SUICIDE! A CLICHÉ FOR LOVE ISSUES

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 parent’s 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 don’t 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

“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.

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Edith Gondwe, why they need a favour?

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

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

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

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

 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

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

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

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!

REVIEW: COMING 2 AMERICA (2021)

BY JOSEPH LOGA, MALAWI

There is a lot to be desired in Coming 2 America. This movie dramatizes many issues starting with culture. The movie paints a picture of African culture (s) this is evident in this movie through some elements of culture such as dancing, dressing and many more. Thus the way of life of the people of Zamunda.

IT IS TOO QUIET

BY TAMANDANI MWERA

This loud silence is unsettling

She cries and we do not hear her

We see her scars and we don't ask

She walks in silence but her body and mind makes all the noise

She represses her pain

She knows that if she talks then drums will be beaten once more

Or worse, the band will break up

But why is the band still together anyway..

How can love be seen in such fog?

Where is the love in violence?

Can crying in pain be equal to care?

Or maybe love is pain?

Maybe just maybe this is a new version of love

A heartless and moral-less upgrade on the original

One that will destroy the society

She might suffer in silence but the future sees

They watch and think that is the way to go

A woman lamenting and a man being the causative agent

Will there even be a future if the bearer diminishes?

Astonishing how your anger can cause such havoc

Would your mother approve of such behavior?

Or maybe what she didn't see didn't happen?

A fist is not mightier than the word

As you hit you scar the society slowly

You erase the happy memories and paint a dark future

Forever traumatizing many

So let us not be quiet

Let us shout and take a stand

Our noise will not hurt anyone but our silence will

OOPS! JJC IN “FAKA-FAKA”: A REVIEW OF JJC’S SONG

BY JOSEPH LOGA

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. While that being the case:

In Faka, a song by renowned Malawian artist who was born James Juma Chitsonga (Jay Jay Cee), to booklovers, this song is more like the following novels: Caged by Them: Descent Into Darkness by Kelli Callahan, Why Men Love Bitches by Sherry Argov, My Best Friend’s Husband by Londi Sutic, Rich But Always Broke by Chike David and others alike!

Every profession comes with a set of questions about how one should conduct them in a professional setting. Workers who only work to achieve wealth, fame, and status do not achieve success as a person. If one cares about the kind of person that they are, has good characteristics, abides by moral principles, works to achieve good and prevent harm, and promotes fairness, then being an ethical person is equally as important as being successful and music industry in Malawi is not an exception.

In Faka, the song starts with a persona acknowledging that he has received his salary and expounds-making plans on how he will spend it forgetting that he is on-duty at work:  “Mwauze abwana lero sindibwera, ntchito yandikwana, lero ndilomwera”. De-connotatively, one by listening to this verse will know that the only reason why people go for, and to work is because they want money.  Money has been placed as the heart of success in this song. However, the same verse brings scenes in “Stop Acting Rich and Start Living As a millionaire,” a book by Thomas Stanley; the same verse also ends with another topic, lustiness: “Tona gwedegwede ine mtima kugunda, mbina yako gwedegwede eti kulephera kutunda”. The whole song is just Faka-faka.

Generally, from the surface, the title of this song (Faka) and its cover picture raises a lot of moral questions to the artist, Jay Jay Cee. But listening to it deeply, this song is covering issues which are very crucial for you to survive in this world, things such as money management, relationship management and time management.  

MUSIC NIGHTS

BY ZWERE EVANS

On normal days, retiring at 10 pm was one of Oprah's joyous moments. Her body never let her get late on resting it on her extra normal days as she called them. She would joyously be tired and retire after her supper. In this neighborhood night and day were undistinguished. Oprah was used to the sounds of music from numerous alcohol joints that had surrounded them. The loud chattering of the drunkards and angry prostitutes made it feel like home. She would never survive without the feeling she had grown up in.

Oprah, a 19 years old girl born from Nyaganja, a popular prostitute who had gained recognition back in the days and had mothered six children from different men, amazingly called her first child Oprah. Nyaganja had thought of the name as a power she gave her daughter. "Always think like Oprah my child," she would tell her daughter, Oprah. Even though Oprah never knew the Oprah story, her mother could not tell her for she also didn't know.

“What was it about Oprah mama?” She would ask Nyaganja.

