the relatively easy life of being a student and settling down with a spouse!! WOW!!

Lunch hour and meals in Blantyre

2008-07-09T13:44:00.000+02:00

The other day I was around Ginnery Corner area in Blantyre, close to the National Bank/Pharmanova area during lunch hour and I beheld a touching spectacle. There were about 200 men gathered around stalls offering various kinds of food being sold by some women. There was cassava, sweet potatoes and even pieces of sugar-cane...take note: there was no rice, or the local Malawian dish nsima...just those three cited foodstuffs. I felt sad looking at some men chewing at a piece of sugarcane, and yet others huddled over a few chunks of cassava hoping it would sustain them for the rest of the afternoon. Less than a kilometre away at Chichiri shopping mall, some better endowed persons were having more filling and sumptious food and maybe throwing away large parts of their lunch! What a contrast.
The hordes eating sugarcane and potatoes/cassava personified to me, the hardship currently prevailing in Malawi as high fuel and food prices continue to cause havoc on savings or disposable income of people in the country. With oil prices showing no signs of going down on the international market and the cost of food also soaring, more misery seems to be in the offing for Malawians especially in the low-income bracket and those in rural areas. Mercy Lord.

Human Rights and Journalism

2008-07-02T12:43:00.002+02:00

Last week on Thursday I returned to the University of Malawi, at its constituent college the Polytechnic where I met my former students in the Journalism Department. All I was trying to do was to motivate them to incorporate human rights in their studies and in their work when they graduate. It was a great and humbling experience to be invited by one of my ex-students Wonderful Hunga for the talk, and to have a classroom full of listening students from freshmen to final years.

It wasn't that easy to give a quick background of human rights and then outline its connection to journalism but in the end it went on okay. My hope is that some students will take up the challenge and go for post-graduate studies in journalism or human rights.

One first year fellow caught my eye with intelligent comments and it would be satisfying if he makes it big along with his seniors gathered in the room in the academic world.

Home photos

2008-06-12T13:18:00.010+02:00

Some photos showing my house, relations and my church in Blantyre, Malawi.

Things I Wonder About

2008-06-12T12:19:00.002+02:00

I sometimes think we Africans overdo it when it comes to titles and authority. Or is it that by nature we don't like authority and it is necessary to show 'superiority'? During my time at the national radio in Malawi, it was common to get calls from people saying something like: "My name is Honourable X". That made me laugh. Surely a name can be Joe, Jack, Jane, Mary, but not Honourable Y!!
Furthermore I like the informal nature of Europe where the first name is predominant...even at school and in church. I submit that there is more closeness between the clergy and the laity, teacher and student through that. Sometimes one has childhood friends who with time get ordained as pastors. In the Malawi setting that special link that comes with calling the person by their first name is gone...and in a way the one-time friend takes a new dimension through the authority linked to the title of pastor or reverend. He or she is now a respected, authoritative figure you can't just call by the first name!
In class a teacher is more feared than respected through the title: 'Sir'.
On another note it is winter in Malawi and some areas registered 3 degrees celsius this week. Some folks were quite annoyed when I suggested that at 16 degrees celsius it was only 'cool' and not that cold...!

Home and Away...

2008-05-30T10:05:00.003+02:00

It feels good to be back home in Malawi...soon after landing in the capital, Lilongwe on 17 May, I sensed the smell of the dust, and I said yes, this is home! A few hours later I was chewing sugarcane with my two uncles at Area 47 in the city, before catching a bus to Blantyre where I arrived around 9pm. What a trip! I thanked God for the travel mercies and grace I found before Him and friends like Pastor Duncan Forbes and my classmate Margaret Nyamushamba who took me to Heathrow Airport, and also for the favour with my luggage which included my new Ibanez guitar..(I had worries if I would be allowed to have three pieces of luggage!).
In Blantyre it is currently hot in the afternoon and cold at night. Half the time I am at home trying to 'rest' and the other half visiting friends and relatives, including some who are sick. Yesterday I cheered up two patients, today I have already been to see one and another trip is lined up around lunch hour. These are the realities of life in Malawi. In London and Sweden I thought that one is stressed by hustling and bustling, meeting deadlines, trying not to miss the train, tube, bus...time matters alot. In Malawi the stresses are quite different. Mainly they have to do with social obligations such as weddings, engagements, sicknesses, funerals or trying to meet the needs of friends and relatives.
I rejoined the Praise Team at my church Word Alive Ministries International last weekend...it was good to be welcomed by the leadership and friends...I was a bit rusty playing the guitar, but I should get better. My family are so happy to see me back after a year and I'm loving the attention!!!

Reading CFC Praise Team...

2008-05-12T00:04:00.003+02:00

The Reading Calvary Family Church Praise Team has been making me remember home...I have enjoyed worshipping at their church and of course the 'swallowship'. A pity though that the audience hasn't been as 'dancy-dancy' as that of Malawi!

Of masilipasi, and the wonders of God

2008-05-08T21:15:00.003+02:00

I had an interesting experience today..one of my flip-flops(slippers) or 'masilipasi' broke at the weak point some of you know very well. It was a real hassle for a person like me who abhors walking barefoot, especially in the loo, regardless of the fact that no one else uses it except me!! Being in London aggravated matters, for back home, quick repairs are easy...you take a piece of wire heat it on an open fire and use it to pierce holes into the footware and apply necessary strings or wires to hold the broken strap together( ya, it's the strap that broke!)
With these fire alarms here, I couldnot dare light matches...what to do then?? I should be a 'shoe-repairer' (cobbler) or a barber when I go back to Malawi! My DIY skills in these areas are quite good...after shaving myself with a passable 'cut' I also fixed the silipasi! If you want to know how I did it, give me a fiver!!!

The other day I was trying to buy a phone online and my Swedish debit card was causing all sorts of problems so much that after three attempts I gave up...I was dejected! My friend Margaret Nyamushamba was passing by Hammersmith and I asked her to go to the phone shop and do the necessary (kuchita zomwezo)...she succeeded. I thank God because the phone I was seeking online was locked and would have needed unlocking, but the one Margaret came with for the same amount of money, was sim-free yet of the same model!! I saw the wonders of God as I failed thrice to buy online. The Lord knew that as His child I deserved better, a phone that would not cost me more money to unlock!! Praise Jesus!!

Time Goes...

