![Mwai Kumwenda: It's now]()
Today let’s take a break from our myriad of problems. Forget the charlatan’s posturing as prophets stealing from the poor and riding in high class vehicles. Pray for the spirit of love and forgiveness in Malawi, the spirit of not killing each other from wild suspicions of witchcraft, jealousy driven suspicions of satanism just because our neighbour is doing better than us.
[caption id="attachment_91966" align="alignright" width="344"]
![Mwai Kumwenda: It's now]()
Mwai Kumwenda: It's now[/caption]
If a God-fearing-porn-sharing nation can believe that the devil has powers to make people rich, I don’t see who would want to be poor. Poverty is painful, sleeping on empty stomachs, girls going to school without
zamkati and admiring things you can never have.
There is much more to life than just thinking miracles will happen. God helps those who help themselves. You can’t surely spend your life gossiping about others, burning in your heart against the success of others and of course creating rumours about others, you will die a very sad man and woman.
Today we say
Dzuka Malawi, start living. The Mwawi Kumwenda victory with overwhelming votes as global athlete of the year indicated that if we can be united, we can, o yes we can as a nation and individuals be determined to do better things for ourselves and our mother Malawi. A small country of 16 million people, we voted our hearts and phones out to just make Mwawi happy. That’s a spirit I would say makes Malawi the warm heart of Africa.
Politicians, our national cartoons, stopped cartooning for a moment and joined you and me to vote for Mwawi. We voted everyday, we inspired each other to vote more. We took it serious as our personal responsibility to keep voting.
Can something good come out of Malawi, yes it did, we can be united and build a successful campaign at national level. Mwawi’s victory tells me there is hope after all for this Twitter and Facebook generation, we have proven together we can.
Yes, now lets vote for Piksy at Kora Awards text KORA53 at +248984000 it will cost you MWK44.00. We can take our Piksy to the skies and sale our music across the continent if we can market through this forum. Lets do it. The same with Joyce Mhango Chavula on Africa Magic Viewers Awards with her film Lilongwe. Lets do it compatriots.
I took non-alcoholic wine and toasted to Mwawi’s victory. Rains were dropping, I thought if we can campaign and win on social media, why can we not campaign and win to plant trees and return our vegetative cover we have lost across the country.
Imagine every family planting two trees only, even if its fruits, we will have 34 million trees planted and looked after. Each school, church, NGO, Government Ministry or department, Foreign Embassies or organisation, each Prophet and each political party planting only 500 trees per office and look after them, we are talking of not less than 200 million trees.
If you are a Facebooker, Nyasa Times comments user, Twitter or Instagram user, plant a tree for each post-we are talking of the whole Zalewa returning to old forests where Gwape and Kalulu were abundant. We are talking of dense forests in Chikwawa, Golomoti, Liwaladzi, Santhe, Chulu and Mbalachanda. We need our forests backs, we need to plant our trees and make it our responsibility to look after them.
A close friend of mine is mad about trees. Last week I asked him why he keeps planting trees every rainy season. He says for any reasonable man, planting trees is his better insurance than buying actual insurance. I was quite for once to listen to his madness.
He claims a 3x3m plank now costs MWK2,800.00 each at a market in Lilongwe and slightly more in Blantyre. It is MWK1800 in Chikangawa which is almost finished. If you planted at least 1,000 pine trees on that bare land in your village or anywhere you own, each tree can give you MWK28,000 worth of planks and 1000 trees will give you at least MWK28 million in ten years. Look back where were you 10 years ago, if you had planted only 10,000 trees by now, you could have been a millionaire and no tax from Government, there is no tax on trees. Just don’t put your money in bank. But if you have a vision of what you want to be, I would look for all bare lands and plant my trees. Lets talk again in 10 years.
So, together we can as a nation emerge victorious in getting awards for our athletes and artists, together we will be able to re-plant trees and make Limbe of Mapulanga rain again in August or Mzuzu of Chendamayiza feel like Europe.