"I don't know my child I was only pregnant then and a certain seemingly educated young man had spent a night in this house. He looked at the pregnant me and swore he wasn't going to do anything with me. But I needed the money so I coaxed him to spend the night in my bosoms. As the sun rose, he told me I could not raise a child in chaos. I said 'oh yes, I will raise all my children here. He told me only a girl like Oprah could survive this place and I wanted you to survive my dear.”

These words would always play in Oprah's head when she retired to her bed on normal days.

A normal day meant no dance rehearsals for Oprah. She would not be tired to get to bed early so she would stay awake to check everyone's school progress. Being the only girl she took care of five brothers who were of smaller age while Nyaganja went to fend for her children. Oprah had dropped out of school in grade 11 and pursued her dreams of being a dancer. It had not been an easy choice as she was always being reminded of how she would walk in her mother's footsteps with her dreams. This had forced Nyaganja to stop Oprah from all her dance dreams. But a parent like her would never have full control of her children as she was never home.

It was merely past 10 pm and Oprah had thrown herself in bed. With eyes closed, she imagined herself almost breaking her bones on the huge stage with a cheering cloud. It went on quicker and quicker and almost like she could fly, her body barely on the ground and she flew but this time it was slow. Something slowed her, her pace peaceful, enjoyable, strange, and new. She opened her eyes. It was music. It had changed. It was new, strange, quiet, and peaceful. It was English. It was soothing. She liked it. It took control of her soul, her body, her mind. It brought rest to her. She slept.

In the youngest of the night it became violent, sad, terror, furious, it scared her peaceful soul and she woke up. The wooden clock on her wall indicated it was 2:59 am.

"It’s 2:44 am,” she said as she turned to the other side to continue her sleep. Her clock had always been 15 minutes behind and Oprah never had time to reset it. She fancied the time gifted to her by one Rasta who was known for his art of wood. He had asked her what she wanted as a farewell from him.

"A clock," she said. "I always want to be on time for my dance rehearsals." "Then your clock will be 15 minutes behind. That will ensure your punctuality," he told her.

On the extra normal days, she would forget that the clock was 15 minutes behind. Oprah would exhaust everything just to get at the rehearsals on time and she would be the first at the place. On normal days, she would always remind herself the clock was 15 minutes behind. It made her laugh.

"Fix my bed, Oprah, I want to sleep,” Nyaganja was back from her night wanderings. It was past 5 am and Oprah knew it was time to wake up and warm her Mother's water so that she baths after resting.

She and her mother had shared the same bed in their one-bedroom ramshackle house. The 5 boys stacked themselves on the other larger bed. Her mother would sleep only in the morning and she would later wake up, shower, and go to her daily duties only to return the next morning. The children were used to Nyaganja's movements as it fed their stomachs to a full.

"I brought breakfast for you and your siblings in the larger container that is in the blue plastic bag. All you have to do is heat it," Nyaganja told Oprah.

It was time to wake all the boys. One for the dishes left overnight, the other for the sweeping of the compound, the older one for the mopping of the house, and the youngest for the lighting of a fire. This had been their daily routine. Oprah mothered the 5 boys beyond Nyaganja's expectations. It made her boastful of her daughter. It was hard to raise all her kids among prostitutes and drunkards but she swore never to mother a prostitute or a drunkard. 

Doors from the other houses opened on yet another morning when Oprah would be reminded of a life she will live to witness every day. Men fixing their trousers as they headed back to where they resurrected. Some men leaving with only their underwear as they were unable to fully pay their dues, some would leave promising to be back when night falls and some arose from the dusty ground they had slept all night as a result of the drunkardness. Some would never leave without quarrels and dirty words. It would take the women dragging their trousers at a length so they pay their dues.

Oprah had always instructed the 5 brothers to close their ears so they never get to hear the dirty and ugly words from the mouths of angry mistresses. The boys had always been obedient but Oprah had a fear they would one day choose to listen to all she had kept them from listening.

"His pocket suddenly runs dry whenever it's time for him to pay up for all the work he put me through all night," spoke angrily Oprah's friend who had decided to become a sex worker when they both dropped out of school. Oprah and her friend had been best friends with dreams to finish school but their parent's paths made their reputation labeled as born prostitutes. Learning got hard when they got in grade 11 and everyone bullied them from being prostitutes. Even the teachers would make them examples of outrageous acts because of where they were resurrected. Since then, Oprah dedicated her time and energy to dancing while her friend Maria joined her mother's work.

