Code mending fences with Juna
…‘Were I not evicted I would have broken the bond with Maureen’
…Juna got in touch with Richard’s estranged wife Ricki
Code talks exclusively to Malawi News’ Emmanuel Luciano
The lion roared in the den called Big Brother House. Like a typical predator, the Malawian lion did unusually good job at defending itself where necessary and sometimes killing its prey to survive in the game. There was time to be intimate to preserve sanity and time to be real. Such was the manner of the game.
The threat the lion posed to other remaining dwellers of the house was so big that in the lion’s own words “it was time he was evicted.”
But five minutes before his eviction Code was having a discussion with Maureen about how it was not making sense to be intimate. Time for reckoning had finally come for the lion in the house.
“We had to think positively because we had lost a lot. It was me re-awakening. I have to be honest with you, if I had survived I would have gone back to my room and live my own life.
“I had to break the bond with Maureen especially on the kissing. Of course I would still hold respect for her,” said Code.
That moment before eviction Maureen was talking about her plans to come to Malawi and how Code would “affiliate her to something she wanted like a vocational centre and she invited me to her country purely on a business front,” Code said.
When Code’s name was announced as the next housemate to leave the, the one he planned to break the bond with had he survived clung to him like a leech, kissing him on end yet more drama was unfolding outside the house.
“In as far as the kissing was concerned. I was giving her moment because she had asked for it. I really wanted to go but I thought if I had refused, I would have left her in a terrible situation.
Five minutes after eviction the lion was facing the facts of life.
“Outside I knew what I had done was wrong. But it was something that I had to do to be sane because in that environment you need to be attached to someone.
“I think people have a right to have their perception. But that was just good companionship. Maureen opened up to me in a major, major way.”
The confrontation was as scary as it was emotional.
“Seeing my girlfriend was pure manifestation of her deeper love.” While still in that emotional embrace, “I told her I am sorry and she said, ‘don’t worry too much’. It’s gonna be okay’. I love you still and we will talk’.”
Great expectations make frustrated men but the night Code shared a room with his girlfriend did not seem to bring any frustrations.
“She was telling me how she got to the Big Brother forum and how she started responding on the forum until the last day. She told me how she got in touch with Richard’s wife Ricki after she had left Tanzania for Canada.
“She also talked about how some of the things that were being said were affecting are. They were some bad things that were being said about me which she thought were total ridicule. On things like the pro and cons of our relationship on a multicultural basis which were basically racist comments,” said King Code.
On their relationship, Code said:” One of the things she highlighted on was trust. She asked me if she could still trust me. We are mending fences now. That’s where we are. We are mending fences.”
“She showcased a deeper love for me and I would be a fool to disappoint her and I am not fool. She is the one I love, and you know I composed two songs in the house Cry no More, and Nyenyezi. I told her before we went into the house that; look, Every time you are thinking about me just look into the sky and when you see two stars its me and representation of our unborn baby.”
Asked why on the eve of his eviction he asked Maureen that he “wanted to have quality time with her”, a thing that many viewers interpreted to mean sex, Code said: “What I meant was that we needed time for us just to rectify things that were not rightly said, to thank her for providing emotional support. Basically we needed each other for the emotional support.
“And of all the nights in the world why should she choose the night that is supposedly my last in the house to say she wanted to sleep? Instead of spending sometime with someone you were close with there she was sleeping. Because I am a person who can easily adapt, I moved on. That’s why she apologised and said sorry about last night.”
Asked what could be the first thing she would tell Maureen if she got evicted, Code said: “I would tell her thanks for the emotional support. Tell her shorty is pregnant and I am gonna be a dad. I got back to shorty and that we can still pursue the business plans.”
The Malawian representative who is fondly called King Code by his fans said ‘Guzzle’ was one way of keeping sanity in the house. Guzzle had a way of detoxing us; opening us to each other about our deeper feelings or just having fun,” he said.
‘Malawi lets guzzle at Blue Elephant’
MALAWIAN’s ambassador to Big Brother Africa II, Code Sangala says he is ready to guzzle at his homecoming party at Blue Elephant today as the euphoria of his homecoming from the Big Brother House is hitting Malawians.
Code said he didn’t expect to thousands of Malawians to receive him.
“Honestly speaking expected people to welcome me but not that big multitude that included Honourable Billy Kaunda, Roy Comsy and honourable Aleke Banda. I was even excited to meet my Chichiri Dance Troupe,” he said.
“It was a grand welcome. No disrespectful to the president, it felt like a presidential welcome, I felt like a king,” he said.
On today’s homecoming party, Code said he expects a “peaceful and joyful drinking and dancing.”
