“HAVE WE BECOME ANOTHER SWAZILAND”

Culture in African circles is thought to be a crucial part to ones up bringing as it entails a lot of things regarded good by elders within society. However when morals are thrown to dogs’ culture starts to stink sinking deep in a septic tank of ridicule.
Recently the Mlakho wa Alomwe cultural grouping organized their yearly cultural fest where this year a new product was showcased. Much as culture is versatile and that we need to accept our uniqueness, I was rather taken aback when amongst the parading dances and groups were these girls of the ages of 13 – 20yrs wriggling their erotic waists and shaking their fresh naked pointed breasts in different directions. however not concerned with the waist wriggling or the fluffy or pointed breast rather it’s the fact that these fests are attended by many people including children who may find these scenes a little uncomfortable. Imagine these girls were parading their naked top to everyone including the head of state who was present, maybe they were in a way advertising their products who knows what happened to some of those later that night. Watching such scenes from the public broadcaster MBCTV with the able and artistic hands and eyes of their cameramen one could evidently see some of these girls giving it there all in this October basking sunlight unknowingly of the fact that some camera man is doing what he gets paid for so that some of us critical minds can have something to look at. One fact that cannot be ruled out is that where there is a crowd a lot of things are bound to happen and am certain that some of these girls were re-payed of their sweat in the gone afternoon by some generous men.
Remember some months ago when demonstrations had reached their peak, other people were of the view that people get violent because they don’t know what to do after say handing over their sentiments to the DCs just like that case so is our issue here, a lot of people attended but they were not told what to do afterwards hence a lot happened through that night coupled with the naked breasted ladies that might have excited the lobido of some.
This flashing of breasts by young girls has been neglected for such a long time and mostly exploited by the Chewas, Ngonis, and now the lomwes have come in. This to some extent is an insult to these girls who are forced to show their inner beings in the name of culture.
But look at the age of these girls, what do you hold and think for their future?
Would you think such girls would have aspirations of making it big in life?
What sort of future queens are we preparing?
Maybe after crippling our economy, human rights to the Zim-Way, transforming our peaceful flag to match the transitional Libya one worse still to supplement the Kenyan one, defiantly gracing dic-tators we have thought that our culture needs upgrading too. Have we maybe become another Swaziland where such scenes are part of their rotten chauvinistic culture?
These girls have a voice even if it maybe husky but the bottom line remains that Malawi to quote some of the leaders is a God fearing nation and culturally endowed therefore these naked young girls showing people their fluffy stinking breasts should not be part of our upbringing if we want to have citizens (girls) that will meaningfully participate in the development of the nation in the coming years.
We can do better in promoting our culture than promoting and advertising fluffy pointed breasts.
Just another thought!

UMVE AT SANA SHOP

Being a month-end when public transport usually gets hectic and pockets are usually full, I thought hitting the road so that I trekked down town to do some window shopping and probably get one or two of these famous counterfeit NBA vests. With this unplanned climatically summer scorching most people opt to wear something a little lighter hence seeing a lot of vests, shorts, in this bus but something caught my mind. It was the passenger next to me that attracted my attention; this guy wearing some good shorts and a vest totally shut from the sounds of the bus with his blasting iPod music whilst face booking. Wow!, how technology has taken the better part of us, however it is probably not his music nor the appearance rather it’s the creamy disgusting white unshaven armpit…real jungle. However for this guy he finds keeping this jungle and yet wearing shot sleeved arm open clothes, I mean this is disgusting and it really demeans ones thought of thinking in terms of bodily cleanliness. Face this if the armpits have such a jungle what more….errrrrr….the real deal u know that which am referring to…the head of course.
This is just one of the very many unhygienic elements that are septic in most people, you find for example you go into an office of probably a senior officer and yet they are smelling like hell yet its 8:00am
Does it mean that they can’t afford to buy a deodorant?
Maybe they don’t think they are smelling that bad?
Else they don’t give a shit bout their body?
It was when something along this line hit my mind, unhygienic life threatening behavior at the SANA shop. It is unbelievable and disgusting to know that once this sugar pack bursts these guys at the close of business they gather this sugar thrown on the floor and re-package it.
Yes…akataiika sugar, amawolera mumajumbo ndikukapakilanso mu ma packet ena………………………
This is one of the very many unhygienic issues that the authorities let it be the Malawi Bureau of Standards or government need to come in handy to address the situation otherwise we are sitting on a time bomb of unhealthy products.
Sugar akataika, wataika sitiola more over pa floor poti amakolopa daily……disgusting.
Just another boiling thought!

