grandpen - News

SUICIDE! A CLICHÉ FOR LOVE ISSUES

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 14:38:00 +0000

In the picture: Dr Chiwoza Bandawe- Clinical Psychologist

An investigative report by Wezzie Nyirongo

“I love Thula but she loved others more, goodbye, live your life and enjoy it to the fullest,” reads part of a suicide note of one of Malawian Pastors who opted to stanch his own life. The Pastor who held in the City of Mzuzu committed suicide after the girlfriend he was dating started going out with other men. Police in Mzuzu confirmed that Reverend William Mumba died after committing suicide. According to a crime situation report that indicated the results of postmortem conducted at Mzuzu Central hospital showed that his death was due to suffocation secondary to strangulation. “A suicide note that we have seen indicates that the pastor had a girlfriend by the name Thula, who was allegedly going out with other men" reported the Police.

Namwini Daniel reported a Standard 7 girl who committed suicide after love reprimand. Various narrations' target was on how a Standard 7 girl at Kawale Primary School committed suicide by throwing herself in Lilongwe River after being warned over multiple sexual relationships. Lilongwe police spokesperson, Foster Benjamin confirmed to Malawi News Agency (Mana) on the following day that the deceased was 14-year-old (Name withheld) hailed from Kabudula village, Traditional Authority Katunga in Chikwawa.

"Ethel was staying with her parents in Likuni allegedly going around with several boys. This prompted her parents to reprimand her, a thing which annoyed her. Two weeks ago, the girl reportedly went to her uncle and threatened that she would kill herself in protest to her parents advice. Hence, she was found drowned in the mentioned river, Benjamin said.

Stories like the ones above are examples of the reason suicide rates have highly pitched in Malawi over the years. Malawi lacks substantial prevalence data on suicide. Besides, continually high suicide rates have been reported over the past three years. In 2017, a study by Mwale and Mafuta revealed that the prevalence of suicide in Malawi was at 0.009%, (9 out of 100,000 people commit suicide in Malawi). "Love kills and thrills" so they say, and this cliché can not be farther from reality as people take their own lives yearly for love. Chiwoza Bandawe, a clinical psychologist, said the connotation that men dont cry has left some men emotionally stressed, leading to the increase in suicide cases among them.

Speaking during a public lecture on mental health at the Catholic University in Chiradzulu, Bandawe said 85% of suicide cases in Malawi are males, citing financial and relationship challenges as the leading causes. Expressing and releasing emotions is one way of preventing depression and anxiety; hence, the need for men to speak out. Emotions need to be expressed, so it is important that men learn to express their feelings. said Bandawe.

Moses Muotcha, one of the clinical psychologists, working with Kamuzu College of Nursing, considers the rise in suicide cases as largely because of a lack of coping skills to deal with the social situations. Muotcha also said Malawi's shortage of mental health experts and institutions is a challenge for the country - one of the poorest in Africa. Malawi has only one public mental hospital, and the few mental health experts in other hospitals are overburdened. According to researchers believe the country also has 3,460 out-patient mental health facilities comparison to Malawi where communities largely depend on mental health nurses and clinical officers to deliver mental health services in government facilities, there remains a gap for efficient service-delivery. Several suggestions have been made on possible interventions required to reduce the suicide burden.

Chimwaza appealed to the government to work towards establishing centers within public health facilities that would provide therapy. Not everyone can have access to private facilities or therapists. The Social Welfare Department ought to come in and strengthen psychosocial support systems, he proposed.

DAVIE THE MEDICAL PRACTITIONER

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 05:24:00 +0000

“Tikaweluka timakagulisa paraffin, zitumbuwa, mizimbe and all that my mum could think of for survival. They could mostly chase me at school because of school fees issues"- Chikazinga Davie

With your neat rank and entry into a med school, your public image in your locality goes Sky High!!!
People start calling you ‘Hey Doctor’, ‘Hi Doctor’ every now and then which I must admit feels awesome.

The local aunties suddenly start showing you sheer respect. Those are the same aunties who used to
complain to your mother for your every little activity in school days.

Your relatives start treating you as a doctor from the very first day. They ask for your advice in every little thing like ‘why did I sneeze yesterday? Or what’s that mole on my face? Is it cancer?’