“There is a guy inside me that likes partying. I am looking forward to guzzling. Some of the hottest deals are done at guzzle places,” he said.
Tapuwa Bandawe of Mathalala Label who are bringing Tay Grin, Dan Lufani and Edgar ndi Davis to the party said all is set.
“We want it to be a hell of the party. We didn’t want it to be only a disco that’s why we brought these guys so that Code and his friends should also have an opportunity to perform,” he said.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
A bite away from death
A bite away from death
By Emmanuel Luciano
There is a killer on loose. Rabies is mercilessly decimating Malawians.
“Rabies is a very scary disease. Once signs have shown in a man it’s a death sentence. It is very dangerous unlike Aids which you can survive through ARVs. When you have signs you cannot live more than seven days. The maximum one has lived in history is 14 days. ”
That’s how the veterinary surgeon, Dr. Kholiwe Mkandawire, portrays the threat that rabies poses.
On a daily basis, dogs are biting more and more people in Malawi. The press statement from government, which Secretary for Health Chris Kang’ombe and secretary for Agriculture Patrick Kabambe signed, says “Blantyre ADD is leading in registering dog bites cases with an average of 125 dog bites cases per month.”
This staggering statistic translates into 1500 people being at risk of dying of rabies in a year in Blantyre ADD alone if they don’t access the anti rabies vaccine.
It appears all over sudden dogs are on the loose in the country as more people are dying of rabies.
The current rabies status, Dr. Mkandawire says, warrants calling it a crisis.
“One case of rabies in a dog is enough to call it an outbreak because that dog is likely bite another dog, a person and wildlife. One bite can cause 100 cases of rabies,” she says.
Of the reported deaths, Blantyre recently registered two deaths while Malawi News’ investigation revealed that seven people died of rabies in Mulanje alone.
Dr. Mkandawire believes there are many unreported deaths of rabies throughout the country. Many people, says Dr Mkandawire, who take dog bites as normal in villages and do not bother to seek medical attention.
“No where in the world are people are people dying of rabies at the rate Malawians are dying of it. Three to four people die of rabies in Viphya every month.”
But a report of the study done at Queens Elizabeth Hospital for three years beginning March 2002 and posted on the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention website, indicate that rabies encephalitis is an important cause of death among children in Malawi.
The study also showed that 14 of 133 children who died from suspected Central Nervous System infections had rabies.
The report of the study says since this was a hospital-based study, the number of rabies cases in the community was likely to be much higher.
According to the report, “in some parts of Africa, up to 100 rabies cases are estimated to occur for each 1 officially reported.”
The report further says lack of diagnostic facilities and difficulties with the system hinder national reporting of rabies in Malawi.
Dr. Mkandawire however says cases of rabies are supposed to be rare occurrences.
“I remember my university professor telling me that you will never see a rabies case because it is rare in Europe and America,” she says.
The cases of the Dowa and Dedza beasts, in the eyes of the veterinary surgeon, are a pure scenario of rabies that was transferred to wild animals.
“We don’t control rabies in the bush. The rabies virus perpetuates itself by causing the madness to attack but villagers don’t know how to explain these things,” she says.
The ministry of Agriculture’s department of Animal Health and Livestock Department has “introduced annual rabies week vaccination campaign whereby dogs across the country are vaccinated free of charge.”
But Dr. Mkandawire, says, the campaign is not effective.
“The vaccination campaign really is very cosmetic. For you to control rabies really you must have coverage of 80 to 90 per cent of the vaccination of all the population of dogs. You cannot cover that in two to three weeks.
“There are no enough funds to give the boys allowances for the two weeks that they would be vaccinating the dogs.
“Inside sources told me that those who were doing the campaign in Blantyre were only given allowances for three days. You can’t take for granted the allowances of the workers in this campaign,” she says.
The Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development hasn’t been conducting shooting campaign of stray dogs because, as Malawi News understands, of problems in procuring bullets since through decentralization, each assembly has to buy for itself bullets.
But director of animal Health and Livestock Development Dr. Wilfred Lipita told Malawi News recently that it was no longer easy to carry a shooting exercise of stray dogs.
“The dogs are being clever these days. During the day they are not seen around and probably come out at night,” he said.
Dr. Mkandawire says it is 150 times cheaper to prevent rabies than to cure it hence government should pull its resources together on vaccination of dogs.
“For instance anti rabies vaccine for dogs cost K100 while a brand of human anti rabies vaccine cost K3000 on average per dose and for one to be treated he needs five injections which translates into K15 000,” she says.