2008-05-07T14:07:00.002+02:00

Time flies indeed and it seems like yesterday when I was arriving in London for my studies in January. It also seems like a moment ago as I reeled under the pain of losing my close friend, Lucy Prisca Mtembezeka, a year ago today. It's a pity that her photo is on my laptop which crashed a year ago and is proving too expensive to repair...you would have seen her bubbly, smily face.
I still think about Lucy and look at the last ever card she gave me. ( I took it with me from Malawi)...the words say: "When the sun is shining in the sky, brightening the world around us..you are the one who puts a touch of joy, of delight to my world, Love you tenderly". The little girl would have been in form three; she was intelligent and desiring to succeed in the battle against orphanhood challenges! I miss her alot.
On a warmer note..the sun today feels like the African version! Quite hot outside and I don't know how the people basking on the lawn are managing. I guess they are making the most out of the weather, while I as an African, don't miss or mind much sunshine.

Snow in southern England..

2008-04-06T20:58:00.005+02:00

It finally snowed in the southern part of England today. I woke up to some hammering noise at the window and I thought it was rain, only to be shocked by the white carpet of snow. Phones calls about the snowfall made rounds in the part of England I was in, Reading.

It was an auspicious occasion to some extent, as the stuff had only been falling in northern England and also Scotland in the just ended winter. The snowfall was quite a surprise considering that England is now well into spring, but it created fun for kids as they made snowballs and pelted cars on the roads.

Goals Project Graduation

2008-03-28T21:35:00.004+01:00

The charity I volunteer for, Street League, had its 12th graduation ceremony for young men and women who have been undergoing a five-week course called the Goals Project. The clients are mainly from a jobless situation and some on parole. The course helps the students get essential skills to map out goals for their future, and reshape themselves to lead a structured life. Football is part of the undertaking apart from the classes on confidence building and kicking bad habits.
The graduation took place at the Football Association (FA) office in Soho Square, London. The guest of honour was England's legendary left-back, Sir Trevor Brooking, who is now football development officer at the FA.

It was a moving ceremony as the 19 graduates each made a speech, mostly appreciating that their course of life had changed with the goals project.
One of the graduates, Christopher Farquharson, nearly broke into tears with his mother present as he narrated how his parent had been patient with him as he struggled to gain control of his life.

The whole audience was gripped with the sincerity of the man. What a venture, what a day!
The thousands of school-leavers in Malawi, the juvenile delinquents the street loiterers would do with a similar project. I took the chance to pose with the FA
Cup, the famous trophy many professional footballers yearn to lift in England.

What grace from God!!!

The British Good Friday...

2008-03-21T22:01:00.005+01:00

Three years ago I had the honour to witness the Easter season in Sweden. This time around I'm in the thick of things in the UK. Unlike in Sweden, there were signs of people going to church early in the morning in the British capital London. I even saw some two guys with a guitar covered with Christian stickers!!!
I was privileged to attend an impartation conference of renowned preacher Benny Hinn at Excel in the London docklands, east of the city.
It was an amazing day. First my alarm didnot go off, meaning I woke up late to the chagrin of my Zimbabwean classmate and friend Margaret Nyamushamba. Then we found that the shop that sells 24-hour travel cards was not open!! Determined to make the 90 minute journey to the prayers we decided to pay a little bit more by paying cash in the bus and buying the travel card later. Wow...the bus driver said his ticket machine was down and we could go for free!! Then we found that one of the busy underground train lines, Jubilee, which we intended to use was not functioning today!! Still we soldiered on using alternative routes and finally got to Excel just30 minutes before the meeting commenced.
I was impressed with the way time was observed at the conference. The only hitch was noise from planes taking off at the nearby London City, one of the five airports in the capital.

Otherwise Pastor Benny Hinn preached on ensuring financial security in the hour of need. He prophesied that the world economy would crumble in the next few years. Benny Hinn urged Christians to give to God to safeguard provision from the Master. He also said giving should be out of obedience to God and not out of emotions.
I was enthralled to watch Alvin Slaughter, the US gospel singer minister in song at the event.

It was a great and memorable Good Friday and a fitting finale to a day of extraordinary happenings.

While Here You Want To Be There...And Vice Versa

2008-02-29T16:15:00.003+01:00

Life away from home is very challenging. One is uprooted from family, friends and relatives and all the familiar things like church, markets, banking and trading systems among other things. The adjustment in Europe for one coming from southern Africa is quite massive and life can be lonely and tough.

At some point one falls into the routine of the foreign land and gets used to the way of life, and in some cases they may even acquire close friends. Still the nostalgia and homesickness persists. One longs for home and craves for family and friends not forgetting the local food.

But when the time comes to go home, they are torn in between. They want to see their homeland, but they feel a part of them is also in the foreign country!! It is not easy at all. Once home one starts to recall that life left behind in the 'diaspora' and starts to have nostalgia. Try to go back abroad and you will start crying for home again!! It is such a heart-wrenching cycle.

(On a different note, I'm told today the 29th of February is marked by women proposing love to men in some societies here in Europe..how interesting)

Similarities in Malawi and the UK

2008-02-10T17:54:00.000+01:00

There are some things I have seen today which I can use to compare the UK with Malawi.

I noticed that alot of space is taken up wherever there is a cemetery in the UK, especially London, and the graves are close to each other. This is similar to the cramped quarters in the graveyards of Malawi. Some cemeteries in London are the size of townships like Chinyonga in Blantyre!!

Then I also saw that students' behaviour at my university here resembles what used to happen during my undergraduate days at Chancellor College: vandalism and thieving. Chanco students would steal property from shops and take the stuff to campus. It was called 'ku raiser' which in rough terms meant taking without permission, but in truth it was stealing. Look at the trolley at the gates of Whitelands College( part of Roehampton University)!!

It was taken from ASDA supermarket about two kilometres from campus, and dumped at the gates of Whitelands College. I have seen road signs abandoned on campus lawns too!

Global Citizens

2008-02-08T14:10:00.000+01:00

Listening to a speech by pro vice chancellor of Roehampton University this week, something struck me. Andy Masheter said Roehampton University decided some years ago to adopt internalisation to prepare students to be global citizens. He said this was through having international students to study at Roehampton. Masheter's speech was captivating and interesting due to its content and manner of delivery...the pro VC was lisping, a condition I had when I was very young!!