"You should stop complaining to me if you are just going to let him come to you next time. This is the fifth time you complain of his hardware pocket and yet you countlessly let him come to you,” Oprah told her friend. 

"But there was a bad market yesterday. You know Sundays are dry because people have to go to their works on Mondays. I had no money on me so I had to accept his offer. ", she told Oprah.

"You are right Maria. Yesterday was dry. You can't imagine I spent the whole night with Ophiri for free," Maria's neighbor agreed with her. "Which Ophiri?" Oprah surprisingly asked. "The same Ophiri that plays music for Gogo Mvula's bar; he came in around 9 pm and I had no choice but to let him enter because I am not used to sleeping alone.”

"Then who was playing music last night? “ Oprah asked. "I seriously do not know but I am certain it wasn't Ophiri. Him and I worked the whole night and he left just an hour ago," the neighbor answered.

"Why are you asking about the music Oprah?" Maria asked. "Did you not listen to last night's music Maria? It was strange. Like never before. I thought Ophiri had upgraded from his ever noisy music but now I know it was not him playing the music.," she told her friend.

UNILIA STUDENTS SCOUT SANITATION

BY JOSEPH LOGA

In a rare display of unity, University of Livingstonia (Unilia), Laws Campus’ students embarked on a clean-up campaign around Khondowe community in Rumphi district on Saturday, November 28, 2020.

Photography: courtesy of health promoters

This group of students was composed of final-year students in Bachelor of Science in Public Health, members of Public Health Society (PHS), members of Environmental Management Students Organization (EMASO), other interested students and more significantly, it was also done in partnership with the community and other local stakeholders.

Speaking in an interview, Brandon Mwale, class representative of Public Health final-year students disclosed that Keep-Khondowe-clean initiative is part of their Health Promotion course and it was an academic assignment with some marks attached.

 “This is a practical experience of what we learn in Health Promotion in class,” said Brandon. For her part, Chikondi Kaleso, the chairperson of Public Health Society (PHS) said that this initiative is a backbone to their society which aims at promoting good health practices by preventing diseases and provision of rehabilitative health care services. 

The clean-up campaign started with general assembly at basketball court of University of Livingstonia-Laws Campus where all involved parties gathered around 8: 00 am. After the general assembly, they had a big walk to the Khondowe Trading Center (TC). People were singing all the way while carrying placards advocating for sanitation and hygiene-PH final-year students at the center of it all. 

When they arrived at the trading center, they also cleaned the entire surrounding-market place and when they finished they had assembly with all business owners of Khondowe trading center.

In his remarks, Steven Mkandawire, the chairman of Khondowe trading center said that the Keep-Khondowe-Clean initiative is welcomed and has called all business owners to take action in as far sanitation and hygiene is concerned. 

+The author of this article is a final-year student in Bachelor of Science in Public Health at University of Livingstonia

WHY DO WE CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS?

 "Within you, I've found the perfect friend, someone I know will be there to counsel me and they're not just thoughts together with Ms. K,  and even on your own you have proved it"-Busy Brain

Scholars who study the Bible say that the earliest mention of a birthday was around 3,000 B.C.E. and was in reference to a Pharaoh's birthday. But further study implies that this was not their birth into the world, but their “birth” as a god.

One of the most important days of our life is a birthday. A birthday is a day that comes once a year, and there is a reason for celebrating birthdays. A birthday is a point at which a person recognizes the commemoration of their introduction to the world.

Your birthday is something that means to the world. Your birthday is a chance to remember the old days that you enjoy and lefts bad day, and celebrate and give thanks to the people who always with you like a good day or bad days never leave you alone. Mostly thanks to God that you are celebrating a new birthday like reborn your life.

Birthday is a special moment in our life. Your introduction to the world was an incredible start and you don’t have any right to say where you are going to born and which your mom and dad. God made you fill a need in this world. Each time when your birthday comes to it means that you have to do great things until your ends and you have success in your life. It is an indication that your birthday is another opportunity to satisfy your born mission.

