Opinions | Observations | Stuff
A powerful statute of an African freedom fighter has been short-listed for Trafalgar Square’s fourth plinth. The artwork Antelope by Malawi-born artist, author and academic Professor Samson Kambalu features John Chilembwe, who lead a rebellion in 1915 against colonialists, and is recognised today as one of Malawi’s most important historical figures. Here’s an extract about […]
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I spent a very pleasant hour this morning recording an interview for Radio Africana with one of their top presenters Allan Mankind Banda for his Saturday show (5pm start). My good friend Yonah Mtemba joined me to talk about my book The Spirit of Malawi, which is available at all good online booksellers, including Amazon. […]
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I have a confession to make. I have a bad dose of COVID vaccine envy. Sitting here on my grey sofa, my permanent perch since 23 March 2020, I get a sinking feeling every time I log on to social media. Friends younger than me, but who live in more rural parts of Scotland – […]
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Just as Scotland is much more than bearded men in kilts playing the bagpipes against the backdrop of a Highland loch, so Malawi is far more complex than the stereotypical images beloved of well-meaning charities.
Read More…JK Rowling’s handprints outside the City Chambers are cleaned after they were covered with red paint (Picture: Lisa Ferguson) This article was first published in The Scotsman on 1st August 2020. We are all familiar with the old adage, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” I recited it […]
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Malawi musician Lazarus may now call Madonna a friend, and is hopeful that his film will be nominated for an Oscar – “I am heading to LA next month,” he says – but he still lives in fear of his life.
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Burton Chirwa leaned forward, eyes ablaze. “You have to read, read a lot, before you can write.” He sat back a little. “I read a lot, and I write. So far, I have written five short stories. So that is my advice to anyone who wants to be a writer. Read a lot.” Burton is […]
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Climate change is a terrible fact of life in Malawi. Sixty people were killed earlier this year in the southern region, drowned in floods caused by unseasonable heavy rains. Thousands of families lost their homes, and tens of thousands more lost their crops, and with them their food supply and income for the year.
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“This is the first time a famous pop group from the USA has ever played in Malawi,” the MC told us earlier. It appears global rock stars are not in the habit of adding Malawi to their tour schedule, unless, of course, they are looking for an instant family to adopt.
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Earlier this year I wrote a piece arguing that Jeremy Corbyn was the wrong person to lead the Labour Party. At the start of this unexpected General Election campaign I thought Jeremy Corbyn would lead us to a terrible defeat. And at the conclusion of the poll, I still think Jeremy Corbyn is the wrong […]
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