The important thing is I was taken back to my undergraduate days at Chancellor College in Zomba, Malawi. In those days the constituent college of University of Malawi used to have international exchange students from as far as the United States. We shared rooms with them and ate the same food with these folks! Some even mastered the art of 'druze' or shoving and jostling to get served first in the cafeteria or library, while others frequented drinking joints at Chikanda Village and Chinamwali. Some Chanco students were on the other hand visiting the home universities of the visitors!!
I thought that was a great arrangement, but sadly it died down.
This was a very good point for cultural exchanges between the two sides. When two 'worlds' meet like this, there is no inferior or superior side. Both have something to learn from the other, just like it is when lecturers meet students.

I doubt it if Malawian students are getting prepared to be global citizens with little or no internalisation at our campuses. Are there still expatriate teachers? Maybe the curricula are doing that, I dont know. But the world is changing at a fast pace and it would be good to have Malawian graduates with skills to deal with the internalisation, digitalisation and globalisation of almost every facet of life these days.

Mangue Seche....

2008-02-06T11:14:00.000+01:00

That is the Fillipino word for dried mangoes, in Chichewa: mango ofutsa!! Last night my classmate from the Philippines, Grace Sanico, introduced me to dried mangoes. The yellow juicy part of the fruit is pealed off and preserved for sale in packets that cost quite something. I was amazed by the taste....just like eating the Malawian mango ang'onoang'ono, maboloma ndi chiyambadodo . This is something Malawi needs to seriously think about.

During the rainy season when mangoes are at their peak, thousands (maybe millions) of the fruit are wasted because there is heavy focus on eating them fresh. If a batch is not sold within days the mangoes rot, and in the villages it is common to see flies buzzing around trees because of the decaying delicacy.

Imagine, if Malawi imported the technology of presevering mangoes!! The fruit could be enjoyed all year long and earn foreign exchange through exports. Malawians going abroad for further studies could possibly drop a packet or two of the mango ofutsa into their suitcases to help ease home-sickness.

Fire Alarm...

2008-01-19T15:05:00.000+01:00

There was high drama in the small hours of yesterday ( 1.30am) as a fire alarm went off at Whitelands College, an arm of Roehampton University, where I am based. Hundreds of students in the halls of residence including my own, Beverley, rushed downstairs as per fire drills, to gather at the assembly point in front of the hostels.
I didn't believe that it was a genuine inferno in the offing and I had to be persuaded by the hall rep, Emma, to come out of my room. I took my time and dressed up almost fully, including a winter jacket and took along my passport, the various cards that govern life here in Europe and my camera.
It was interesting to see the gathering of the students..some in pajamas, some in coats some shivering in the cold, yet others smoking cigarettes.
The fire brigade came and it turned out to be a false fire alarm. It was hard to sleep after the hustle and bustle and attendance was affected with regard to classes at the university.

Go Well My Beloved Reverend

2008-01-10T21:28:00.000+01:00

I got a very upsetting sms today as I was in an orientation seminar in the library of Roehampton University. Reverend Lonjezo Phiri had passed away. What a shock to me! I knew he had been in poor health due to a long-standing liver problem but last time I called home he seemed to be in good health. I had been praying for him alot, and I tell you, when you pray for someone and they pass on, it hurts...yet the answer lies with God.
Reverend Lo was my nephew who turned one just two days ago. I saw in him a man who would preach and testify about God's goodness in his life. I saw him overcoming his health challenges to grow up in wisdom and stature to reach out to many people through ministry.

That is why I referred to him as Reverend Lonjezo. I broke down on the phone as mom spoke of how his health took a turn for the worse on his first birthday and how today he woke up strong in hospital and was singing baby songs..must have been praising God for the time he shared he shared with us!!
Then his condition suddenly changed around lunch hour and he was gone. I'm hurting but mom's words have been an encouragement...he went peacefully and his rest is the will of God. Mom sang over his body the hymns she often sang to him, before he was taken away to the mortuary.

May my beloved Reverend minister to many tomorrow as he will be laid to rest at Likhubula cemetery in Chilomoni, Blantyre, Malawi.
This is an sms I sent to Jane my sister, mother of Lonjezo on the baby's birthday on Monday, 8 January 2008:
Happy Birthday to my beloved nephew Reverend Lonjezo. I wish him God's favour, anointing to overcome and overtake. May he grow up praising God and testifying.

God be praised.

Another chapter...London

2008-01-07T12:32:00.000+01:00

A year ago, I never ever imagined that I would be living in London and studying in this city. As a young boy I always dreamed of winning a scholarship to study journalism or creative writing. I even tried to apply for correspondence school when I was in primary school, but the dream never materialised because I couldnot afford the fees. Many years later, I'm in London and pursuing further studies, just as I wanted when I was about 13 years old, in a small village called Chibwana near Chilomoni township in Blantyre, Malawi. God is good!
I'm at Roehampton University for the second semester of my MA programme. London is busy and big and very expensive. But then it is warmer than Sweden and therefore alot of green in the foliage! I'm enjoying the planes as they fly low near my hostel to land at Heathrow..small and huge aircraft!
Yesterday, I visited Mary Ching'ang'a, a friend I have known for close to 20 years. We had nsima the Malawian dish and meatballs with alot of pepper...the Malawian way.
It is interesting to note many other similarities and differences of London and Goteborg. But then it is another milestone and another chapter in my life.

Nyarsdagen...

2008-01-01T17:11:00.000+01:00

New Year's Day...I thank God again for giving me the grace to witness new year's events in another country, away from Malawi. I spent the last hours of yesterday, Nyarsafton, at my church Smyrna International. Pastor Belton Mubiru led the congregation in praise and worship. The man is talented musically..his compositions are great!! The service was marked by a break between 10 and 11pm to eat dinner.
The youth from Smyrna added to a new dimension to the worship and the teenage guitarist was fantastic, Here I Am To Worship, Lord I Lift Your Name On High, Reign In Me, How Great Is Our God, Celebrate Jesus Celebrate, are some of the songs I enjoyed. After the service the congregation set off fireworks. It was a night to remember.

Pastor Belton prayed for me too and released me, as it was my last time to be at the church. Praise God! Today, it snowed abit in Goteborg and I managed t call home to say, Hape Nyuwere!!

Juldagen i Goteborg, Sverige...