This all of a sudden becoming a role model in the eyes of people who never gave a heck to you definitely
feels nice.

Meet Davison Chikazinga Mkandawire, Malawi College of Health Sciences student (MCHS) from Chinomboshonga village, Ekwendeni-Mzimba, who come out to share his story.

Born from Gibson David Mkandawire and Agnes Tembo, the small scale farmers; Davie reveals that he almost gave up for school because he thought could not make it far due to financial dwindles.

Davie who learnt at St Augustine for primary education, and Luwinga secondary school for high school said his parents struggled to keep him and his sisters and brothers at school as they could not manage to raise the little development fund or six children.

“Tikaweluka timakagulisa paraffin, zitumbuwa, mizimbe and all that my mum could think of for survival. They could mostly chase me at school because of school fees issues,” Davie explained.

Davie who gave up for school due to financial crisis, said three years later he was enrolled at teachers training centre (TTC) and after finishing at TTC he repeated form 4. He only learnt one term until well-wishers took him after seeing how he performed on Malawi school certificate of education.

“It took me eight years after I wrote form 4 to get enrolled at college of health sciences,” Davison Chikazinga revealed. Davie also disclosed that his mother works hard. She has been selling zitumbuwa, mandasi, tomato. That's what she is currently doing:

“Amagulisaso mang'ina. Timawathandza kugulisa mostly mu mowa. It has never been easy. Anthu ankatiseka. Of course timakhala mu town koma nyumba yakwathu ilibe magetsi. The only house pa line yopanda.”

Whilst at college, Davie faced so many challenges. The person supporting him with fees stopped because he had his own challenges too. This forced him to start thinking outside the box.

“I started selling photography equipments as an agent, became a campus photographer and an agent for both TNM Mpamba and Airtel Money,” he said.

Davie stressed that being a medical practitioner has been his dream. He has always wanted to save and serve lives. Being a clinician means a dream come true for him.

Currently, Davie is looking for job opportunities to support his parents and pay school feels for his young brothers. He can be reached through 0991404134 or through the following email address: davchikazinga@gmail.com.

Edith Gondwe, why they need a favour?

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 08:02:00 +0000

By Esteemed Ziliro Mchulu

Candid talk a column in Sunday Nation titled “Can you do me a favour” authored by the columnist Edith Gondwe is popular this week, why? Because it has tackled a sensitive and critical topic. Edith Gongwe has taken a big step in her writings and those of us who follow her can appreciate that she has gone beyond creative writing, she is now more critical. “Can you do me a favour?” article has won the hearts of many men because they are the ones favouring the Gojasi’s. However, some women are happy too especially those making their own money while the beggars are out shouting, protesting and calling Edith sorts of names including some body-shaming stunts on Twitter. That tells you kuti Kabaya kanthu kaja.

The issue in the Edith-gate needs no debate, what this article wants is to do a bit of reflection on the causes of these requests. Why do they need a favour? A favour is sought from someone deemed capable of offering it. In this case, women or girls labelled “Gojasi” ask for a favour from men and mostly money. The other favours like sexual marathons are received without protest and we know why.

Why does she ask for a money favour? Many men in trouble of “favour” relationships are these types of men who run relationships or friendships on principles of transactions. These are men who fail to first build mutual relationships with these Gojasi’s and they use their money to do the talking. They meet a gojasi and all they say is my money my car my house. Every issue to them is solved by money and when the gojasi realises that I am in love with an ATM she starts thinking of ways of getting the cash. You cannot just ask for money from someone, you need a good reason and a favour sounds good.

A girl cannot just start hitting you with a favour request, if you started with money be sure to sustain the relationship with it. Actually, some men only complain when they have no money but when they have the money, they spend it on these favours because to them that’s a sign of power in a relationship. In this case, some men are victims of their quest to be masculine.

The other thing is that some of these men are in love with home based commercial sex workers who see money in anything. To them, a take-home package is what matters most. If you do not transact or if they don’t take their share then they cannot be yours. In fear of losing her space between the legs, we do her the favours. Let's not shout ee Edith watithandiza EEEE Edith ubwele ku SMAM, eee Edith ubwele ku Mens conference, enanu you are suffering from your quest of being masculine and ‘realman’ to gojasi. Some of you are going out with small pikin nah, what do you expect from her? She is doing you a favour of making you enjoy from the fresh generation, she does not need your old stories at a bonfire, she needs the favours, the money.