Together we will insure the next generation have adequate rains, ESCOM has no excuses and floods will not happen with enough trees all of over Chikwawa, Nsanje, Zomba, Karonga, Salima and Nkhotakota.
To all those planning big this valentines, take your lovers to the best spots like Ku Chawe or Kara O Mura, Game Haven, Ku Bwinja or Ku Malingunde or Dedza Pottery or ku Chintheche or Nyika, the beauty lies with the trees and green grass.
My six year-old son decided to ask our maid, Nasibeko on what valentines day is, I was, with the mother of the house keen to hear the answer. The conversation was like this,
Kid: a Nasi kodi valentine
mundipangila party, Nasi responds:
Ayi mwanawe usamaganize za valentine.
Kid: Aaah inu valentine ndi chani? Nasi: Birthday
ya mahule! The woman of the house looked at me, I dashed for the toilet door!
Happy Valentines all Malawians, may we find love and grow trees!
Lucius Banda: To perform alongside Judy Boucher[/caption]
On Saturday, fans will be treated to a “Be my Valentine” gig at Chez Ntemba and on Sunday, there are two major events, a Dziko FM valentine’s poetry festival at Lz-berg Sports and Leisure Center and Judy Boucher Valentine’s concert at BICC.
FM 101 Power radio DJ Kenny Klips says he is set to invade Lilongwe’s Chez Ntemba with a gig dubbed “Be my Valentine” on Valentine’s eve, 13 February.
Klips confirmed to this publication that all arrangements have been done and Lilongwe lovebirds should expect fireworks.
“As usual I bring a different experience. I don't play sets; I give a performance, a DJ performance to be precise. Am bringing something for everyone,” he boasted.
The Blantyre based outspoken DJ further pointed out that Lilongwe’s Chez Ntemba was chosen because it is spacious.
Asked on why he decided to bring the party to the Capital City, Klips narrated, “As one of the biggest clubs in Malawi we needed a significant space to fit in the masses and Chez was the perfect selection.”
According to the DJ, among other things, ladies will receive a rose flower before 11pm.
The following afternoon, on the actual Valentine’s Day, Dziko FM has organized a poetry festival dubbed “Mchezo wa Alakatuli”, a showdown that will attract various poets from across the country.
According to Dziko FM’s Facebook page, poets Josephy Madzedze, Samuel Josephy, Humble C, Raphael Sitima, Mr. Malawi, Aunt Getu and Atcheya among others are expected to perform alongside Dziko FM’s DJs at the event.
In the evening, perhaps the highlight of all valentines’ events in the city, Caribbean songstress Judy Boucher is expected to perform alongside Musician – cum – politician, Lucius Banda.
Impact Events, the organizers of the event confirmed to local press earlier this week that all is set and Boucher will be arriving in the country on 12 February.
Banda said Malawians should be assured of a live band performance and no CDs will be used.
Judy Boucher (born in St. Vincent in the Caribbean) is a reggae and R&B singer. Her first solo song "Dreaming of a Little Island" was a hit in the reggae charts in 1985, and she is best known for her international hit single "Can't Be with You Tonight", which reached number 2 in the UK singles chart in April 1987.
Lilia[/caption]
The Lilongwe based singer told this publication that she is currently on a break for personal reasons.
“Well I am on a small break due to some personal reasons. But I'll be back later this year with something different and unusual,” Lilia said in an interview with Nyasa Times.
She added, “My last musical project was "crossover". However, it was not released due to some financial reasons.”
Although she doesn’t have an album to her credit, Lilia is not a new face in urban music and show business.
She has also been on Television presenting for Luso TV.
Despite being Gwamba’s backing vocalist on stage for a while, Lilia has worked with several artists including Young Kay, Third Eye, DJ Africa, A.K, Trix, Dominant 1, K2B Block, Dizzo, Harry B and Cash.