“We don’t need to wait. We can control rabies. Government needs to import veterinary surgeons from countries like Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana while we are sending our young men to school. Imagine they are only four doctors in the whole Animal Health and Livestock Department,” she says.
The rabies crisis has prompted Kholiwe to hire a Kenyan veterinary surgeon to assist her in combating rabies.
“If Kholiwe can do it what can stop government from hiring veterinary surgeons? We also want sanity in the department of Animal Health and Livestock Development. This should be government’s priority,” she said.
By Emmanuel Luciano
There is a killer on loose. Rabies is mercilessly decimating Malawians.
“Rabies is a very scary disease. Once signs have shown in a man it’s a death sentence. It is very dangerous unlike Aids which you can survive through ARVs. When you have signs you cannot live more than seven days. The maximum one has lived in history is 14 days. ”
That’s how the veterinary surgeon, Dr. Kholiwe Mkandawire, portrays the threat that rabies poses.
On a daily basis, dogs are biting more and more people in Malawi. The press statement from government, which Secretary for Health Chris Kang’ombe and secretary for Agriculture Patrick Kabambe signed, says “Blantyre ADD is leading in registering dog bites cases with an average of 125 dog bites cases per month.”
This staggering statistic translates into 1500 people being at risk of dying of rabies in a year in Blantyre ADD alone if they don’t access the anti rabies vaccine.
It appears all over sudden dogs are on the loose in the country as more people are dying of rabies.
The current rabies status, Dr. Mkandawire says, warrants calling it a crisis.
“One case of rabies in a dog is enough to call it an outbreak because that dog is likely bite another dog, a person and wildlife. One bite can cause 100 cases of rabies,” she says.
Of the reported deaths, Blantyre recently registered two deaths while Malawi News’ investigation revealed that seven people died of rabies in Mulanje alone.
Dr. Mkandawire believes there are many unreported deaths of rabies throughout the country. Many people, says Dr Mkandawire, who take dog bites as normal in villages and do not bother to seek medical attention.
“No where in the world are people are people dying of rabies at the rate Malawians are dying of it. Three to four people die of rabies in Viphya every month.”
But a report of the study done at Queens Elizabeth Hospital for three years beginning March 2002 and posted on the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention website, indicate that rabies encephalitis is an important cause of death among children in Malawi.
The study also showed that 14 of 133 children who died from suspected Central Nervous System infections had rabies.
The report of the study says since this was a hospital-based study, the number of rabies cases in the community was likely to be much higher.
According to the report, “in some parts of Africa, up to 100 rabies cases are estimated to occur for each 1 officially reported.”
The report further says lack of diagnostic facilities and difficulties with the system hinder national reporting of rabies in Malawi.
Dr. Mkandawire however says cases of rabies are supposed to be rare occurrences.
“I remember my university professor telling me that you will never see a rabies case because it is rare in Europe and America,” she says.
The cases of the Dowa and Dedza beasts, in the eyes of the veterinary surgeon, are a pure scenario of rabies that was transferred to wild animals.
“We don’t control rabies in the bush. The rabies virus perpetuates itself by causing the madness to attack but villagers don’t know how to explain these things,” she says.
The ministry of Agriculture’s department of Animal Health and Livestock Department has “introduced annual rabies week vaccination campaign whereby dogs across the country are vaccinated free of charge.”
But Dr. Mkandawire, says, the campaign is not effective.
“The vaccination campaign really is very cosmetic. For you to control rabies really you must have coverage of 80 to 90 per cent of the vaccination of all the population of dogs. You cannot cover that in two to three weeks.
“There are no enough funds to give the boys allowances for the two weeks that they would be vaccinating the dogs.
“Inside sources told me that those who were doing the campaign in Blantyre were only given allowances for three days. You can’t take for granted the allowances of the workers in this campaign,” she says.
The Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development hasn’t been conducting shooting campaign of stray dogs because, as Malawi News understands, of problems in procuring bullets since through decentralization, each assembly has to buy for itself bullets.
But director of animal Health and Livestock Development Dr. Wilfred Lipita told Malawi News recently that it was no longer easy to carry a shooting exercise of stray dogs.
“The dogs are being clever these days. During the day they are not seen around and probably come out at night,” he said.
Dr. Mkandawire says it is 150 times cheaper to prevent rabies than to cure it hence government should pull its resources together on vaccination of dogs.
“For instance anti rabies vaccine for dogs cost K100 while a brand of human anti rabies vaccine cost K3000 on average per dose and for one to be treated he needs five injections which translates into K15 000,” she says.
“We don’t need to wait. We can control rabies. Government needs to import veterinary surgeons from countries like Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana while we are sending our young men to school. Imagine they are only four doctors in the whole Animal Health and Livestock Department,” she says.