2007-12-25T19:28:00.000+01:00

Christmas day in Gothenburg, Sweden...A year ago I would never have imagined that I would be in Sweden for Christmas. In 2006, I did not enjoy much Christmas because of some tensions with my best friend Michaella. It was a crazy day and it rained so much as we fought through sms.
Ahead of juldagen 2007, I was thinking that I would have a miserable day again being faraway from home and spending Christmas without the family and friends for the first time ever!
Waking up I prayed and sang, "Adeste Fidelis"....or " O Come O ye Faithful..". I had a modest breakfast of cornflakes and chocolate. Then it was a flurry of sms with Michaella, my friends and relatives. It was a rainy cold and dark day. But in the afternoon I walked to town to have fresh air, as I have been indoors since Sunday. The streets and shops were empty, save for a few folks.
By four pm local time I had eaten dinner. My Ugandan friends Judith Igeme and Joan Namulondo cooked a huge dinner of potatoes, rice and pork....yes, ganda limene atate!! It was meat brought from Norway by their countryman Eria Serwaja. It was fantastic, real African pork...saona ndege, nkhumba, namwali veke....aaa,kapado... sumptious!!
I was at home and in the end, I enjoyed being here. I realise God wanted to teach me something through this experience of being away from family at this precious time of Christmas. How about the poor, lonely folks that do not have any family? All the time? Thank you Jesus, you are the reason for the season.

Julklapp...

2007-12-21T16:03:00.000+01:00

Julklapp...Christmas present in Swedish! I was told that I was getting a Christmas present earlier in the afternoon today. I lost my new Nokia phone I bought just last month and last night I had just recharged it with 75 kronor of airtime. I lost it at Olivedalsgatan, a tram stop where I usually get Goteborg City a free newspaper that incidentally stops coming out from today on.

As I leaned down to take the paper at about 8.05 am, my mobile must have fallen out and since it was dark (it's longest night today, 21 December) I never noticed the gadget until 30 minutes later when I realised it was missing. I was down and all seemed lost as I could not get through the missing phone. Still I prayed. An hour later I made a connection. Praise God for this Swedish woman who faithfully kept the cellphone and returned it to me.
"This is your Christmas present" She joked! I saw Jesus, the main actor at Christmas, in that lady's attitude. May God reach her and heal her of all her infirmities.

Dreaming of a White Christmas...

2007-12-18T14:44:00.000+01:00

It is very cold today in Göteborg with the temperatures hovering around zero degrees celsius, but no snow yet. We have had only a small snow-storm that quickly disappeared as soon as it came. I hope it snows on Christmas day, so that I experience a White Christmas!!
The first semester for my MA programme ends in this week. It has been tough going with various distractions affecting the studies, but God has been faithful. There have been people like Kjell Malmgren, our dear teacher Elisabeth Abiri, my countryman Sidney Kalimanjira and Smyrna International Church...they made a difference during the rough times! God bless you all.
On another note last Saturday was tragic for Sidney. He lost his father back home in Malawi. Ironically Sidney invited almost all his close friends to his house including Major Dan Kuwali, who I last saw 10 years ago at Chancellor College in Malawi. It was a happy and loud party, only to be shattered by the sad news. Sidney told me of his heart-break and the night of crying on Saturday. I understood him having lost my father in 1999. The pain can be too much even for a man.

Don't Repair, Buy a New One...

2007-11-29T14:16:00.000+01:00

I now know why I see loads of electronic goods dumped around some places in Sweden. Some of the gadgets look quite new. Today, I was at Macforum, a shop that repairs Apple computers in connection with my iBook G4 laptop that stopped working in April this year. I was told it would cost about 6,400 SEK to revive the machine...what a laugh! (I bought the laptop at around 7000 SEK two years ago)

I was told that the logic board of the iBook G4 needed replacement, and in the opinion of Macforum, I should buy a new laptop and not repair the old machine. Aha!! Sidney Kalimanjira, a Malawian who lives in Göteborg, narrated a similar experience..his damaged dvd player would cost 500 SEK to repair, yet a new one costs 300 SEK!!
Apparently Apple the manufacturers of the iBook G4 are facing a petition over thousands of defective machines they sold...iBook G4 logic board shows that over three thousands laptops were made with bad logic boards. I'm petitioner 3144, by the way. So far Apple company is silent and Applestore no longer has the iBook G4 in stock....the reason should be obvious. Rejoice in the Lord, always. Again I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4

Globalisation and Cellphones

2007-11-22T15:37:00.000+01:00

My class is currently studying globalisation in relation to human rights. When I look at the mobile phone or 'cellular' as we fondly call it in Malawi, I see a very good expression of globalisation. It defies established borders and the traditional time lag associated with posting letters. Imagine, I can sit in class in Sweden and send instructions to my siblings back home whether they are in the home or out in the maize garden..thanks to the sms facility. Before this invention it would take a letter to be written, be posted and arrive in Malawi a month later, rendering the 'news' stale!

But the cellphone can be a source of misadventure if handled absent-mindedly! On Saturday, 17th November, I was thrilled to receive a text message from a long-time friend visiting Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Now as I replied I failed to notice that the name of this lady pal was next to my Mom's in the phonebook. The reply thus, went to my mother in Blantyre and reached her in the middle of the night at a church meeting.
The content of the sms was quite interesting, but not one I would have wanted mom to know about, let alone read!! Mercifully, Mrs Mercy Maureen Mlenga took it all in her stride and texted back to me saying:
"Good Luck Son!!"

SOLVE THE CRISIS AT UNIMA..

2007-11-12T13:41:00.000+01:00

I hear the industrial action at the University of Malawi has resumed today after the lecturers went back to class last week waiting for government to do something about their demands for a pay rise. What a fiasco with the academic calendar already in tatters! Remember there was a selection for entrants into the university not so long ago. Will it be a case of having two first year classes in 2008? Really, someone, somewhere needs to take decisive action to clear out the mess.
Having taught at the Polytechnic for two academic years, I understand the lecturers' demands...it is not easy to teach, especially if the student is academically-challenged --you need alot of patience! Put in the long hours of researching and getting ready for a lecture...some students are really smart and you have to prove your mettle that you deserve to teach them.
To this mix throw in marking during exams...my goodness! It is back-breaking. So when you receive not so much at the end of the day, you tend to question: Is it worth it to go on or should I be part of the statistics for brain?