A TRAFFIC ALI NGATI MASKINI

Peak ours are usually characterized with experiences which sometimes leave you in disbelief but also bursts of laughter, all in all travelling through the highways is a lot of fun. On this Wednesday morning I embarked on my morning destination, what caught my mind as I rolled through the highway was the strange unavailability and short queues, two things were certain , I was either too early or too late to trace the long snails of cars. I opted for a much shorter route to my destination which was usually not congested with traffic police officers. For sometimes they say fate is one thing which you cant run away from and true to the sentiments a green reflector from about 15m reflected my sight, I knew I had no choice but to soldier on though one thing hit my mind; my drivers license. Stories have been told of this ruthless female traffic officer who is stationed at the Area 18 Lingadzi police station coupled with her corrupt psych, but I did not want to be swayed with such cheap propaganda which can sometimes be over rated. “mwadzuka bwanji bwana, [morning Sir]” she greeted me “Bwino kaya inu madam,[good madam]”, I respectfully responded since I was to explain my story. She paced round my beautiful Polo making sure that the tires are in good condition, this reminded me of an experience at the Namitete Police roadblock where after inspecting the minibus we were in the officer on duty was not satisfied as he further probed the driver if parking lights, backlights were in operation a duty which is usually conducted by the Traffic directorate officers. Upon realizing that the officer just wanted a little penny, the driver got out and ‘talked to this fruitcake where I saw with my two naked eyes this officer pocketing or say being bribed with a k500 note, “mugulire ma unit’s bwana, [buy some airtime Sir]” said the driver. Eventually we continued with our journey talking and laughing at this altitude that is deep rooted in most of these officers. I was shaken and waken from my morning slumber when she reached for my window “tione nawo licence, [can I see your licence]” she requested, knowing of my fate and my loss of morning memory I just frankly responded to her “ndaiiwala madam ndimathamangila ku chipatala,[I forgot it home, for I was rushing to the hospital] ”. This was when I realized that I had stepped on the angels toes, she requested me to alight the car and hand over the keys…”takugwirani bwana (we have detained you sir), she retorted. I didn’t want fight or make a case out of this I just remained mum, as she awaited me to handover the car keys. I parked onto the other side awaiting my turn to fill the pinch of this traffic officer. As she approached the car I stepped out to engage in a conversation of which she seemed unconcerned with, upon requesting for the charge to my offence she bloated a k15, 500 figure of which I protested and asked if she could help “ndilibe ndalama yonseyo madam, [I don’t have that huge sum of money]” I complained to her “ndiye uli ndi zingati,[So ,how much do you have]” she queried, this was when I relized that it was not going to be as tough as I had thought. I went by the car side and offered her to get into the car so that we could discuss business…you know this sort of dealing is serious business that needs caution a thing she obliged. Whilst in the car I flashed a K500 note of which she refused and threatened “kapena tingopita ku station mukalipile konko, [maybe I should just refer your case to the station office where you can be charged]”, I apparently knew that this was an easy task then I added another K500 note, folded it my hands and gave it to her, though she received the money but she kept on insisting that it was little. I reached for my ignition and proceeded, with full knowledge that I had just lost or say donated a K1000 note which could suffice a few alcohol drinks later on that Wednesday night. This is just one of the many experiences that most drivers meet on our road where traffic officers a mostly likened to as street beggars because of there begging altitude. It is an insult for these officers to continuously beg like they are not working and yet they are on duty working for their hard earned money. A certain business man once narrated a story of one traffic officer at the Chikangawa boarder who after inspecting the bus never found anything and instead he plainly requested for some little penny from this driver, in turn the driver offered him a K50 note of which the officer received. For what good would such a note do a being like him because even kids these days don’t value this note as money to buy something worth while. All in all it must be noted that whilst the traffic police officers on the roads are doing a great job in making sure that regulations are followed on the roads but this begging circus has gone worse and apparently there is nothing their bosses can do since they share such proceeds in their working teams no wonder other people have sarcastically said that “a traffic ali ngati maskini, ndalama iliyonse amalandila olo itakhala K50…nyasiii, [traffic officers are just like street beggars who can never refuse any single penny not even as little as a k50….sic]” Common thoughts from my boiling cauldron of trash