The rabies crisis has prompted Kholiwe to hire a Kenyan veterinary surgeon to assist her in combating rabies.
“If Kholiwe can do it what can stop government from hiring veterinary surgeons? We also want sanity in the department of Animal Health and Livestock Development. This should be government’s priority,” she said.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Review -- Chimombo’s ‘Aids artists and authors’:A look at creative arts responses to Aids
Reviewed By Emmanuel Luciano
The theme of Aids as a source of artistic inspiration has brought and borne many artistic products in the form of poems, short stories, novels, paintings, and even films.
Though the didactic role artists have played in the fight against HIV/Aids since its discovery in the country in 1985 is well documented, not much academic study has been done in this area so as to critically look at the artistic responses to the pandemic.
Professor Emeritus Steve Chimombo’s Aids artists and authors is the book that critically dissects the creative works that the theme of Aids solicited from 1985 to 2006.
This is the not the first time though that Chimombo, the literati, is involved in a project of this nature. Actually this is the author’s fourth book in which he is analysing popular responses to ‘selected social-political event in Malawi’.
In Malawian Oral literature the author examined the use of folklore in contemporary society while in the Culture of Democracy, a book he co-authored, the emphasis was on the society’s responses to the transition from dictatorial to democratic rule. The Epic of the Forest Creatures is an analysis that was handled in a poetic form. Other works by Chimombo need no cataloging just as the author himself need no introduction.
But in Aids artists and authors, however, the author exposes the bathos and pathos of the literary genres of short stories, poems and the novel that captured the Aids theme from 1985 to 2006. How the Aids theme was explored in the visual arts has also been tackled to a greater extent.
It is interesting to note, for instance, how the authors’ handling of the theme in their works was largely influenced by the knowledge they had about the disease. In earlier writing the writers were picking up the beliefs, misconceptions people had about Aids and incorporated them in their works.
Though Chimombo has covered everything that needs to be said about the way the works of art, it is the structural problems, the jargon used, the character employed that demonstrates that HIV/Aids might not have been covered properly after all. The language of Aids campaigns inevitably creeps in sometimes rather awkward places…It is obvious not much communication is taking place here (Page 104).
It is not surprising, therefore, that while applauding other writers in the case of short story the author says: At one end of the instinctive evaluative scale we have an almost formless mass of text masquerading as a short story because the editor published in a column labelled such (page 108).
The book also demonstrates that there was little coverage of the Aids theme in the novel and visual arts area. Masa Lemu’s Masks of Aids and The grave Diggers, and David Scot’s The Shadow of Aids seem to be the only noted paintings to have been exhibited on Aids. Aids on stone, as the book demonstrates, was also peripherally covered.
I would have loved if the author had included some recent songs from other artists other than only zeroing on Black Paseli’s contribution.
Considering that the nature of the project necessitated the author to furrow in a large volume of archive material, he needs to be commended for thus dissecting the works of art that inundated the country from 1985 to 2006.
It might as well become a recommended if not a prescribed text for studying Aids and creative arts in Malawi.
Published by Wasi Publication, this 226-paged book is available in all bookshops in the country.
The theme of Aids as a source of artistic inspiration has brought and borne many artistic products in the form of poems, short stories, novels, paintings, and even films.
Though the didactic role artists have played in the fight against HIV/Aids since its discovery in the country in 1985 is well documented, not much academic study has been done in this area so as to critically look at the artistic responses to the pandemic.
Professor Emeritus Steve Chimombo’s Aids artists and authors is the book that critically dissects the creative works that the theme of Aids solicited from 1985 to 2006.
This is the not the first time though that Chimombo, the literati, is involved in a project of this nature. Actually this is the author’s fourth book in which he is analysing popular responses to ‘selected social-political event in Malawi’.
In Malawian Oral literature the author examined the use of folklore in contemporary society while in the Culture of Democracy, a book he co-authored, the emphasis was on the society’s responses to the transition from dictatorial to democratic rule. The Epic of the Forest Creatures is an analysis that was handled in a poetic form. Other works by Chimombo need no cataloging just as the author himself need no introduction.
But in Aids artists and authors, however, the author exposes the bathos and pathos of the literary genres of short stories, poems and the novel that captured the Aids theme from 1985 to 2006. How the Aids theme was explored in the visual arts has also been tackled to a greater extent.
It is interesting to note, for instance, how the authors’ handling of the theme in their works was largely influenced by the knowledge they had about the disease. In earlier writing the writers were picking up the beliefs, misconceptions people had about Aids and incorporated them in their works.