“I have been produced by Sonye as well as Pro Pee, BFB, DJ Sley, DJ Africa again shared a stage with Kwaito/House legend Oskido, recorded with South Africa’s Hip Hop legend HHP and Blasto, the list is long but these are the highlights of my music,” she explained.
Unending maize ques at Admarc[/caption]
Malawi is currently experiencing maize shortage and the food shortage situation is worsening as people are being forced to spend nights at Admarc depots just to access the grain.
The situation has forced government to take restrict measures in how the maize is sold in Admarc depots and has since deployed police officers in all depots to monitor and manage the situation.
And on Wednesday the law-enforcers in Mulanje arrested Jefrey Maliyango, 22, and Steven Mahaya, 35, for buying maize bulks from the government-owned grain marketer.
Mulanje police Public Relations Officer, Gresham Ngwira said the two hired some women to buy maize for them at Mulanje Admarc depot.
“They were paying each woman K800 for every 20kgs bought. Officially 20kgs costs K2, 200. When officers monitoring the sales noted this, they immediately arrested the two who by then had bought 7 bags weighing 60kgs each,'' explained Ngwira.
The two will appear in court soon after police investigations.
''We wish to warn the public against this malpractice. Anyone found will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly. We will not relent, officers are in all Admarc selling points to monitor the situation''.
Currently over 2 million are about to face food shortage, according to government's assessment done last year.
The country is experiencing food shortage and there is no hope from authorities that the situation will improve any time soon.
President Peter Mutharika with foreign minister George Chaponda[/caption]
Mutharika suspended oil and gas exploration on the lake in 2014 because of allegations that the awarding of licenses to foreign companies was dubiously done.
The lifting of the ban will now allow oil and gas firms to start prospecting for the hydro-carbons.
“I am pleased to inform you that the President (Peter Mutharika) has lifted the ban. More details will come from the relevant ministry. I am glad that the president has picked this path. The mining sector will play an important role,” Chaponda told a news conference.
Chaponda said oil and gas exporters Georgia and Kazakhstan, are among the nations who have courted Malawi on the oil and gas exploration.
The Minister held discussions with Republic of Georgia’s Foreign Affairs deputy minister David Jalagania, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Affairs deputy minister Ycrzhan Ashikbayev and Morocco’s Foreign Affairs deputy Minister Sala Heddine Mezouar on the sidelines of the 26th African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Chaponda said these countries will provide expertise and share their knowledge.
The lifting of the ban has excited some business and civic leaders .
Civil society activist Undule Mwakasungula also it is “welcome development” for government to move with speed on the oil licensing decisions.
Businessperson Peter Manda, who is also secretary for Karonga Development Community (KDC)—a development umbrella body in the Northern Region district— said with the foundations of the country’s economy shaken to the core on the back of poor agricultural output and tattered public finances that have stifled entrepreneurship, businesses are banking their hopes and dreams in the nascent, but promising oil and gas industry.
Manda said they have been discussing how communities will work with the companies to operate in the area as apart from corporate social responsibility activities, business people in Karonga were also looking forward to working with the companies in a number of areas through partnerships and synergy.
Some of the government officers from different departments gathered outside the newly built Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe (C) Stanley Makuti[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_103324" align="alignright" width="600"]
The newly built Bingu National Stadium as seen from outside (C) Stanley Makuti[/caption]
Chief sports officer responsible for infrastructure in the ministry of youth development and sports Joseph Kayamba, Wednesday said this after the ministry officials conducted a special tour at the stadium for the government departments representatives to appreciate the new Bingu National stadium in Lilongwe, which has a space to hold capacity of 41, 100 people.
“We organized this function for these officials to appreciate the features of the new stadium and at the same time for them to take note of any shortfall that may be there so that these defects could be recommended to the contractor for improvement.
“We have received several positive suggestions from the government representatives which we may wish to take into account. Some officials have highlighted on the need of re-working on the VVIP stand and improve on its current design. For example, there is need to include a canopy, space and maybe even some stairways that may lead into the field,"aid Kayamba.