OF BLACKMARKET PRESIDENT PHOTOS & FUEL VENDING

With blackouts, forex shortage, persistent problems, lies, l-ii-eeeesssss…… being the common order and a daily dose of course under the so called wise and dynamic leadership of errr…… yes thee man, coupled with the erratic supplies of fuel I reached for the famed Biwi black market with the hope of buying just maybe a 10l which would suffice for the remaining time left on the completion of my multi-million mansion project since it has become the common blue fantasy. As usual such dealings are often conducted with utmost care and conscious considering that you never know who you are dealing with but one thing that for sure cannot be detested is that fuel black market missions are no longer illegal with experiences and the travels I have embarked in search for this ripen virgin. I managed to source my 10l gallon and yet there was a stringent of cars in this garage turned economic rendezvous for the clever ones, most of these cars were bearing government registrations to personal socials number plates all in search for this commodity, so when I had heard earlier on in one of the radio networks that the Law enforcers had arrested a few nincompoops who were selling the commodity and had 40l or so in stock, I just laughed my skinny ass…and murmured a few sentiments little did I know that my murmuring was loud enough to attract some laughter from some close folks. It is laughable if police are to arrest fuel black market mafias because if they cannot arrest big kahunas sending boys to queue and buy gallons and gallons of fuel which is later being sold at twice the price and yet they too don’t have vending licences. Just yesterday I saw a government vehicle bearing a government registration buying a few 5ls of fuel with nothing to worry about and the scenes are just synonymous almost everywhere in Lilongwe. Within the M1 road you often times find men that usually seat by the road side or close to bus stages like they are awaiting for transport and yet the story is different, since they already did some good advertisement with drivers that often ply on these roads who in turn alert other drivers of such hot spots it becomes easy for their business and most of the law enforcers know of such places not to say of the places within our locations. It was then that we listened to the news that some 16yr old lad in Zomba has been arrested for possessing a photo bearing the face of the president however nicely dressed in a dreadlock just like rastaman in a chant Babylon mood and according to one PR officer the boy was arrested and will be soon be charged…..i don’t know the charge based on the offense if at all if falls within the constitution. In South Africa, a big photo of the then president Nelson Mandela was once designed and decorated with a dreadlock at the time he was in power, satirical cartoons have extensively published some works which are sometimes questioned even Obama himself during his first days in office had photos circulating with him portrayed in different hair cuts but all these NEVER arrested or detained any being this is why am surprised that its only in Malawi where such things happen, remember no president has ever ditched the party that sponsored him/her to power soon after the election, no public university has been closed for 9months the mediocre is just an endless litany but here in Malawi its happening. The Police must know that with the latest innovation in technology and design it’s very easy to design and redesign people whether arrogant or ignorant, rich or poor to fit their need. With these days of design programs amongst them Photoshop one can easily transform or maybe lets say distort a ‘normal ‘photo to a form of their liking…….its just creativity and application of the knowledge gained and learnt. I am however yet to know what charge has been laid on this boy. But one thing for sure is that these photos depicting the president or whatever individual are in full circulation and almost a lot many have seen many of such, for example Nyasatimes runs satirical columns which are sometimes escorted with photos of the so called top guys however after redesigned to suit a particular story and what would stop an inquisitive mind from not downloading the photo after perhaps having read the satire with the hope os sharing it to friends and maybe crack one or two jokes at how such individuals are portrayed in Photoshop era . This reminds me of some clip which buzzed most gadgets some months ago where another creative soul recorded and portrayed himself as the big man with so much humor addressing so many issues…it too was a good 8minute laughable clip which could warrant an arrest but has their been one…? Your guess is as good as mine, these are issues that sometimes leave a lot to be desired because of the double standard altitudes but also due to some overzealous enforcers with the hunger for promotion as we mostly forced to believe. All in all, it’s only in Malawi where illegal trends tend to slide legal with the taste of time and circumstances; however one sad issue still lies with our police which can sometimes be a nuisance and thorn in a budding fresh because of how they react to incidences. With this intimidation and silence slowly taking root we shouldn’t be surprised when one day under the wise and dynamic leadership the police will start searching through phones and laptops anywhere and at any point in time. Otherwise as I write I know Gaddafi is freely resting with his dead friends the likes of Savimbi, Osama, Kabila…..and so many that thought arrogance is the order of a perfect and successful ruling. Just another thought!