Though Chimombo has covered everything that needs to be said about the way the works of art, it is the structural problems, the jargon used, the character employed that demonstrates that HIV/Aids might not have been covered properly after all. The language of Aids campaigns inevitably creeps in sometimes rather awkward places…It is obvious not much communication is taking place here (Page 104).
It is not surprising, therefore, that while applauding other writers in the case of short story the author says: At one end of the instinctive evaluative scale we have an almost formless mass of text masquerading as a short story because the editor published in a column labelled such (page 108).
The book also demonstrates that there was little coverage of the Aids theme in the novel and visual arts area. Masa Lemu’s Masks of Aids and The grave Diggers, and David Scot’s The Shadow of Aids seem to be the only noted paintings to have been exhibited on Aids. Aids on stone, as the book demonstrates, was also peripherally covered.
I would have loved if the author had included some recent songs from other artists other than only zeroing on Black Paseli’s contribution.
Considering that the nature of the project necessitated the author to furrow in a large volume of archive material, he needs to be commended for thus dissecting the works of art that inundated the country from 1985 to 2006.
It might as well become a recommended if not a prescribed text for studying Aids and creative arts in Malawi.
Published by Wasi Publication, this 226-paged book is available in all bookshops in the country.
Monday, July 16, 2007
'Kudikilira Mzungu':Poetry from Felix Njonjonjo
| Reviewed by: Emmanuel Luciano Gospel Kazako and Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga’s Kuyimba kwa Alakatuli was the best thing that ever happened in the world of vernacular poetry in the country. The poetry enthusiasm of the two marked the springboard for emerging poets who wanted to fully venture into vernacular poetry. Though Gospel and Benedicto arguably made vernacular poetry popular with their recitals on the local radio station, the emergence of Nyamalikiti Nthiwatiwa and Felix Njonjonjo Katsoka as new generation vernacular poets revitalised poetry recitals altogether. But Njonjonjo and Nyamalikiti have their vernacular poetry background in what they started as ‘Chiphwelemwe Cha Msangulutso’ when they were still in college at Chanco in Zomba. A holder of Bachelor of Education degree, Njonjonjo has decided to take his poetry a mile further by releasing a 15-track album, Kudikilira Mzungu. Employing a satirical tone, Kudikilira Mzungu pours scorn on the fickleness that is Malawian politics. Politicians are ridiculed for changing party allegiance like a chameleon as evidenced in Majeremusi whose innuendos and subsequent images it creates are pleasing to the ear. The country’s currency, Kwacha is scoffed at for its instability: Iwe tandionetse khongono zako ndizotani?..Yabwera liti Euro kuti ikulikhe?.../ Khungu lako ndi lamakwinya lonyozoloka/ Fodya tikukulimirayu sakukwana…kuti ubwelere mphamvu? You would admire the alliteration, the crafting of words and the symbolism that the images carry in Ndichani Chizunguza Bongo, a poem that poses a question on what actually is in a beer or alcohol to make people go crazy: Ndichani chizunguza bongo choti njo muntonjani/..chimadensa msana mukadansana/..ndi bangalanji kam’banga/…kapena amakhala petulo ndi Rhoda Mpetuloda? The larger than life issues of HIV/ Aids are discussed in Akadakhala Malungo while Adapita Davideko makes a mockery of the NGOs that have been fighting Madonna’s adoption of David Banda. The tendency of attributing everything good to the 'Mzungu’ is discouraged in Kudikira Mzungu. I haven’t listened to good vernacular poetry for a while but this one would make those who appreciate art green with envy at the artistry of Njonjonjo. Save for the few poems that are too long for the easily distracted mind, it’s a must have for those who like ‘good things’. Recorded at Baptist Media Centre, the album is available for sale at Baptist Media Centre and other outlets throughout the country. |
Friday, June 29, 2007
Music Review: Wendy Harawa muses on Africa
Reviewed by Emmanuel Luciano
Since Wendy participated in the Music Crossroads initiative when it was being initiated a couple of years ago, her artistic prowess in music has grown in leaps and bounds.
The lady artist who is otherwise regarded as the Malawian queen of ragga has been everywhere. She featured in numerous of Lucius Banda’s songs before she went solo. She has shared the stage with the likes of Billy Kaunda, Joseph Tembo and almost everyone who matters in Malawian music. She has done music collabos with Paul Banda his brother Lucius and Coss Chiwalo. She travelled far and wide with the Zambian artist of the Yakumbuyo fame, Danny K.
Wendy’s sojourns in music have seen her releasing Nowa Kusowa, Hero and the third album, Africa, which is now on the market.
In Africa the artist talks about the aspirations, the tribulations, and the love life that defines an African (Malawian).
