It is not everyday that we have Malawians making headlines on the international scene for good reasons. One young man, Isaac Chilemba, has made it on top of the boxing news for winning the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) Supermiddle weight title after beating an Australian Challenger, Micheal Bolling.
The 23 year old Chilemba is a Malawian born boxer based in South Africa. He is not new on the boxing stage having won two African titles under World Boxing Council and African Boxing Union.
Though boxing is not my everyday meat, i took time to watch the bout broadcast live on SuperSport 5 simply because it involved my fellow countryman. The guy was just superb and was very confident in the ring.
The last time Chilemba won a belt, he wanted to seek an audience with the President, Prof. Bingu wa Mutharika but he was frustrated along the way. Now that he has won an international belt, i feel it is right if he is given a chance to meet the State President and show him the belts. He has done us proud.
Coming from a nation which is not always doing good in the sports area, Chilemba has written a new chapter in the history of sports in Malawi. Congratulations boy!!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
3 things am addicted to
Its 3am in Malawi and am still awake doing either of the three things i like doing. I can go on doing it until time to go to work.
I like browsing the net on my cellphone, watching a movie or reading a novel. Am seriously addicted to these three that a day cannot pass without doing one or all three.
Reading novels dates back to my secondary school days when i was introduced to african writers series and pacesetters. Now am used to read thrillers from best selling authours like; Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler, Robert Ludlum, Vince Flynn and Judith Kruntz. In fact i enjoy series with one hero like Cussler's Dirk Pitt, Clancy's Mike Rodgers and Jack Ryan.
I use every possible moment to browse on my phone. Its either am on Twitter or am reading various blogs especially Mashable. The only setback is when i don't have airtime.
I've learnt to respect time for my paid job and i don't mess up with it but internet is very tempting at times.
Working outside urban areas also works to my advantage. I go straight home to my television, novel or mobile internet when friends are going out. Am currently watching the series (for the second time) Prison Break.
These are the things that keeps me going plus following current news on TV, Newspapers and Radio.
I like browsing the net on my cellphone, watching a movie or reading a novel. Am seriously addicted to these three that a day cannot pass without doing one or all three.
Reading novels dates back to my secondary school days when i was introduced to african writers series and pacesetters. Now am used to read thrillers from best selling authours like; Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler, Robert Ludlum, Vince Flynn and Judith Kruntz. In fact i enjoy series with one hero like Cussler's Dirk Pitt, Clancy's Mike Rodgers and Jack Ryan.
I use every possible moment to browse on my phone. Its either am on Twitter or am reading various blogs especially Mashable. The only setback is when i don't have airtime.
I've learnt to respect time for my paid job and i don't mess up with it but internet is very tempting at times.
Working outside urban areas also works to my advantage. I go straight home to my television, novel or mobile internet when friends are going out. Am currently watching the series (for the second time) Prison Break.
These are the things that keeps me going plus following current news on TV, Newspapers and Radio.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Tribalism is slowly creeping in Malawi
Am proud to be a Malawian and i love everything good that has to do with my beautiful country. Despite the fact that my parents come from the northern part of Malawi, i don't like to be described as a northerner because i consider myself a Malawian first.
Am very worried at things that are being said in our beautiful country regarding certain tribes. It is very unfortunate that people have chosen to ignore the unity and closeness we have had as Malawians for a long period.
What is giving me sleepless nights is the fact that the very same leaders we trusted with guiding us, are dividing us. Church leaders, politicians and even traditional leaders are making divisive speeches, forming regional parties, and encouraging tribalism.
As someone who has travelled to many districts in Malawi, knows what it is like to live together as different tribes. I was born and raised in Blantyre, has worked with the Sena in Chikwawa and Nsanje, worked with the Chewa in Salima, Yao in Balaka, Zomba and Mangochi. I have also shared jokes with northerners in Mzimba, Rumphi and Nkhatabay. In all these cases i was treated well as a fellow Malawian. In fact there are lots of Malawians from different tribes staying together.
If people take heed of what these leaders are telling them, we are surely on our way of making a new Rwanda. They are sowing seeds of hatred that will still live on after they are gone. Just look at the comments you get on Nyasa Times. Almost every story published reader's comments end up in one tribe or region up against another. This is not good for the warm heart of Africa. The sooner we realise how deep these comments go, the sooner we will save our country and maintain the peace we enjoy.
Am very worried at things that are being said in our beautiful country regarding certain tribes. It is very unfortunate that people have chosen to ignore the unity and closeness we have had as Malawians for a long period.
What is giving me sleepless nights is the fact that the very same leaders we trusted with guiding us, are dividing us. Church leaders, politicians and even traditional leaders are making divisive speeches, forming regional parties, and encouraging tribalism.