A DEVIL CALLED ICT REGULATORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (The spy machine)

Recently the Malawi technological boom has been cocooned in a web of an innovation that is supposed to improve the monitoring and improving quality but also regulate phone services as well as the internet services. This is one of those things worth commending considering that we are the first within the SADC region to have such a system….yes Malawi it is. It must be noted that this regulatory management once implemented wont spare anyone not even the president himself, I rather don’t subscribe to assertions made the other day by one official from Macra who in an interview with the local media claimed that the tool does not have any output port or connected device. For any working system its essential that there is input, some form of processing and then an output in whatever desired form and such systems usually have input and output points therefore it’s a none starter for this official to feed the nation with such crap. I for one am not against the introduction and implementation of such a system to our technological buzz neither do I detest that there are some rotten immoral motives behind this system. I just like many that keep expressing their minds do believe that this system will likely infringe on the privacy of subscribers connected to the different networks and systems as conversations (phone calls) and messages (e-mails, text messages) are likely to be eavesdropped. It must be noted that not all those trained and with the technical know how to operate this system are operate in good faith. Just as the regulatory body is vehemently working for the implementation of this system other people are also working on a list of who to and not to keep a close eye on……you know a taste of their own medicine. I foresee a lot of persecution, sedition all under the pretext of regulation. But this technology too has got its other side that if not careful can be detrimental, let me remind you of a few trends gone by. Do you remember that leaked clip some years back in which the current sitting president was in conversation with Gustav Kaliwo the then ACB chief telling him to shake them up… (who ever they were I don’t know)? Do you remember the leaked pornographic material implicating one Mr. Nkungula and the wife of one renowned lawyer? Just recently, the Prof. peter Mutharika one which apparently cost some journalist his job The list is just endless of some of the se leaked conversation that most people have which if can be leaked would seriously land one in Maula. No one not even the government can run away from the fact there is a lot of leaked conversations, messages and if this was apparent when there was no the so called CIRSM devil, what would happen if it gets implemented? But wait a minute….. Why is it that most of the unpopular things in Malawi are vehemently backed up? Why does government cling to issues that are not wanted and welcome by their very citizens? Just like the flag change, rabid policies in parliament (injunction, police bill), executive arrogance, this too (the regulatory system) will be pushed and pushed though its viewed to be a thorn in our technological flesh for many, remember the case of some famous news paper in the UK facing serious allegations for tapping through peoples conversations and later on publishing such…..could it be a similar case here in Malawi when we will one day wake reading peoples tapped conversations in some of these dubious newspapers flocking our streets? This CRSM is a mercenary that needs to be dealt with forthwith, nobody would fleely send mails, texts and make phone calls for fear of the so called monitoring and regulation, but these officials must know that there are one or two cunning and inquisitive boys who would want to know what their own boss right there at Macra are up to even these big fish within high ranking offices maybe even the president so long they subscribe to the local networks…..I cant wait for such leaks under the wise and dynamic leadership of the most high. Much as we are living in a global village where technology is the order of the day we must also be weary of some of the benefits and implications of introducing such systems but also looking at the timing. Just another boiling thought!

Arterial Malawi inauguration ‘timely’