The influence of Lucius Banda on Wendy’s music (after all she was Soldier’s protégée) is there for everyone to see in this album. Amikayele which was originally done by Lucius Banda finds its way in this album. The gap that has been created between the vocals and instrumentation in Amikayele expresses that the redo of Soldier’s song was worth every effort.
Africa, the title-track even pronounces more the presence of Soldier in the album; it has been somewhat rendered in a manner that one would easily associate to Lucius Banda’s own genre both thematically and stylistically.
Sindilichoncho, which features Lulu, is arguably the most beautiful song in the album. Wendy’s unique touch of music is defined by Sindilichoncho and Don’t Worry. Surprisingly these two are the only songs that were rendered in Wendy’s inimitable ragga style. Umpatse, is another well rendered song though it sounds more of one of the tracks in Makoma’s Nzambe Na Bomoyi.
Perhaps the fact that some songs were recorded at different studios can explain the variation. Otherwise this album signifies that Wendy is coming of age.
Recorded at Studio 762, Rhem and Sparrow Studios, the album is available for sale in all music outlets.
Since Wendy participated in the Music Crossroads initiative when it was being initiated a couple of years ago, her artistic prowess in music has grown in leaps and bounds.
The lady artist who is otherwise regarded as the Malawian queen of ragga has been everywhere. She featured in numerous of Lucius Banda’s songs before she went solo. She has shared the stage with the likes of Billy Kaunda, Joseph Tembo and almost everyone who matters in Malawian music. She has done music collabos with Paul Banda his brother Lucius and Coss Chiwalo. She travelled far and wide with the Zambian artist of the Yakumbuyo fame, Danny K.
Wendy’s sojourns in music have seen her releasing Nowa Kusowa, Hero and the third album, Africa, which is now on the market.
In Africa the artist talks about the aspirations, the tribulations, and the love life that defines an African (Malawian).
The influence of Lucius Banda on Wendy’s music (after all she was Soldier’s protégée) is there for everyone to see in this album. Amikayele which was originally done by Lucius Banda finds its way in this album. The gap that has been created between the vocals and instrumentation in Amikayele expresses that the redo of Soldier’s song was worth every effort.
Africa, the title-track even pronounces more the presence of Soldier in the album; it has been somewhat rendered in a manner that one would easily associate to Lucius Banda’s own genre both thematically and stylistically.
Sindilichoncho, which features Lulu, is arguably the most beautiful song in the album. Wendy’s unique touch of music is defined by Sindilichoncho and Don’t Worry. Surprisingly these two are the only songs that were rendered in Wendy’s inimitable ragga style. Umpatse, is another well rendered song though it sounds more of one of the tracks in Makoma’s Nzambe Na Bomoyi.
Perhaps the fact that some songs were recorded at different studios can explain the variation. Otherwise this album signifies that Wendy is coming of age.
Recorded at Studio 762, Rhem and Sparrow Studios, the album is available for sale in all music outlets.
Convicted MPs: Speaker should seek Court's interpretation-Law lecturer
By Emmanuel Luciano
HEAD of Foundation Law at Chancellor College, Mwiza Nkhata, says the Speaker should first seek courts’ interpretation before declaring the seats of convicted MPs vacant because of an apparent lack of authoritative definition or listing of what amounts to an offence or crime of moral turpitude.
Speaker of National Assembly Louis Chimango is yet to decide the fate of Lucius Banda, Yusuf Mwawa, Maxwell Milanzi and Clement Chiwaya who were convicted of various offences.
Nkhata said it would be safe for the Speaker to tread carefully on the issue to avoid a multiplicity of litigation “by asking the courts to determine in the specific instances involving the convicted members whether the offences at hand could be deemed to be ones involving moral turpitude.”
He said the seats of the members could thus only be declared vacant if the court confirmed that the crimes are those involving moral turpitude.
“I am convinced that a reading of sections 63(e) together with section 51 (2)(c)leads to the conclusion that a member of Parliament who is convicted within 7 years prior to his becoming a member of Parliament of a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude will lose his seat.
“The two provisions read together lead to the conclusion that the vacancy in a member’s seat shall occur by operation of law—-vide section 63(e) of the constitution, therefore, under section 63(e) the occurrence of particular events, in this case the conviction on a crime of dishonesty or moral turpitude, will by itself create a vacancy in relation to the concerned member’s seat.
“However, the not-so clear issue presently is that, while offences involving dishonesty may be easy to circumscribe it has yet to be conclusively established which offences amount to those of moral turpitude,” Nkhata said.
The law lecturer cited the contempt of court case involving MCP president John Tembo and former MCP secretary general Kate Kainja, which led to the two MPs losing their seats before the Supreme Court ruled otherwise.