He further said as Bingu National stadium is unique in Malawi, the function today has been of great importance as it has encouraged the ministry to move forward.
Some of the government departments that were represented are the department of Public Events, the Office of the President and Cabinet, State House, Ministry of Information, the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Defense Forces. -Mana
Manondo coming out of court -Photo by Mphatso Nkhoma, Nyasa Times[/caption]
Manondo, who was responding to a question from Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachale, rejected claims by Lutepo that he denied to implicate Kasambara because he said he was ready to die to save him as a good friend.
He rebutted the statement as a fabrication by Lutepo, stating no person is worth dying for save Jesus Christ who died for us all to pay for human sins.
"I put it to you that you refuse to implicate the third accused [Kasambara because you were ready to die for as you reportedly told Mr Lutepo," Kachale quizzed Manondo.
In response, Manondo said: “My lord that's t a lie, I can’t die for Mr Kasambara, infact no one died for his friend save Jesus Christ who died for us all.”
Manondo also told the court that no one knows Lutepo much better than him, hinting that he is not credible and indeed a hostile witness.
He said it is sad that the State trust Lutepo and is their witness in some cases when he is not someone they can rely on as keep changing statements based on circumstances at that time.
Manondo, who most of time could be seen laughing during cross examination, also told the state never to trust Mphwiyo as he is also unreliable witness.
“I’m surprised that up to date you still trust Paul (Mphwiyo). Let me warn you here that if you still trust him, one day you shall wake up with crosses on your faces," he told the court
When he was asked to repeat the statement and explain what he meant by that, Manondo repeated and told the court that he knows the gun-shot survivor very well and that as he was forced to make his statement in affidavits deposited to court and if he is asked to do the same in court, they will be shocked as he will refuse some of the facts he said.
Tempers also flared when Kachale asked Manondo if he was afraid to implicate Kasambara as he was afraid of him being the Attorney General and Minister of Justice at that time.
Before Manondo responded, Kasambara stood up and raised an objection, saying the DPP was wrong as o the time she was referring to he was not Attorney General of the country but only the minister and Anthony Kamanga was the Attorney General.
He also schooled Kachale to stop pointing fingers at him when speaking or referring a question relating to him as that is not allowed in court and every learned lawyer was taught that in school, saying if she has forgotten then he was prepared to borrow her the book for her refresher.
But Kachale though she refused to have directly meant pointed at him, apologised and acknowledged to the court that indeed she learned that and told the court that that the senior counsel (Kasambara) was also his university lecturer in law.
The case continues for defence with the state set to finish its cross examination on events surrounding 13th September, 2013 shooting before Manondo witnesses start to testify in court.
Mtambo: Child sex exploitation unacceptable[/caption]
It was reported that Gonani had been subjected to a homophobic beating in Lilongwe by some unknown assailants. However, an investigation by the two organizations reveals that contrary to the media reports, Gonani was not beaten because of his sexual orientation; rather he was beaten by some members of the Lilongwe gay community for offering his nephew for prostitution.
“CHRR and CEDEP would like to emphasise that the alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of the child in Gonani’s care is an extremely serious and worrisome accusation and it is crucial that this case is thoroughly and urgently investigated by relevant authorities”, reads a statement co-signed by the directors of the two institutions, Timothy Mtambo and Gift Trapence.
“Much as we are interested in the promotion of equal rights and social justice in Malawi, we at CHRR and CEDEP do not condone any sexual abuse of children. This is why we are calling for Mr. Gomani to be promptly investigated and, if it is established that he indeed sexually exploited the child, he must be prosecuted. Sexual abuse of children is not only illegal in this country but is also unacceptable and should not be condoned or go unpunished.”
The two organizations say that “sexual abuse of children is not only illegal in this country but is also unacceptable and should, therefore, not be condoned or go unpunished.”