 As one of those involved in this dance, I have to bow and say “Happy Birthday Eva Nseula”

BLAME JESUS FOR NOT COMING “SOON”: INTO NAMADINGO’S MUSINGS IN “TUMANI’: QUESTIONS, MYTHS, AND FRUSTRATIONS OF CHRISTIANS

 Reviewer: Esteemed Ziliro Mchulu

 What is contained in music reflects what is happening in the society. Musicians presents popular ideas over issues and at times they try to promote their views on issues. However, to draw a line between the artist and their works has proven to be a daunting task since many preach what they believe to be right. Patience Namadingo has released a song titled “Tumani” (Send) which is a direct dictum on what is happening today in the Christian church and the country. The artist is reflecting on the status of the church while questioning God on why he is not acting when things are going wrong. The review responds to some questions raised in the song.

 The song presents the persona reflecting on what is happening in Malawi. It opens with a general reflection, that there are more people doing bad things than those doing good “Zikuoneka ngati anthu oipa, achuluka kuposa abwino”. This might be made from the current trends of rape, defilement, mob justice, corruption and many depravities happening in this country. A country termed as “God fearing” is full of rapist and corrupt officers who behave like corruption is one of the 10 commandments in the bible. These are some of the evil people that the artist might be talking about.

 The persona moves on to reveal another musing on the richness of today's ‘men of God’ (called prophets in the review). The persona observes that many prophets are rich these days.   “Zikumaonekaso ngati azitumiki anu ambili nkhani ya chuma yawayanja”. The reflection on the richness is made to sound as if it is wrong to be rich when you are a prophet. The persona presents the general view of many Christians who associate poverty and being holy. These are people who have problems with a man of God having money. It is not wrong to have money when you are a prophet. After all people freely give them money to use. Imagine how much offerings these prophets with massive followers get every service. Why should they be poor amidst plenty of offerings? They self-employed themselves to make money through the word of God hence we should not be surprised when they become rich, its business.

 The controversial musing in the song is the idea suggesting that prophets have stooped preaching about the second coming of Jesus. “Zikumazaonekaso ngati uthenga oti muzabwelaso pano anauimisa” . The persona made this observation based on what prophets are doing preaching more of individual success than salvation. However, prophets should be understood for preaching this. The prophets are subscribing to the Social Exchange Theory which argues that people will create and maintain relationships if they believe that rewards they derive from such relationship will exceed costs. The prophets are looking at the benefits of talking about salvation against personal success. Fortunately, people are interested in personal success (Miracles, “I receive”). Ironically native churches continue to preach about salvation hence they are losing members to Pentecostals and prophets.  

"On the other hand, it should be accepted that talking about the coming of Jesus is now a cliché. People are no longer interested in hearing this because it seems the “soon” used in his coming is not soon. There is no way you can expect people to expect someone for 2000+ years with a vibe like he took a flight from Lilongwe to Blantyre 9 o’clock yesterday.  Prophets have observed that talking about the coming back of Jesus as in soon is no longer making sense hence they have decided not to talk about it. How will they justify “soon” 2000 years after? Anthu amafika potopa."

 The artist then takes a guitar to add to the pianos jingles in such a way that the chorus becomes so charismatic. It links all the streaks in the first verse by asking God to bring angels to find the persona in Gethsemane. Gesemani is in Jerusalem where Jesus is said to have prayed on the night of his arrest before his Crucifixion. By asking God to bring the angels in Gesemani the persona is recognising the place as being important in the life and death of Jesus Christ. The chorus brings out random assertions reflecting on the church.

The persona claims that people are thieving and committing adultery in the church. He claims people are practising trade, not of souls but of merchandise in the church. The persona seem to be against the commercialisation of the church space as it happening today in both native and prophet churches. The climax of the musings is when the persona questions God as to why is he not acting. “Mesa mmati simusintha? Nanga lero bwanji? Tumani angelo anu azawakwapule”

 According to the persona’s observation, things are going wrong in the church and something has to be done and the one in charge is God but he is not doing the needed. The persona is asking God to act on this nuisance as he did when he was on earth as presented in Mathews 21:12 where Jesus turned violent and chased traders from the church. The persona is asking God to send angels to slap these prophets commercialising the church.