“The Supreme court in the Tembo case did not define what amounts to an offence involving moral turpitude within our local context.
“The court in that case was concerned with the question of whether contempt of court in civil proceedings could amount to offence of moral turpitude, which they answered in the negative.
“This is why I am saying, in the light of the apparent lack of authoritative definition or listing of what amounts to an offence or crime of moral turpitude, if I were the Speaker, I would opt to proceed cautiously otherwise any decision by the Speaker is bound to raise further litigation contesting whether the particular offences involve moral turpitude or not,” he said.
But Dean of Law Necton Mhura at Chancellor College said there was no need for the Speaker to seek court’s interpretation on the issue.
“Cases that are set on moral turpitude are very clear. Of all the cases that are there, it is only the one involving [Clement] Chiwaya that is doubtful. It is within the Speaker’s power to decide on the issue. Let the courts decide only when someone challenges the Speaker’s decision.
Mhura said it was surprising that the Speaker was taking time to decide on the issue.
“I am surprised that the Speaker has not declared the seats vacant but that can only be answered by the Speaker himself,” he said.
According to Nkhata moral turpitude cases are generally understood as crimes which involve conduct considered to be against societal norms of justice, honesty and good morals.
One lawyer who opted for anonymity said although the law was clear on convicted MPs, the Speaker’s delay in declaring the seats vacant could be attributed to other factors.
“Perhaps the Speaker has not been served with judgment on the cases. Those who tried the cases should first serve the Speaker with judgment because he cannot just act on media reports.
“It could also be because he hasn’t had time to allow principles of natural justice to take its course by meeting these people to hear their side because of the schedule of Parliament considering how Parliament business is conducted,’’ he said.
Efforts to talk the speaker proved futile as he could not be reached on his mobile phone.
HEAD of Foundation Law at Chancellor College, Mwiza Nkhata, says the Speaker should first seek courts’ interpretation before declaring the seats of convicted MPs vacant because of an apparent lack of authoritative definition or listing of what amounts to an offence or crime of moral turpitude.
Speaker of National Assembly Louis Chimango is yet to decide the fate of Lucius Banda, Yusuf Mwawa, Maxwell Milanzi and Clement Chiwaya who were convicted of various offences.
Nkhata said it would be safe for the Speaker to tread carefully on the issue to avoid a multiplicity of litigation “by asking the courts to determine in the specific instances involving the convicted members whether the offences at hand could be deemed to be ones involving moral turpitude.”
He said the seats of the members could thus only be declared vacant if the court confirmed that the crimes are those involving moral turpitude.
“I am convinced that a reading of sections 63(e) together with section 51 (2)(c)leads to the conclusion that a member of Parliament who is convicted within 7 years prior to his becoming a member of Parliament of a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude will lose his seat.
“The two provisions read together lead to the conclusion that the vacancy in a member’s seat shall occur by operation of law—-vide section 63(e) of the constitution, therefore, under section 63(e) the occurrence of particular events, in this case the conviction on a crime of dishonesty or moral turpitude, will by itself create a vacancy in relation to the concerned member’s seat.
“However, the not-so clear issue presently is that, while offences involving dishonesty may be easy to circumscribe it has yet to be conclusively established which offences amount to those of moral turpitude,” Nkhata said.
The law lecturer cited the contempt of court case involving MCP president John Tembo and former MCP secretary general Kate Kainja, which led to the two MPs losing their seats before the Supreme Court ruled otherwise.
“The Supreme court in the Tembo case did not define what amounts to an offence involving moral turpitude within our local context.
“The court in that case was concerned with the question of whether contempt of court in civil proceedings could amount to offence of moral turpitude, which they answered in the negative.
“This is why I am saying, in the light of the apparent lack of authoritative definition or listing of what amounts to an offence or crime of moral turpitude, if I were the Speaker, I would opt to proceed cautiously otherwise any decision by the Speaker is bound to raise further litigation contesting whether the particular offences involve moral turpitude or not,” he said.
But Dean of Law Necton Mhura at Chancellor College said there was no need for the Speaker to seek court’s interpretation on the issue.
“Cases that are set on moral turpitude are very clear. Of all the cases that are there, it is only the one involving [Clement] Chiwaya that is doubtful. It is within the Speaker’s power to decide on the issue. Let the courts decide only when someone challenges the Speaker’s decision.
Mhura said it was surprising that the Speaker was taking time to decide on the issue.
“I am surprised that the Speaker has not declared the seats vacant but that can only be answered by the Speaker himself,” he said.