The Arterial Network Malawi chapter becomes the 28th to be established across the continent. The event was held at the Public Affairs auditorium in Lilongwe attracting a cross-section of patronage from musicians, film makers, writers, dramatists, visual artists, designers and poets amongst the very many.
Flying under the theme ‘Advocacy for the Vibrant Development of our Creative Industries’ the launch tackled leadership in the creative sector, history of the Arterial Network and its objectives. An over view of the organization was delivered in a ten minute presentation by the Deputy Secretary General for the Arterial Network Secretariat, Carol Karemera.
According to Karemera, members of the network will largely benefit from this network through the advocacy element which is integral to creating conducive policies for the industry, cultural exchange programs, capacity building publications and workshop for varying disciplines of the arts but also recognition of being amongst the cream of African artistes.
Arterial Network compiles and distributes monthly newsletters in English and French sharing news relevant to Africa’s creative sector and is in the pipeline of establishing another publication in Portuguese, it has spawned arts journalists and festival networks, it has previously held 10-day “winter schools” training activists from member countries in building sustainable artists’ networks, all of which the local chapters are bound to benefit from.
During the launch, Serman Chavula, Zilanie Gondwe Nyundo, Thom Chibambo, Q. Malewezi, Sally Nyundo, Susan Banda, Joyce Mhango and Waliko Makhala were elected into the national steering committee to oversee the activities of the newly launched chapter for the coming period.
The launch was graced by the Deputy Director of Culture Bernard Kwilimbe, who in his keynote speech articulated on the status and progress of Malawi’s cultural policy which is yet to be adopted by the Malawi government. Other presenters during the launch were Ben Canavan the Public Affairs Officer for the American Embassy; Lizzie Chikoti a statistician from National Statistics Office who gave a report on the survey conducted regarding Malawi creative economy and Chris Magomero from UNESCO National Commission.
Arterial Network is a continental network of artists, cultural activists, arts NGOs, and others committed to developing African music, dance, theatre, literature and visual arts as a means to contribute to democracy, human rights and development in Africa.
The committee met in camera later in the day to select its leadership who are now led by Zilanie Gondwe Nyundo as chairperson, Thom Chibambo as vice chairperson, Serman Chavula is the treasurer and Susan Kamkosi Banda is secretary.
Chavula who is a previous director of the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) and is currently country representative for South and Eastern Africa Copyright Network (Seaconet) hailed the establishment of the national chapter as “timely and propitious for the arts and culture sector to have a voice to champion its concerns. Always we are told that unless you cry out loud, no one, not the leaders nor society will know that you exist or that you are willing to make positive contributions to society.”
The Arterial inauguration attracted a patronage of close to seventy and is heralded as a timely launch by creative community leaders and organizations.

“CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS NOT SELL OUTS”

In yet another sheer caricature of events, representatives from a pool of Civil society organizations (CSOs) and faith based organizations on Thursday organized a media briefing voicing out concerns regarding political, social-economic issues rocking the nation. This comes against the background of the petition delivered on the 20th July in which the CSOs allegedly petitioned the President on a number of issues with governance and human rights issues amongst them.
The CSOs expressed a litany of concerns that need to e addressed and also those culminating from 20th July mass demonstrations and their aftermath, imminent elements of executive arrogance such as the poor handling of Local government elections, passing of unpopular bills (Flag change, Pension, Injunctions, Police act) by the majority of DPP MPs that are just bent on appeasing their executive masters but also the stooping on delivery of public service.
Taking turns in the briefing, National Coordinator for the Catholic Commission for Justice & Peace (CCJP) Chris Chisoni, articulated on the need for dialogue, pointing out that violence and intimidation is not key in solving these issues citing incidents where Civil rights activists are given death threats but also singling out of activists as perpetrators of violence in political podiums. He further stressed that the CSOs advocating for good governance and human rights should not be thought of as splinter groups having personal vendettas against the government, rather a positive section of masses with the aim of safeguarding the long fought freedom and democracy which is under threat, arguing that dialogue is essential and that leaders must pursue justice by reasoning together in a sober manner.
Adding her voice to the briefing Martha Kwataine fro MEHN expressed worry with statements uttered by ‘some leaders’ as they are thought to be mere lip service ridicule, “one day they talk about dialogue, the next the tell us to go to hell”, she was quoted.
Most of the speakers also treaded on the just ended mass demonstrations and their aftermath, expressing worry with how the Police handled and conducted themselves during the demonstrations with regard to events culminating from the chaos and also their double standard who never reacted to the DPP youth militias that were brandishing machetes and pangas in the streets inducing fear amongst the citizenry on the eve of demonstrations and their swift reaction to the demonstrators on the day of demonstrations.

Commenting on the rationale of the briefing, Executive Director for the Civil Society Coalition for Quality Basic Education Benedicto Kondowe, appealed to government to resort to dialogue but also preach messages of hope and sincerity not teasing and ridiculing statements from political podiums that ignite anger amongst Malawians.
In conclusion, Chisoni expressed that the CSO leaders are not sell-outs and that more and more dialogue is key to sustainable development regarding the socio-economic and political stalemates.
Organizations represented at the briefing included MEHN, CCJP, Centre for Social Concern, CSCQBE and it was held at the Cresta Hotel.