CHRR and CEDEP, however, clarify that sexual abuse of children has nothing to do with gay rights.
“Gay rights concern consensual sex between adults. In other words, none of the people involved are below the legal age for having sex, and all of them agree to what they are doing. Forced sex (rape) and sex with children (defilement) both violate the sexual rights of the victim, whether the perpetrator is of the same or opposite sex as the victim,” reads the statement.
Furthermore, the organizations urge the Malawi society to do more to protect children from sexual abuse by adults, arguing that sexual abuse of children “is a sickness that still clings to our society like a malignant cancer despite widespread campaigns to end the practice.”
“Almost every day there are reports in the media of children being sexually abused by adults, often close relatives who are expected to give them love and protection and not to abuse them. While some of the offenders are brought to court to face legal action, the sickening reality is that many others go unpunished and continue to molest innocent children. There is no excuse for this appalling behaviour.
“As a people we must stop this sick behaviour in its tracks. It is completely unacceptable that innocent children should be turned into sex objects by shameless adults who cannot control their lust, which is why we call for stiffer penalties to be meted out to people who are found guilty of such acts.
CHRR and CEDEP then fault section 138(1) of the Penal Code, which excludes defilement of boy children, saying that this provision is one-sided and hence needs to be reviewed.
“We have said it in many different forums that the law in its current state is one-sided. While the maximum sentence for child sex abuse in the Penal Code of Malawi is a life imprisonment, the Penal Code has made the mistake of assuming that only girls can be victims of sexual abuse or defilement,” the organizations argue in their statement.
The said provision, section 138(1) of the Malawi Penal Code, reads: “Any person who unlawfully and carnally knows any girl under the age of thirteen years shall be guilty of a felony and shall be liable to imprisonment for life, with or without corporal punishment.”
According to CHRR and CEDEP, this section does not discuss the issue of sexual abuse of male children, making this country a virtual paradise for those who sexually abuse boy children.
The two organizations hope that government, and all relevant authorities, will take seriously the allegation of sexual abuse of the child in Gonani’s care.
“The law must always place the safety of children as its priority. A child who has suffered sexual abuse is robbed of their life, their dignity and all opportunities of living a “normal” life,” reads the statement.
The two organizations also appeal to the Lilongwe District Social Welfare “to consider the best interest of this child and possibly reallocate him so as to protect him from further abuse and ensure that he receives the redress to which he is entitled.”
Gonani was beaten up last weekend by fellow gay men who were trying to protect the 9-year-old boy from being sexually exploited.
While praising them for rescuing the child, CHRR and CEDEP condemn the gay men who assaulted Gonani for taking the law into their own hands, saying mob justice is illegal in Malawi.
“If anyone has reason to believe that an individual has committed a crime, we encourage that individual to report to the nearest police station or relevant authority. No one has the right to lynch or abuse any suspected criminal. Every criminal suspect has a right to fair trial in a court of competent jurisdiction as enshrined in the Malawi Constitution,” say the two organizations.
Same-sex practices are illegal in Malawi under the Penal Code sections 153, 156, and 137A.
However, activists say these laws should be repealed because they fuel homophobia, they are against international human rights treaties to which Malawi is party to and above all they are unconstitutional, a stance opposed by a majority of Malawians.
Kasambara with sympathisers during an
Lucy winners receive their prizes[/caption]
The promotion which will end on March 30, aims at rewarding customers who buy fuel at Super Sink investment Mponela Puma Energy service center.
Super Sink Sales Executive Officer Enock Chinthoche said the company decided to come up the promotion as a tocken of appreciation to their customers who have been with them through thick and thin.
"Most of our customers are from the rural areas which are mostly into maize mill businesses or those operating shops and mostly use generators for electricity. These are the people who have moved and grown with us all along until this stage. We had no any other means of saying thank you than coming up with this promotion," he said.
To enter into the promotion, customers are supposed to buy petrol worth K20000, disiel worth K30000 and lub at K30000.