A Dose Of My Own Medicine...

2007-11-09T16:25:00.000+01:00

As a lecturer at the Malawi Polytechnic for the past two academic years, I was in a position to formulate and administer english literature examinations to students in the Journalism and Media Studies Department. I often wondered how they made basic mistakes during the tests, and coming up with 'horrible' handwriting.
Today I was at the receiving end, facing written examinations after over ten years without such 'harassment'. We finished the law module of the course with a three-hour paper. Looking at the way I initially reacted to the paper and my handwriting at the end of the undertaking, I think I had a judicious dose of my own medicine..excuse the pun!
It went on well though, and at least one of the two questions, 'ndinalikomaniza' or anticipated it. Thank you friends and family in Sweden, the UK and Malawi for your encouragement and prayers. Whew! Now there is this empty feeling that usually comes after writing examinations realising there is nothing to keep you that busy...at least for the weekend!

Sista klassen...

2007-10-31T12:31:00.000+01:00

Last class....we had our final Swedish language class yesterday with our tutor Lars Bergman, who faithfully delivered the basics of the language to our class since the semester commenced in September.

It has been mostly fun, though attendance wasn't good. Mostly there were two or three students attending the lessons. I missed only once class because I had to travel to Stockholm last week.

I believe I have learnt much more than I did while at Örebro, but I can't speak better. I can hear alot more, but the frustration is not being able to communicate. I wish I could speak better and hear what is being said on the TV or radio and the talk in the streets and buses. As a journalist, I like hearing discussions on hot issues in such places!!

To Lars Bergman, I say Thank You or 'Tack'.

MOURNING LUCKY DUBE....

2007-10-19T12:58:00.000+02:00

My friend in Blantyre, Malawi, Michaella broke the news of the passing on of Lucky Dube, arguably South Africa's most popular reggae artist. Dube was killed last night by armed bandits in Johannesburg trying to steal his car.

I am shocked at the death of this artist I consider a legend and special. Growing up in a poor neighbourhood of Blantyre, I identified with his lyrics of social justice, suffering and hope for tomorrow. I attended Lucky Dube's show in Blantyre in 1990 ...the best I have ever seen, and the patronage was huge!
I sometimes saw the influence of Peter Tosh in Lucky Dube's music, and I'm struck that Dube has met a violent death just like Peter Tosh...at the hands of merciless killers.
Like a true genius Dube did not live long...he shook and made a mark on the world stage and went too soon, just like other music greats like Bob Marley, Malawi's Evison Matafale, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Elvis Presley.
The music of Lucky Dube will live on and the world will remember him just like he sang 'Remember Me'.

Rest in peace, great son of Africa.

Another Door Opens....

2007-10-14T14:21:00.000+02:00

Life is full of surprises. A year ago I never imagined I could be back in Sweden, as I toiled and endured verbal abuses from some superiors at Malawi Broadcasting Corporation. It was a depressing time. Then Rhodes University in South Africa offered a ray of hope, but as events have turned out, that opening hasnot materialised as hoped, and I find myself at Göteborg University studying Human Rights! What a twist!

Never under-rate the power of God to bring surprises. Compared to my Örebro other Swedish university, Göteborg is much bigger and well established.
But Örebro and its neary town is special to me. It is beautiful, warm and friendly. Göteborg is a big, busy and indifferent city! Still, I like learning new things and human rights is opening my eyes to stuff I never knew.

The Swedish teachers and people as usual are being nice, despite their reserved veneer. Despite the tough and rough times in the run-up to my return to Sweden, new doors are still opening, and I feel I have made a sharp turn for better days. God is faithful, and He is good all the time.

THE LEGENDARY MATRIARCH @ 80

2007-10-04T12:09:00.000+02:00

My maternal grandmother, Mrs Edna Chirombo, nee Kupilingu is 80 today. What a woman and what a mother!!
She has kept the family together with her wisdom and liberal views on life and living. I remember the woman we fondly call, 'Amama' or by the cheeky nickname 'Mtswita', bathing us as mom was away at work. She would also cook meals, dispatch us to school and brew the popular local soft drink, 'Thobwa' which is made from millett, sugar flour.

I appreciate you granny, especially for sticking with your children, grand children and great-grandchildren through the sweet and tough times. She had nine children, now only three remain. Quite a misfortune, but Amama remains cheerful and philosophical about her loss. The matriarch likes to quip, 'I have fought a good fight..'
Happy Birthday to you Amama, alias Mtswita!!

DEATH OF MALAWI SOCCER

2007-09-09T14:28:00.000+02:00

I received the news about the impending withdrawal of sponsorship of Silver Strikers with great concern. The Reserve Bank of Malawi is reported to be saying it is now too costly to run the team. Wow!!
Soccer in Malawi is on its death-bed! Silver Strikers facing extinction? Unthinkable ....but there it is! MDC United, MITCO, Railways United, MHC, B&C Dynamos, Whitex are among some of the good teams that are now history. Big Bullets are on their knees, Michiru Castles are surviving on handouts, Tigers are just as wobbly...MTL Wanderers are not that safe either.What will be left? police and army teams that do not have that requisite quality to make it big.Yet we talk about qualifying for the 2010 World Cup!! What a joke!
In the 1970s and 1980s, Malawi were doing well on the continent and even beat great teams such as Egypt, Cameroon, Zambia, Morocco and Senegal. Today Malawi can hardly compete against fellow minnows such as Namibia or Lesotho.

The decline in sponsorship is linked to the economic malaise that was prominent during the reign of Bakili Muluzi. It has been well documented that over 30 companies shut down during this time directly or indirectly due to the bad policies of Muluzi. And so went into oblivion teh likes of MDC United, who produced stars like the late Frank Sinalo and Holman Malunga. It is said each time Malawi played Zambia, and Zambian fans saw Sinalo on the line-up, they were full of fear! Sinalo was lethal with his head and scored many crucial goals against our neghbours!!

The present government, I feel, is for economic prudence mainly and does not really care about sports. I take the example of how the issue of Admarc Tigers was handled as a case in point. Now it is the Reserve Bank! And then how many times has the national team struggled to find money for its engagements??
We can as well forget 2010 World Cup and may be focus on indigenous games such as 'bawo'.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

2007-07-30T14:30:00.001+02:00

It is my birthday today! I thank God for Him...the Lord is my everything! Without Him, I would be nothing...no ministry, no music, no media, no ICT skills, no friends and no education. I praise and worship God for the opportunities I have had. I was boasting to my old friend Bruce Zamaere the other day that the Lord plastered me with all sorts of skills from football to volleyball, to squash to writing, to music etc etc! I thank Him for all that.