The song presents a voice of a frustrated Christian who is not happy with what other Christians are doing in the church. The persona is again frustrated with God who is not acting on the untidiness in the church. By begging God to send his angels to deal with the mess in the church, the persona is recognising the power of God in dealing with issues in the church. The persona does not want to take the place of God in sanitizing the church. He or she has given God the respect and space that he deserves to have. This song is a continuation of Namadingo’s protest against prophets commercialising the church. He denounced the same in “Dziko Lilipamoto”. Ironically the song is made to make money and the song is categorised as Gospel.  “Luke 6:20-21.

TEARS OF A GIRL CHILD

BY DONALD SAYENDA

You bastard fathers,

Why us not your wives?

Killing our virginity while we are young,

Why tearing apart our future?

You force us to sleep with you so that your evil desires are satisfied.

What differentiate you from murderers and thieves?

You are the Lucifer here on this earth; you are the wicked souls on this earth.

 You bastard uncle,

Why don’t you think about my happiness?

Why me your nephew and not your children?

You speak, move and smile like an angel

but deep inside you are monsters.

You give me sweats, biscuits, clothes and money in exchange of immoral yearning

You bastard brother,

Why me, your sister?

Killing that desire which I had for a brother;

To whom shall I report if one harasses me?

Who then should I trust to protect me?

Each and every day you use me.

Where are those fathers who used to care for their children?

Where are those uncles who used to defend their nephews?

Where are those brothers who used to stand for their sisters?

Where are those communities that were protecting us? 

 Where are those organisations that used to defend us from villains?

Why me not your wife

Why me your sister

Why me your girl child why, why, why me?! 

WE DEMAND JUSTICE: END POLICE BRUTALITY, END SARS!!

BY HEZRON MONJEZA LUHANGA 

If a dog goes to the donkey’s World, then the donkey would kill the dog, plainly, it's unfair and satiric in the eyes of humanity because right to live is for all.

What more if a dog kills a dog in a dog’s World? That's completely insane, and accurately appealed wrong and abominable in the eyes of both Law and God. Is it that the world has changed irresponsibly that now the Patriots resemble criminals?

Maybe the Universe has been altered unreasonably to its fullest that extra-judicial killings have become an island within the continent? Or may be terrorism has become clever enough to get shape and attained a profession to put in a police uniform to gun down the citizens as if it is nobody's business?

Is it that rights have stooped so low, crowning citizens so wrong to stand, fight and bring to light justice?

The answer is NO!! Then what is it? Why is it this way? How did it start? And when will it end?Our lives are tensed; homes are now guillotines assigned with guns picking who ever rises for the justice, our own security sector becoming a market of fear, a mafia to death, making breath deals with death??

That's not just satiric but also despicable and it must END. We don't need gun points! We need safety!

We are not labels! We are citizens, weapons free citizens. We are just the unclenched-fist warriors fighting against extra judicial killings.

EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS MUST PROCEED NO MORE, NOT TOMORROW OR THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW BUT NOW, IT MUST END RIGHT AWAY!!!

We don't ask for a favour! We ask for justice! Just give us a snippet of our justice!

Mind you, this is life, not vanity nor is it Gradietor Contest where life is played towards death!

 Trevor Noah once said," What our Nigerian brothers and sisters are passing through is painful and too familiar. For most of my life growing up in South Africa, I believed in everything the police did and everything they said BUT one day many of us learned that many of things we believed were lies. Today people of Nigeria are exposing and standing up to their government lies. We should all support #EndSARS and the movement for a Nigeria free from corruption."  Sending the scripture for a backup on Trevor Noah's speech:

“Knock and you will be opened"

We get up into the streets, with flags up knocking the doors of injustice to let go of corruption and bring us justice.

“God helps those who help themselves”

Our protests are not a weapon of mass destruction, it is our cry and prayer that hopefully we believe it will reach up above the heavens and God will never leave us alone in the cold outside.

What we have lost is not only our attention over the police; we've also lost trust over the police. How can we trust a Master who jeopardizes servants of his own?

FIRST LETTER TO THE SECRETARY: TO THE HEAD QUARTERS

Dear  Madam, 

Please, allow him to rest. 
The young man no longer gets asleep 
From the Boys Complex, the way to Mabutu is no longer short.
 
Dear  Madam,                                       
Please, allow him to rest.                                                     
The young man has starved himself for long.                                                                               

He buys; a burger for you, and not even a pen for himself.

Dear  Madam,                                   
My plea is simple and easy to understand                                         
Please allow Him to rest!

Yours faithfully,
Concerned man

LOGA Joseph