*Otherwise, we have seen men taming girls to normal beings who do not trouble them with the begging game. Men who have told the gojasi in the mouth that I can do this and not this. If you are afraid of telling her what you can and cannot do with your money, don’t complain in public. You run a relationship with a full brain and gojasi siapisa mmatumba, if you set a precedence of being Jesus, be ready to sustain her to heaven. Otherwise, Edith has said it better. We need the favours. Munatiyamba.*

Feedback: esteemedzili@gmail.com

0996923940

Today Is My Birthday Tomorrow Is My Born Day: I am still receiving gifts

Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:13:00 +0000

Author Joseph Loga writes:

In 45 B.C., Julius Caesar ordered a calendar consisting of twelve months based on a solar year. This calendar employed a cycle of three years of 365 days, followed by a year of 366 days (leap year). When first implemented, the "Julian Calendar" also moved the beginning of the year from March 1 to January 1. However, following the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century, the new year was gradually realigned to coincide with Christian festivals until by the seventh century, Christmas Day marked the beginning of the new year in many countries.

Many people in 21th century have an habit of just following things... without putting their brain (a critical assessment) because such things have been there for a long time. For example, when we talk of "birthday" celebration. Some people still think birthday is a born day, but that is wrong.

Just as Julius Caesar was able to make a calendar, you can also do the same for your birthday. Mind you; you can't choose a born day but you can choose a day for your birthday.

According to my personal calendar, my birthday is 25 September and my Born Day is September 26. This serves as a notice that I celebrate my birthday on 25 September, and my Born Day on 26th. According to my personal calendar, on my Birthday I reflect on my life and personal goals but on my Born Day, I give thanks to God foror the gift of life; family and friends.

Today people from all over the world, when they saw on my status (state-us) update of wishing myself a happy birthday, they wrongly accommodated themselves into my personal calendar. However, I am being thankful for the best wishes, nice messages and gifts. My Born Day is tommorow; I will still accept gifts and a that!

To my surprise, unlike previous years, this year there no even one person from my family citing I am misleading people (my birthday is 26th September thus according to my birth certificate) instead, they all joined the masses... throwing nice messages and gifts to me. Thank you but I didn't need that today.

It is really important we all have to know and understand these terms "Birthday" "Born Day" before we make merry!

In a nutshell, people have one born day and more birthdays.

P.S: The e-launch for my fourth book (Always Stand Again) has been postponed until further notice. But you can get your ebook through: logajoseph0@gmail.com

Undilembe To Be Released Soon

Sun, 04 Jul 2021 09:29:00 +0000

The word ‘Undilembere’ is a Chichewa word with a stem ‘lemba’ which means “write”. Writing as defined by Steven Roger author of History of Writing (2001), is the visual representation of established selection markings. Writing is more than just putting words on a paper. It is an art, a means of expression, a vent of emotions and it is a means of communicating to a wide audience where verbal means cannot reach.

Historically, writing developed independently in three different regions of the world: Middle East, China and Meso-America. Through natural evolution of language, culture, script, and necessity, these early traditions became the foundation for the modern written word (Steven, 2001). Writing has allowed for development and maintenance of large and complex societies, the formalization of both academic and practical learning and ability to exchange information. It can be said that writing is perhaps, the foremost among many fundamental social and technological advancements that have shaped our world

Nowadays, it is undeniable fact that our generation is facing a lot challenges different from our forefathers’. This may be due to high levels of modernization, and other contributing factors. Language! The sense of the use of language in such a manner as to impress the hearers and influence them for or against a certain course of action is what bands music industry in Malawi. Music plays a more important role in our life than just being a source of entertainment.

In his song, a Kasungu based upcoming artist, Sharif Phiri also known as Shafie, unveils the significance of writing in his new song to be released soon, “Undilembere”.

By listening to this song, one will be able to know that written word is arguably the powerful and most influential tool that humanity ever created. It traverses time and space, thus by reading materials that were written in a distant past or far lands, even time before our existence, we get to connect with the writer's thoughts, ideas and experience.

