Reading Time: 3 minutesI once chanced upon an article recounting an encounter between a Zimbabwean former freedom fighter and his erstwhile prison guard, taking place shortly after Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. The dialogue exchanged between these two gentlemen was nothing short of fascinating. The freedom fighter asserted with conviction that his country was now independent, and that his […]

Reading Time: 3 minutesSocial scientists have coined a powerful term to describe the strategies people adopt when they can no longer rely on the resources that once sustained them: coping mechanisms. These techniques vary widely, from mastering the art of thriving without what has been lost, to creatively replacing what is gone with something else entirely. For years,

Reading Time: 3 minutesFiery and unapologetic, the late reggae icon Peter Tosh never bowed to labels or ideologies that did not sit right with him. When Grenadian Prime Minister Maurice Bishop invited him to a socialist summit, Tosh showed up—but not to conform. As soon as someone addressed him with the revolutionary greeting, “Comrade,” he shot back without

Reading Time: 3 minutesHaving treasures within arm’s reach doesn’t guarantee wealth. History is full of souls who lived and died in poverty, oblivious to the immense riches that lay right under their noses.More than once, I have expressed my deep dismay at the sight of wilting maize plants in gardens near Lake Malombe as I drove to Mangochi.

Reading Time: 3 minutesAs my wife and I strolled toward the gate to bid farewell to our visitor last Sunday evening, we stumbled upon a scene that was both amusing and oddly serene. There, bathed in the soft glow of the night, sat our guard, thoroughly engrossed in his supper. A steady rhythm of cool, mellow tunes pulsed

Reading Time: 3 minutesForget the current fuel crisis—paraffin vanished from our filling stations long ago, slipping quietly into oblivion. It seems the once-essential commodity has been deemed obsolete, cast aside like a relic of the past. Yet, for those who still swear by its cleaning power for machines and gadgets, finding a drop is like searching for gold

Reading Time: 3 minutesIn 2004, the Blantyre Joint Choir orchestrated an extraordinary event that left audiences spellbound—the “Sing Malawian Gospel Concert.” This one-of-a-kind performance seamlessly wove the rich tapestry of Malawian traditional dances into the choir’s powerful gospel music, creating a vibrant fusion of rhythm, faith, and culture. As we delved into perfecting the mganda dance, it quickly

Reading Time: 3 minutesLast week, I stepped into a dazzlingly stocked shop owned by a foreigner. The shelves brimmed with an astonishing array of items, from humble plastic cups to cutting-edge electronic marvels. After browsing through the treasure trove for what felt like an eternity, I finally snagged a few repair tools. The prices were a pleasant surprise—almost

Reading Time: 3 minutesOne sunny Saturday morning, as I navigated the bustling heart of Blantyre’s city center, my journey came to an unexpected crawl. The streets of the business district were choked with a sluggish procession of vehicles, inching forward like a lazy river. The culprit? A wedding. A jubilant couple, fresh from exchanging vows, had decided to

Reading Time: 3 minutesWhen guava season arrives, my office premises become an irresistible magnet for uninvited visitors. Two guava trees, standing proudly outside, bear luscious fruit that beckons like a siren’s call. Groups of giggling girls and boisterous boys take turns swarming the trees, plucking the ripest guavas with eager hands. They sink their teeth into the succulent