As someone who has travelled to many districts in Malawi, knows what it is like to live together as different tribes. I was born and raised in Blantyre, has worked with the Sena in Chikwawa and Nsanje, worked with the Chewa in Salima, Yao in Balaka, Zomba and Mangochi. I have also shared jokes with northerners in Mzimba, Rumphi and Nkhatabay. In all these cases i was treated well as a fellow Malawian. In fact there are lots of Malawians from different tribes staying together.
If people take heed of what these leaders are telling them, we are surely on our way of making a new Rwanda. They are sowing seeds of hatred that will still live on after they are gone. Just look at the comments you get on Nyasa Times. Almost every story published reader's comments end up in one tribe or region up against another. This is not good for the warm heart of Africa. The sooner we realise how deep these comments go, the sooner we will save our country and maintain the peace we enjoy.
Friday, June 11, 2010
World Cup on Twitter
One of the things that makes the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup unique is the impact it is making in the social media. You can follow whatever is happening in South Africa on Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare or You Tube.
It is the first World Cup to be played since Twitter was founded late 2006. With only one game played, news about the cup has made it to the top of the trending topics.
On the eve of the World Cup, i followed most of the Kickoff concert's proceedings through various Twitter handles including Shakira and Knaan's who updated their statuses prior to their performance. Shakira even posted backstage pictures on Twitpic.
Apart from the normal football we will watch on the pitch, we will learn alot of things happening in camps faster than the traditional way of reporting. Several players including Kaka and Christian Ronaldo have accounts on Twitter. Ronaldo recently sent a picture of him and Mandela when the Portuguese team went to visit him (Mandela). The USA team has 10 players, out of the 23, with accounts on Twitter.
Twitter has since created a special world cup portal to give people a chance to follow the trending topics using their countries hashtags. Google has also teamed up with FIFA to give fans fast access on results and news of the world cup on the largest search engine. They are also using Google Maps to help fans find their way around South Africa. You can find detailed directions to restraunts, accomodation or any important places.
As a passionate follower and user of the social media, am very excited with all this. The only drawback is Twitter's capacity to handle the traffic. Wonder what will happen to Twitter when England plays USA. History is seriously being made and there is no better place to make it than in Africa.
It is the first World Cup to be played since Twitter was founded late 2006. With only one game played, news about the cup has made it to the top of the trending topics.
On the eve of the World Cup, i followed most of the Kickoff concert's proceedings through various Twitter handles including Shakira and Knaan's who updated their statuses prior to their performance. Shakira even posted backstage pictures on Twitpic.
Apart from the normal football we will watch on the pitch, we will learn alot of things happening in camps faster than the traditional way of reporting. Several players including Kaka and Christian Ronaldo have accounts on Twitter. Ronaldo recently sent a picture of him and Mandela when the Portuguese team went to visit him (Mandela). The USA team has 10 players, out of the 23, with accounts on Twitter.
Twitter has since created a special world cup portal to give people a chance to follow the trending topics using their countries hashtags. Google has also teamed up with FIFA to give fans fast access on results and news of the world cup on the largest search engine. They are also using Google Maps to help fans find their way around South Africa. You can find detailed directions to restraunts, accomodation or any important places.
As a passionate follower and user of the social media, am very excited with all this. The only drawback is Twitter's capacity to handle the traffic. Wonder what will happen to Twitter when England plays USA. History is seriously being made and there is no better place to make it than in Africa.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
WORLD CUP FEVER GRIPS OUR CHURCH
With the 2010 FIFA World Cup being hosted in African soil for the first time, my church refuses to be left behind. St James C.C.A.P Church fundraising committe has arranged to show all the 64 games live and on a big screen.
This fundraising event will see members and other patrons parting ways with MK150 for the games played in the afternoon while those played in the evening will attract MK350. Drinks and snacks will also be available.
This will give chance to the many church members who love football to watch the games with their families. All along people have been watching the Premier and Champion League games in drinking joints and other secular entertainment places due to lack of christian centred places.
The church's youth centre popularly known as the Vision Centre, has been specifically prepared to accomodate lots of people.
Zodiak Radio has also organised to show the games freely to the rural masses on big screens.
This fundraising event will see members and other patrons parting ways with MK150 for the games played in the afternoon while those played in the evening will attract MK350. Drinks and snacks will also be available.
This will give chance to the many church members who love football to watch the games with their families. All along people have been watching the Premier and Champion League games in drinking joints and other secular entertainment places due to lack of christian centred places.
The church's youth centre popularly known as the Vision Centre, has been specifically prepared to accomodate lots of people.
Zodiak Radio has also organised to show the games freely to the rural masses on big screens.
Labels:
christian,
church,
football,
South Africa,
Worldcup
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