I had a great lunch with my friend, Michaella, today and it was a great treat: milkshake, chips and sausage+salad at the fancy Megabite Restaurant at Chichiri Shopping Mall.
I have received fantastic gifts from my family too. Birthdays have traditionally been memorable occasions in my family.

Psalm 1 For Bingu

2007-07-18T09:05:00.000+02:00

Churches across Malawi on Sunday, 15 July 2007 held prayers for the nation in the light of the political impasse between government and the opposition. This was at the request of the head of state, Dr Bingu wa Mutharika.

My church Word Alive took a rather different approach and prayed for His Excellency, his life and the advisors he has. It was observed that the counsel the President will receive at this time will be crucial for the future of Malawi.

Therefore Dr Mutharika needs Godly advice because ultimately all that the president does will prosper and the wicked will be blown away like chaff just like Psalm 1 prophesies. May God speak to President Mutharika at this important time and may the Lord bring close to him only the people that will give him Godly advice and not wicked counsel. May the Malawi leader meditate on God's word day and night.

It is well with Malawi and the President. God is working out something and a great shaking will take place and a great repositioning and replacement will occur for the good of the Dr Mutharika and Malawi. Amen!
¹ Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

⁴ Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.

⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

⁶ For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Source: New International Version Bible

WORD ALIVE CHURCH @ 20

2007-07-13T13:33:00.000+02:00

My Church, Word Alive Ministries International turned 20 on Sunday, 8 July. The growth has been notable especially in the past four years or so since the days of Blantyre Christian Centre--the first name of the establishment. People used to think, BCC was a mere 'fellowship' and not a proper church, maybe because of the name.
The first time I went to the church was in 1987 with some American friends. Seven years passed and in 1994 a friend asked me to accompany him to BCC to watch some girls!! The girl-watching escapade was a turning point for me. I was so gripped with their lively worship and sharing of the Word. As a result I started alternating between my church and BCC, meaning one Sunday I was in my church, the next I was at BCC. My mother intervened and I asked me to make a choice. And BCC which was renamed Word Alive in 2003 was my decision. I became member in 1998 and joined the Praise and Worship team in 1999. My late father was a great guitarist, but it was close to his death that I bought a guitar and sadly he never coached me. I remember asking the then head of music team, Pastor Zacc Kawalala, to join the music team. I told him I would like to play the guitar someday. He said: "talent grows in places of worship such as church"
So I started from scratch and at one point almost gave up because my fingers are short and I was struggling to play chords. I played my first song in church in April 2000, a simple reggae piece!!
Today I thank God because through Word Alive my talent has been natured and I have experienced playing alongside great artists such as Benjamin Dube, Kekeletso and on the local scene the likes of Isaac Mkukupa, Rudo Mkukupa-Chakwera, Amos and Lameck Soko, Jack Kamwendo and Felix Jere.

The 20th anniversary bash itself was good. It brought together Word Alive branches located in Blantyre, Zomba and Lilongwe. Tourism Minister Honourable Callista Chimombo, who represented President Mutharika was a good envoy and certainly the right choice. She urged Word Alive not to sit on its laurels just like Apostle Paul saw himself as not reached the ultimate goal in his undertakings. She drew a loud cheer.
Apostle Madalitso Mbewe of Calvary Family Church said time has come for Word Alive to shine and make an impact.
Exciting times are to come I can see.

THE MORE I LEARN...

2007-06-20T11:39:00.000+02:00

It is amazing how true Malawi's former leader Kamuzu Banda said when he proclaimed that "learning never stops'. The more I learn about God, life, people, music the more I realise I have a long way to go..... and the more I see my ignorance!
I was talking about music and musicians with this good friend of mine who likes to be anonymous on my blog. She questioned the originality of some of Malawi's gospel artists. My take was it is hard to be original in the early stages of one's career...but as you grow, an identity is established.
When I was learning creative writing, I emulated mainly greats like Catherine Cookson and PG Wodehouse. As I continue learning the guitar, my main inspiration has been my uncle Don Mlenga, a jazz guitarist. But the sounds I produce are from what I pick up from Eric Paliani one of my mentors now in South Africa, and international artists such as Earl Klugh, Paul Jackson Junior, George Benson, Jonathan Butler and Lee Ritenour.

Each song I play never misses some sound I heard from this eminent guitarists, but as I grow in music I believe I will be able to have my own trademark sounds.

Man is an interesting creature, that pretends to the extreme. The heart of man...so deceitful! The scripture is Psalm 121..that 'My help comes from the Lord'...has never been so true to me. When you ask man to do something they will disappoint you, or they will backbite and gossip...in short they will disappoint you. But when you ask God, there is no disappointment, and it's all neat!!

Sanjika Praise and Worship

2007-06-08T11:15:00.000+02:00

Yesterday, pentecostal churches went to Sanjika Palace in Blantyre to pay their last respects to the late First Lady Madame Ethel Mutharika. From two to four pm, the funeral hall at Sanjika Palace was filled with singing and clapping hands that characterise praise and worship in pentecostal churches. Praise and Worship was what the visit turned out to be. Almost all the pentecostal church leaders in Blantyre were there. Apostles Stanley Ndovie, Madalitso Mbewe, Felix Zalimba and Timothy Khoviwa came, and so did Bishop Geoffrey Matoga, Pastor Augustine Mgala, Pastor Zacc Kawalala, Bishop Mark Kambalazaza.
Apostle Mbewe was director of ceremonies. Apostle Ndovie read from 2 Corinthians 5: 1-10. George Mkandawire sang a great lamentation which was a medley with his current hit "Ulendo". Then it was singing and singing for the next hour and half.
The mood in the funeral hall changed to one of celebration as the songs rang out. At some point people stood, hands raised in worship, and the bereaved family too could be seen clapping and singing. God was in there!
Sam Maliza, that's the name the Malawi gospel music sector should watch out for. The lad can sing and he sang yesterday. When he took over the microphone to lead the session, the atmosphere changed..the spirit of heaviness departed and there was vibrancy and an uplift in the room.
I enjoyed the praise and worship..it was special to me, for Mrs Mutharika was not ordinary person to me..she was dignified and kind...and special!!
It was a good time and one of the military officials in charge in the funeral hall bore testimony saying: "We thank God for the wonderful time. Those that are of opposing view have a problem"
We left at four pm and with huge queues still snaking to the palace for viewing of the late Ethel Mutharika.