Already, a lot of people have won various prices through draws that are conducted every fortnight like tablet phones, 5 litres of vehicle oil, T-shirts and caps among others.
At the end of the promotion, some very lucky customers will win Plasma TV screens and a grand prize of a brand-new tricycle.
One of the customers who won a tablet phone Gift Malewa was all smiles saying the promotion has enabled him into the world of technology.
"Having a smart phone was a dream for me as nowadays a lot of people have easy access to some information and businessmen like us are using the social media as a marketing platform," said Malewa who have a shop in at Mponela trading center.
Super Sink investments is also into public transport with intercity buses operating in the country.
John Banda[/caption]
However, Blue Eagles have advised Desportivo to wait “untilafter his current trials,” according to club vice-general secretary Benjamin Msowoya.
Msowoya said Desportivo have shown “serious interest” on Banda who also underwent trials at Jomo Cosmos but failed to get a contract merely on Premier Soccer League (PSL) side’s exhausting their foreign quota.
According to James Pondamale who is an agent in the deal, Ferroviaro who fromm 1993 to 2002, President of Mozambique Filipe Nhussi, served as president of the club, are offering to sign the Malawian midfielder on a year-long loan deal for K800 000 tax-free monthly salary.
The deal also offers a free flat, insurance cover, return air tickets for holidays and a game bonus of between $100 (K75 000) and $300 (K225 300) depending on significance of a game.
Pondamale said Banda has “an outright contract” waiting for his signature.
Alliance One MD washing hands after planting trees at Mpale Estate in Dowa[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_103366" align="alignright" width="600"]
Trees planted ready for Chigafa Chamoyo[/caption]
Speaking in Dowa at Mpale Estate, during a tree planting exercise, Alliance One Managing Director, Hugh Saunders, encouraged farmers to use live barn so that farmers cannot be cutting down trees to use in curing tobacco.
"Every year the farmer has to elect the shades for curing so the live barn is there for a life it is not there for period that is why we are encouraging our farmers to use this type of shades," said Saunders.
In Chigafa Chamoyo, farmers are encouraged to plant Molinga, Cassius, and other varieties of trees in line where after the trees are grown up Chigafa is elected for use.
The MD said he was happy to report that Alliance One is committed in waging war against climate change by among other measures planting more trees.
"There is massive need within the country for massive reforestation and our plea is that greater attention is given to protecting water catchments nationally in a similar way that we guard our graveyards by ensuring trees are planted and the areas are protected," said Saunders.
Saunders disclosed that Alliance One has planted 7,332, 500 tree seedlings on 2, 465 hectares on government plantations, Alliance once commercial farms and in small holder farms.
"From 2011 to date a total of 25,838,269 trees have been planted on 9,765 hectares with more than 85 Percent survival and the figures have been audited by independent assessors on annual basis," said Saunders.
Commenting on the Chigafa Chamoyo project, Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Albert Changaya, commended Alliance One for promoting the use of the live barn in curing tobacco.
Changaya said the project will go a long way in reducing deforestation in the country.
"Deforestation remains a big problem in the Tobacco industry but with the coming of live barn technology deforestation will be the issue of the past," said Changaya.
Meanwhile, Tobacco Association of Malawi (TAMA) President, Ruben Maigwa, says media should play critical role in sensitizing the general public on the importance of reforestation and the use of
Chigafa Chamoyo.
As a long term solution Saunders is urging Malawians to slow down in producing babies saying the impact of high population is high on forestry.
"As of 1 January 2016, the population of Malawi was estimated to be 17, 738, 638 people. This is an increase of 2,76 % compared to population 17, 261, 736 the year before, these statistics clearly
reflect an urgent need to manage population increases in order to create more viable and sustainable reforestation in the country," said Saunders.