In an interview, Sharif said the song is meant to give hope and encouragement to people who long for something or people who desire various things in this life.

“In life, just make sure that you have a goal that you are actually working towards, put it into writing. It helps you align your focus and promote a sense of self-mastery,” he said.

Shafie is a singer who uses his skill set and talent to reach out to the society with a message of hope and love as well as peace. He started taking singing serious in 2017, and he was motivated by seeing artistic characters in the music industry and imagined if he could also fill the gap which was there.

“In as far as art is concerned, my favorite artist in Malawi is Purple C though he has been silent for a long time, and outside Malawi is James Arthur,” he said.

Some of the songs by Shafie include Mtendere, Tebulo ft Top tick, Duma, Because of you and Heal the world.

TOO LITTLE,TOO LATE: SEVEN IN JOKER

Sun, 20 Jun 2021 15:11:00 +0000

By Joseph Loga (Song review)

PEOPLE come into our lives and impact us in ways we never imagined…..love! Falling in love for the first time is unexplainable. It’s a specific adventure. It is exciting, exhilarating.

When you fall in love it’s a huge leap of faith. You do not know if it’s going to end happy or not. In short, you are taking a huge risk. But you do it anyway, hoping he/she won’t break your heart.

According to Malawi Music website, Seven-O-More is rapper/producer from Lilongwe whose real name is Lo’More A. Majuta. He has produced for quite some acts in the music industry like Saint, Binge, Ishmael Katawala, Platinum and Auto Prince to mention but a few. He is the C.E.O of a local record ‘Urban Link Musical Village’. As an artist and producer, he has created his own style/genre he calls ‘BocBac’ which is a blend of local instruments and incorporating an urban music flavor. He sees himself as distinctive as he believes that the world development revolves around art.

In his song titled Joker, Seven puts it bluntly that heartbreak feels like someone has taken something out of you when they walked out of your life. For example, in the first verse the song starts “Sidzingatheke kutitibwereranenso” (too little, too late). The persona in this verse feels like destruction. All the pain. The tears. It’s intense. Immeasurable, excruciating pain.

Nowadays, almost every day, we hear suicidal cases of heartbreaks. And it happens! They walk away one day leaving you devastated. Without any explanation or an apology like they don’t even know you. They treat you like a stranger and it cuts you through. You criticize yourself for allowing the person to break your heart. Putting yourself down, blaming yourself for all the situations that probably aren’t even your responsibility. We replay in our minds all the good memories, the heart break suffering and sadness over and over again. You CRY, And CRY! Grief is tiring and it scars your soul. It shakes you to the core and make you feel the whole spectrum of emotions. And you will feel like you will never ever fall in love again.

However, what is interesting about this song is “Ndinatola JOKER”. Sometimes many people fall in love for pleasure without even considering or thinking if they are in love with the right person. In short, we play with our feelings and emotions for example if someone buys a burger, gives us money and takes us out we tend to think that is the right person to fall in love with. But in reality, that is not love thus why it always ends in tears!

Nevertheless this song tells you that you have one life. And you have so much love to give to the world. The growth teaches you—you are worthy. You are stronger than ever.

LOGA LOGARE LOGOS

Sat, 05 Jun 2021 16:57:00 +0000

Loga is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of GrandPen International (GrandPen Africa and GrandPen Publications).

He is the Country Director of Writers' Global Movement (WGM) Malawi Chapter; he works under the Center For Global Writers (CGW), an international organisation whose headquarters is in Nigeria.

Loga is a former Deputy Head of Department of Communications-Common Path (COPA), YouthLead NGO based in Mangochi District of Malawi, which promotes the well-being of the young people through social economic empowerment, mental health and education.

He is the Genius behind “Pass& Proceed" theory; a research in Malawian Institutions of Higher Learning (2018-2025). He is also the mastermind behind Vision 2025 for Young African Writers (2020-2025), which is being done in partnership with African Writers Development Trust (AWDT), International African Writers Association (IAWA), Writers Space Africa (WSA), Center For Global Writers (CGW), Afollit Education, ZenPens and Alpha-Scribes Writers Academy (AWA).