HEALTH SYSTEMS, MAYI ETHEL...

2007-05-30T14:24:00.000+02:00

I have just been to Thyolo District Hospital today. I must say I was impressed with the service delivery and condition of the facilities at the establishment. The staff wore an air of confidence and positivity. There was also no overcrowding that characterises the referral Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre. How I wish all hospitals in Malawi were in that condition. It is bad to see many ordinary citizens struggling to access health facilities in the townships and at major institutions like Queens'. But then Thyolo District Hospital is quite knew and serves a smaller area. I hope the standards are maintained.
I can only imagine how President Bingu wa Mutharika is feeling at this hour, having lost his wife of over 40 years, Ethel. I feel for the man, for I have lost family members, relations and very close friends. At that hour the world seems upside down and it sometimes takes years for one to heal inside. Ethel Mutharika was a dignified lady, quiet and really fit the mould of First Lady. I pray that Bingu will face the loss with courage and not feel all is lost. Otherwise he may withdraw from normal life and Malawi will as a nation be affected gravely. God is on your side Bingu, carry on, and may the Lord Jehovah grant you peace.

ODE TO LUCY

2007-05-09T14:16:00.000+02:00

"Uncle Joe, please marry. I just want to see how your child will look like before I die" Those were the words of 16-year old Lucy Prisca Mtembezeka Phiri, just two months ago. I laughed it off as one of her doom and gloom statements she sometimes made. But in the early hours of Monday 7 May 2007, my friend and protege Lucy passed away. The girl had been down with diabetese at a local private hospital, (Chitawira Private Hospital) from 24th to 27th April. In the following week after being discharged Lucy seemed to be making a good recovery and was set to resume studies at Manja Community Day Secondary School where she was in Form 2. Actually she danced to one of her favourite songs.

But on the night of 5th May her condition took a down-turn. I found Lucy at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital on Sunday the 6th wearing an oxygen mask and in comatose state.
The following morning her aunt, Hellen Faith called to say the girl had died.
What a shock and how sad. My charge Lucy was laid to rest yesterday at her home Monkey Bay.

Lucy was an orphan and the weight seemed to be too much for her to bear many times. I was mentoring and teaching her that she could emerge a winner and be a leader in the future. That included encouraging, rebuking, checking school reports and meeting various needs. She was like a daughter, a close friend and some one who confided her experiences as a parentless child to me.

I feel the loss and I have been thinking about her. What she could have been, the potential in her, how well she performed in class, and remembering the funny things she said and did...her letters and phone calls. I will miss Lucy for a long time. She loved life and lived it to the maximum. Though only 16, Lucy was motherly and loving, so like many other female orphans.
But in all I say God be praised for affording me a chance to input something in the life of a girl-child who seemed lost many times.
On Thursday last week Lucy reminded me to focus on heavenly and Godly things.
Rest In Peace Lucy.

STRANGE DREAM...

2007-05-03T12:20:00.000+02:00

I dreamed that I was confronting the 'monster' that has been attacking women and children in one of Malawi's well-known townships, Ndirande in the city of Blantyre.

The beast/apparition/spiritual being has been terrorising people for the past year and two women have been killed and several other people have been left injured.

People say the culprit is a tall man with a mask who goes about in white underwear. The clergy says it is a spiritual being, while some herbalists say the police are in the know because they haven't allowed the traditional leaders to attack the 'ghost' with their charms!! Some local chiefs in Ndirande were last month arrested allegedly for being behind the monster. And there have been many other interesting claims over 'ownership' of this supernatural entity.

In the dream I saw the man behind the 'beast' and when he saw he was exposed he said he would kill me. I screamed and began to pray. JESUS!!! I shouted that at him and the man retreated and fled. It reminded me of Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings Chapter 18 in the Holy Bible. ""The Lord-He is God"
To those behind the terror in Ndirande, as I say to you JESUS!!

RETURN TO EGYPT? NO!!

2007-04-19T11:30:00.000+02:00

There shouldn't really be a debate over whether former Malawi president Bakili Muluzi should contest in the 2009 polls. It is like asking the children of Israel to go back to Pharaoh's atrocities in Egypt as recounted in the Bible. I feel Muluzi failed to leave any impressive legacy and he should have been wise enough to retire. As I see it and as many have pointed out, he cannot compare with the present government in terms of administration. Even during his rallies, one can see that Muluzi really has nothing new to offer apart from trying to put down the achievements of the current government. But if he is stubborn, let Muluzi come to the polls where I foresee disaster and embarrassment for him.
On another note God has proved himself faithful yet again. I was worried about 1 May onwards, since I left the comfort zone of MBC. I got a phone call from the US this week and it was an answer of how I will make ends meet until I leave for South Africa later this year. THIS GOD, JEHOVAH! His is faithful.

A PLUNGE..?

2007-04-02T08:34:00.000+02:00

It's like taking a plunge into an unknown abyss when one resigns from a job that they have been at for nine years. Talk about leaving a comfort zone.
I quit MBC three weeks ago and it was a stressing moment. My superiors said I should change my mind because the broadcaster has big plans for me. Considering how I have been pushed around for the past six months or so, I fail to see what these plans are because I felt my input was no longer appreciated, and I had to jump or be pushed overboard.

I'm thankful however that I sharpened my writing skills while at MBC and that I had so many opportunities to travel to Asia, Europe and Africa while under the employment of the Corporation. As they say in the vernacular: "Munthu sayipa yense" meaning every person has their good and bad sides.

My advice to MBC? Please, stop the brain drain and recognise the strengths of your staff and capitalise on that. If you are in management, don't go on and on about the weaknesses of personnel and the bad job they are doing. It demotivates people.

For the future that lies ahead, God is my strength and direction. I'm reminded of Psalm 121....My help cometh from the Lord". I trust you Lord that the hurdles that seem to be there will disappear and I will arrive at my next destination with your wonderful provision which is always there for every vision.

ITS COMING DOWN....