Lets do this: Major 1 Bushiri in maize donation exercise[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_103369" align="alignright" width="600"]
A bag of maize each to 3,000 households[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_103370" align="alignright" width="600"]
Bushiri helps an old woman carry her maize bag he donated[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_103372" align="alignright" width="600"]
Crowds listening to Prophet Bushiri at Nathenje[/caption]
South Africa-based Bushiri who started his a maize donation in Zomba, said he will continue to help Malawi in his global humanitarian and philanthropic activities, stressing 'charity begins at home'.
“I had come here to make maize donation to about 3 000 households but am overwhelmed by the crowds. Over 3,000 households who have failed to get the bag of maize will receive cash to be able to buy rice,” said Bushiri to cheering crowds.
Bushiri’s team of “evangelists” from Prophetic TV were seen distributing the money to those who failed to get the maize.
The spokesman of the Prophet, Kelvin Sulungwe told Nyasa Times that the ‘Major 1’ pumped about K85 million in the exercise.
About 2.8 million people are grappling hunger in Malawi due to poor harvest caused by the El nino weather pattern.
Floods and drought have hit the country’s staple maize crop resulting to poor harvest in the region.
Malawi is said to be the hardest hit country affected by the prolonged dry spells in southern Africa further revealing the country’s inability to tackle food shortages, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
Bushiri said it is the responsibility of every Malawian to help the people facing hunger in the country, saying the government alone cannot reach out to them.
“As Prophet Bushiri, I understand the responsibilities of the citizen,' he said.
The Major 1 added: 'As Malawians, we are supposed to work with the government of the day to help the needy. I, being a religious and Christian leader, I am an example to my community and what I am doing here is what I preach in the church.
'This should serve as a message to everyone that let us do this work, let us help the needy and those who are suffering,” he said.
Bushiri, who was also previously involved in similar charity works last month, said he will return in the country soon to help flood victims in Karonga.
Third Eye performing at one of his previous shows in Malawi[/caption]
The song “I AM” released on 9 February, was done by American rapper Awkword and it features nine artists from four continents including: ModeNine (Nigeria), Wakazi (Tanzania), Holstar (Zambia), The Assembly (South Africa) and Third Eye (Malawi).
Reacting to the news via Facebook, on Friday Third Eye wrote, “Proud to represent Malawi on a global song both MTV Base and The Source Magazine have already written articles about. Truly, truly I say unto you, some of my life long dreams are coming true.”
In an interview with Nyasa Times on Saturday, Third Eye said through the collaborative song he expects bigger doors to open.
“I don’t do collabos expecting anything except that bigger doors will open. I’m surrounded by legends on that song and these days I’ve been feeling like one too. So yeah, it’s all good,” Third Eye disclosed.
Commenting on recent articles that have been published on well known international entertainment news outlets like MTV Base and HipHopDX, the Malawian rapper explained, “I have always had a great relationship with MTV Base since my days living in Nairobi so I’m really happy that they shed more light on my brother Awkword’s efforts to use hip hop for a higher effort.”
In the song, Third Eye is heard rapping, “The warm heart of Africa, there's never no war/But then we fight against the odds just to even the score/But in Malawi what's war, is adding up all these votes/For these fat politicians never knowing the score...
“…The floods are coming up, because the rain is going down/Thought I was coming up, until the floods came around/Malawi's named after a flame, so just imagine/A flame standing over the flood, and then he drown.”
According to Awkword, “I AM” features 9 emcee sharing truths about their lives in their respective home countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the United States.
“The song will appear on my 2016 EP “Mid-Flight”. All proceeds from the sale of the song will go towards financing the production of its music video so that all the artists featured can truly show who they are and where they’re from,” He said on his Bandcamp page.
Awkword connected with Nigerian born Canadian producer, Teck-Zilla, Nigerian songstress Maka and French DJ J Hart to recruit an all-star cast of emcees to join him on the “I AM” global posse cut.
Apart from the African artists, other artists featured on the song are Latasha Alcindor (USA) and Five Steez (Jamaica).
Listen and buy the song here