According to Nkhata moral turpitude cases are generally understood as crimes which involve conduct considered to be against societal norms of justice, honesty and good morals.
One lawyer who opted for anonymity said although the law was clear on convicted MPs, the Speaker’s delay in declaring the seats vacant could be attributed to other factors.
“Perhaps the Speaker has not been served with judgment on the cases. Those who tried the cases should first serve the Speaker with judgment because he cannot just act on media reports.
“It could also be because he hasn’t had time to allow principles of natural justice to take its course by meeting these people to hear their side because of the schedule of Parliament considering how Parliament business is conducted,’’ he said.
Efforts to talk the speaker proved futile as he could not be reached on his mobile phone.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Unaccredited universities to graduate in Sept.
By Emmanuel Luciano
About 80 students will be graduating from University of Livingstonia and Malawi Adventist University with unrecognised certificates because government’s accreditation committee is yet to accredit the two universities.
Livingstonia University of Education is expected to graduate its first intake of 36 students in September this year while Malawi Adventist University’s Lake View Campus will graduate its first batch of 42 students in November.
But both registrars of Livingstonia University and Malawi Adventist University are hopeful that the accreditation committee will recognise the universities in time for the graduation.
Registrar of University of Livingstonia Reverend Binnie Mwakasungula said they recently met the accreditation committee on the issue.
“We met the accreditation committee in Zomba. There were a few things that they wanted us to do; things that have to do with our programmes.
“I can’t say that they wanted a, b, c, because they are technical. But all I can say is that we are hopeful that within the month of June, we should be accredited,” said Mwakasungula.
Registrar of Malawi Adventist University Steven Moyo said government was yet to visit the college on final accreditation.
“Since we are an affiliate of University of East Africa, we have just received the final affiliation document. We have submitted the affiliation document to government in preparation for accreditation,” Moyo said.
Newly-opened Catholic University, whose students are in the second semester of the first year, also opened its doors without being accredited.
The University’s deputy vice-chancellor Dr. Martins Mtumbuka said they had made significant progress towards accrediting the university.
“Unfortunately, we are not allowed to disclose but we are very close. What I can tell you is that it’s taxing. Writing the syllabus and developing the curriculum, it’s just like writing your thesis,” he said, adding he was hopeful the University would be accredited before it re-opens for the first semester in August.
“You know this [accreditation] becomes a big issue when you are graduating students. It affects worthiness of certificates of the people who go through a course process,” he said.
Member of accreditation committee, who is also Principal Secretary for Human Resources Development, Samuel Madula said they were at an advanced stage with accreditation of the universities. But he could not give a timeframe for the accreditation process.
“We are at an advanced stage but I cannot tell you where we exactly are because I was outside the country.
About 80 students will be graduating from University of Livingstonia and Malawi Adventist University with unrecognised certificates because government’s accreditation committee is yet to accredit the two universities.
Livingstonia University of Education is expected to graduate its first intake of 36 students in September this year while Malawi Adventist University’s Lake View Campus will graduate its first batch of 42 students in November.
But both registrars of Livingstonia University and Malawi Adventist University are hopeful that the accreditation committee will recognise the universities in time for the graduation.
Registrar of University of Livingstonia Reverend Binnie Mwakasungula said they recently met the accreditation committee on the issue.
“We met the accreditation committee in Zomba. There were a few things that they wanted us to do; things that have to do with our programmes.
“I can’t say that they wanted a, b, c, because they are technical. But all I can say is that we are hopeful that within the month of June, we should be accredited,” said Mwakasungula.
Registrar of Malawi Adventist University Steven Moyo said government was yet to visit the college on final accreditation.
“Since we are an affiliate of University of East Africa, we have just received the final affiliation document. We have submitted the affiliation document to government in preparation for accreditation,” Moyo said.
Newly-opened Catholic University, whose students are in the second semester of the first year, also opened its doors without being accredited.
The University’s deputy vice-chancellor Dr. Martins Mtumbuka said they had made significant progress towards accrediting the university.
“Unfortunately, we are not allowed to disclose but we are very close. What I can tell you is that it’s taxing. Writing the syllabus and developing the curriculum, it’s just like writing your thesis,” he said, adding he was hopeful the University would be accredited before it re-opens for the first semester in August.
“You know this [accreditation] becomes a big issue when you are graduating students. It affects worthiness of certificates of the people who go through a course process,” he said.
Member of accreditation committee, who is also Principal Secretary for Human Resources Development, Samuel Madula said they were at an advanced stage with accreditation of the universities. But he could not give a timeframe for the accreditation process.
“We are at an advanced stage but I cannot tell you where we exactly are because I was outside the country.
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