2007-02-13T13:29:00.000+01:00

"Its coming down, down, down..its coming down, the glory of the Lord is coming down" That's the song I have been singing much of late. I see the Lord's glory at the moment. After years of toiling and sweating the favour of the Lord is upon me. I praise God for His grace as I travelled last week...SA, Lusaka...my my my...!!!! I thank God for the success too. All at once its happening.

I returned to MBC yesterday after three months of holidaying. I thank God He has helped me achieve what I wanted to happen at the end of my leave. Things havent changed much in my department..same old complaints of laxity, unsupportive superiors etc etc etc. I spent the day wondering where I was to be deployed and only knew today Im heading to the newsroom, where I started my career, nine years ago. Thank you Jesus. They will soon know what they have pushed me into over the past year.

NEW YEAR AND CHANGES

2007-01-03T10:34:00.000+01:00

Thanks be to God for allowing us to enter this new year 2007. It is by grace that we are around. Happy New Year. On 21st December 2006, I was telling Angel Chima, my colleague in the music ministry, that I see 2007 as a year of great changes. A day later on 22nd December, I got an email that I believe is the beginning of manifestation of the transformation. God Be Praised…amidst negatives or positives, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

The journey has started and may the Lord grant me grace to see ahead, embrace the change and fill me with divine wisdom, so that as I talk and write the impact and influence will make people stand on their heads with wonder.

Otherwise Christmas was quite unique and somehow low-key both at church and the traditional family bash. It was Jairus my cousin based in Zambia and myself who visited the folks. New Year’s eve was busy with two services at church. I was drained by the time I left church at 1am on 1st January 2007 I was drained. I was happy though because my confidence returned, and I realised I had nothing and no one to fear.

Ohh! I woke up last weekend, determined to write an article on mentorship and succession plans. Then I started editing some photos and some other stuff and failed to get inspiration in the end. I will still write that article. Young men and women lack solid guidance these days and in the end make wrong decisions and mess up. There are problems of succession in organisations due to petty jealousy and lack of confidence among ageing superiors.

PUSH ON...!!

2006-12-02T14:44:00.000+01:00

I heard on Television Malawi from Matthew Ashimolowo, a televangelist this week that people sometimes push you towards your breakthrough, while they think they are harassing and making you 'feel the heat'.
I have had some pushing and shoving by some characters at my work place recently. I thank YOU, especially YOU. Keep on pushing and grinding me in the dirt. I will be rewarded very soon, sooner than you imagine!

Motivation, inspiration, mentorship are some keys issues I feel are lacking at many work places including MBC. Mostly all that is being seen is tearing each down, tyranny, and poor listening skills. Why don't we listen to each other and treat each other with respect??
God helps us all.
Im enjoying playing the new electric guitar at church....hey it's a great machine!

One day, I will make someone eat his words...the music will do the talking.

STRESSADE INTE....

2006-11-03T14:39:00.000+01:00

Quite a busy and stressful week here. The oppressive heat, mosquitoes and the financial hiccups my work place is going through are making things worse. I look forward to my holiday in a week's time.

Someone in my office was supposed to travel to Djibouti this month. But another colleague has sneaked behind everyone to have his name put on the travelling party instead of the original workmate.
TYPICAL MALAWIAN BEHAVIOUR...and I make no apologies for that. People hate to see others have opportunities to advance. Unimaginable selfishness. Yet this sneaky fellow has travelled so many times outside Malawi, while the victim has never. May God visit this greedy fellow and speak to him in no uncertain terms.

I used to tell my Swedish-Polish friend Margarita Mildsommar "stressade inte" roughly meaning "don't be stressed". It's funny that those that encourage others usually buckle under situations themselves!!!

But Im reminded to count my blessings and not my disappointments.

I bought a weghing scale and I was shocked with my weight. I thought people were exaggerating when they remarked about my weight gain. Anyway, it is not so much, just 4 kilogrames above my ideal weight.

The Face of Jesus

2006-10-19T14:18:00.000+02:00

Some friends just seem like Jesus. They turn up when you just need someone to comfort you. I have been in turmoil over the past few days due to events at the work especially my superior. Among other things he doesnt quite seem to like me carry around my iBook G4, and suggests that I don't measure up to the expectations! I wonder why and how I rose to the position I occupy now.
My long-time friend Michaella came today to see me. She just gave me a great hug after learning about the story. She wore the face of Jesus.
Hey! God is good. What more when you meet with the comfort of God??
But a person grows up by meeting and overcoming challenges. I pray for challenges to come my way so that I grow up...God grant me the overcoming annointing.

Mothers' Day

2006-10-10T10:21:00.000+02:00

Malawians were marking Mothers' Day yesterday, to appreciate the role mothers play in bringing up children and nurturing the family in general. I was at my home..I mean where my roots are in Chilomoni, a small township in Blantyre. My granny danced a few steps to express happiness that I was there...I havent visited the place for three months! It was good to chat and see Mom and the rest of the folks, and of course give them gifts. Surprise surprise, Mom had gifts too for us children, saying she doesn't take her children and their presence for granted. That was awesome!
Many have commented that mothers seem more important than fathers, and when a child loses a mother, it is like the child is an orphan.
The semester is drawing to a close at Polytechnic. I have finished teaching the fisrt and second year students, english literature. It has been fun. I will miss the students.

HEAT, WATER ET AL.

2006-10-05T11:03:00.000+02:00

The summer heat is hitting us hard in Malawi. Some areas are recording 42 degrees celsius already. By three oćlock one feels like knocking off, and going to sleep. Feels like beingbaked alive, sweat triclikng down the whole body and making you look like you didnt wash.
The situation is a bit tricky with the current water woes in the city of Blantyre. In my township we have had to go three straight days without the vital resource. This week, the waterflow has improved alot and we hope for better days.
One wonders whatś up with the utilities..in rainy season they claim that trash is blocking the pipes or dams, in dry season they attribute power and water cuts to drying up of reservoirs. Then they engage in shifting blame! The water company says power cuts lead to interruption of water supply, and in turn the electricity establishment blame its reduction in power supply to inadequate water at hydro-electric plants! For how long I wonder.
Then my work place is really reeling from financial problems. It is stressing to work with a prepaid telephone line for interviews and internet, considering the nature of our work. How can you limit telecoomunications facilities in a national broadcaster???