Loga once served as the Chief prefect of St. Paul the Apostle Minor Seminary Writers' Club (2016-2017), University of Livingstonia Writers' Forum President (2018-2019). He also served as the Managing Director of Dream Magazine (2018-19).

He is the author of four published novels:

'The Writer Who Loved A Church Girl', 'The Future Is Now: When All Schools Were Closed', 'Bureaucratic Nightmare' ( a series book project that aims at bringing out issues affecting students in Malawian colleges and universities) and 'Always Stand Again'.

He is also a ghost-writer (he writes books for other people in exchange for money). At times, he works for Malawian newspapers such as Times, Malawi News and Nation as a reporter, writer, a and a poet. He also works as Programs Manager of Trendy Magazine.

He was born on 25th September 1999 and his home district is Mangochi where he stays with his grandma.

Academically, he is a graduate in Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Livingstonia (2017-2021) and he also has a journalism background.

Random Qs To The CEO

Mon, 10 May 2021 11:19:00 +0000

If you could be given a chance to interview, Joseph Loga, CEO-GRANDPEN Publications(International online publishing company that promotes the culture of writing and reading among students across Africa), what can be your best 10 random questions?

ll Questions With their Answers shall be published on June 5, 2021. Send your questions as a word document (in email include your full name, passport size photo, and contact details) to: grandpenpublications@gmail.com.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE IN PIKSY'S NZANGA

Sun, 21 Mar 2021 04:49:00 +0000

By Esteemed Ziliro Mchulu

The coming of Covid 19 made us all communicate prevention of the virus including artists. However, many people are now aware of the virus and how it is spread hence a paradigm shift has been taken in music whereby musicians and other artists are now interested in giving hope to people that Covid 19 will be over. Piksy’s latest release “Nzanga” stands tall on the glimmers beaming hope to people that Covid 29 battle will be won and life will return to normal.

With the drop in new cases and deaths, the “Nthunzi” hit maker sings about dreams of brighter days in a nostalgic tone and hopeful mood. Piksy brings in flashback of the memories that were there before Covid 19, reminding us all the need to check on our friends.

“Nzanga uli bwanji? Zikuyenda bwanji? How is your family? Business ikuyenda bwanji poti dzikoli nde lavuta kwambili” (How are you my friend? How is your family and business in these hard times). The opening verse brings in the need for us all to check on friends and relatives as it has been our culture. While it has been normal for us to check on each other as we usually do, the song brings in the need as to why we need to do it now because the world has changed, it has a disease that is claiming lives every day.

The artist attempted to remind us all the need to give hope to our friends that things will be all right soon. “Koma pompano tikuma, Tiyese kuzisamala, Posachedwa kuwala mwina tingozisamala , Osaopa nzanga, poti kukondwa ndi mawa pompano kuwala..”, goes the chorus which centres on hope. The hope giving ministry in the song is a success because it has come at a proper time where things seem to be moving in a proper direction. For example, schools are now open a countless sign that the battle will soon be over.

The nostalgic feeling of the persona comes in the second verse where the artist reflects on some things of the past. The artist remembers the life of one popular DJ, Kenny Clips who succumbed to Covid 19 and other experiences worth the word. The shift in Covid message by the artist puts him at par with Oliver Mtukudzi who used music to bring awareness, dialogue and hope to his home country in Zimbabwe when HIV/AIDS was causing havoc.

The combination of right lyrics, rhythm and instruments which were done by Sispence have given the artist space and identify as a cape of good hope in the Covid 19 fight. The song stirs strong emotions and engages the listeners to think of friends and family and at the end makes one to take an action fighting the virus. The song ends with “please stay safe my friends”, making it a perfect partner for social change.

UNILIA Laws Writers' Forum

Sun, 21 Mar 2021 04:40:00 +0000

By Joseph Loga

UNILIA Laws Writers' Forum is a society based at Laws Campus, University of Livingstonia.

Some of the objectives of the Forum are to foster creativity through practical criticism that builds and to act as a bridge in spreading important messages and to build confidence for those who want to speak through spoken word.

As a way of exposing their talent and speaking out to more people, the forum has a YouTube channel where it posts some of its spoken-word clips. The channel is called UNILIA Laws Writers'Forum. Remember to subscribe to this channel!