GUEST WRITER : Demetria Herman Banda (Writer & Constable)  Qualification- Degree in Journalism. “Why me?! Why!” A scream echoed in all directions of the neighbourhood. People wondered, babies cried, birds ran.  “Who could that be?” asked Mrs Bulea. Nobody dared to recognise my voice. It was a voice of a heart broken woman. A voice of sadness. It expressed hatred. In no time the voice came through the walls again. It was me, the respected single lady. I couldn’t help it but rent in sadness’ peace less house. Mrs Bulea, the neighbourhood’s all time gossiper, made a good guess of my voice. Thanks to her eardrums. “That must be Delia,” she guessed to fellow women who were having a women gathering. No answer came past any woman’s mouth. “Am sure of it,” Mrs Bulea backed her guess. “Why are you suggesting that it’s my neighbour?” Mrs Mwawa wanted to know. “You know she is the only one in this neighbourhood whom life got hard on the day of every boy’s dream,” said ...

   The door was still closed and nobody knew what was happening inside the house. After knocking on the main door several times, Cheulanda the gate man stood facing the door whilst pondering the next move. It simply was not normal that neither his boss nor the house maid could hear the knock. He had been knocking on the door for thirty minutes but to no avail. The time was already past 1:30 in the afternoon, usually, he would have finished his lunch by this time. He had to act fast as he was famished.  The two had not come out of the house since the previous evening when they had gone to sleep. They always wake up at around 7 am every day except on weekends. Even Brown did not go to work that day, a thing which worried Cheulanda. “What has happened to these people? Why are they not opening the door?” wondered Cheulanda.   Suddenly, he had an idea to break the door. He then quickly picked a huge stone and threw it at the door. Bang! The door shook, but did not yi...

The 2024 edition of the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture, was held in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State on 16th November, with many dignitaries. PREPARATIONS Izunna Okafor, is the State Coordinator of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter) —the literary body that organizes the event — . According to him, Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture, initiated in 2016 and currently in its 9th edition, is a literary event the association annually organizes in honour and memory of Nigerian literary icon, Late Prof. Chinua Achebe, in celebration of his life, works and legacies. He added that this year’s event (as usual) held on Achebe’s birthday, November 16, 2024, at the Anambra State Central E-Library (also known as the Prof. Kenneth Dike State Central E-Library Library) in Awka.starting at 9AM prompt; with many dignitaries and participants in attendance. While revealing this year’s theme of the event as “Remembering Achebe… In a T...

GUEST WRITER-BENEDICTO WOKOMAATANI MALUNGA (Malawian author, Poet and Lecturer)  A gentle Igbo giant Bedecked with impeccable Literary credentials and accolades When you humbly walked this earth You rest quietly  In the belly of Africa You loved and defended When Joseph Conrad And Joyce Cary Dismembered its personality With intellectual jaundice Born of racial bias Stinking with distortions Springing from cultural And historical ignorance Only bigots weave into Their stories of denigration Tales calculated at putting down People whose past was no nightmare Whose history was no night of  darkness To be dreaded by its modern children To be despised by the present generation Chinua Achebe the father of African literature You are to be saluted in death Just as you were praised in life For retrieving our lost glory Through Things Fall Apart The reservoir of culture and history We can happily cherish as our own Enriched by recreation provided By a memorable wrestling match Pair...

Matilda Phiri (Author & Poet) reciting her poem to pupils at Phaloni Primary School in Phalombe The Malawi Parliament has passed the long-awaited Arts NAHEC (National Arts, Heritage, and Cultural) Bill, a landmark decision set to revitalize the country’s creative industries. This bill is expected to enhance support for various artistic talents, including literature, music, film, and other cultural expressions, marking a significant step in promoting Malawi’s rich heritage and diverse talents. As an author, I can’t wait to see the impact this will have on writing and other talents in our country. This bill will offer much-needed support to creatives, providing platforms for their work to thrive and be appreciated both locally and globally. The bill, which aims to establish a framework for nurturing and promoting the arts, has been widely supported by the creative community. With new funding opportunities and institutional backing, many expect that the next generation of Malawian art...

Guest Writer: Dr Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga (Malawian author, Poet and Academician) He knocked on the Kanjedza house door leading into the living room of his girlfriend's elder sister. He knew her as a cheerful lady. She was also very good at cultivating rapport with all those she met. In conversation, she was deliciously engaging. Needless to say that as Pangaliindu knocked her door, an air of calmness and self- assurance prevailed around him. Before coming here, he had called at the house where the retired parents of his girlfriend resided. There, he was told that Zitha his girlfriend had gone out to visit her elder sister a couple of hours ago. Since Pangaliindu was not in a hurry to go home, he decided to follow his girlfriend where she had gone although he had not alerted her that he would meet her. After all, it was purely by chance, that he was in the same town as where his lover was. Otherwise he should have been 60 kilometers away in the town where he lived and worked. ...

Athlete Emmanuel and Author Matilda at Global Total fit Day Many people think athletic activities do not help one earn a living. They also wrongly think that an athlete does not require education to succeed, but those in this career believe otherwise. Athlete EMMANUEL MAGOMBO, sheds more light on his career. Tell us more about yourself? I was born at Kadewere Village in Traditional Authority Chikumbu in Mulanje. I am the first-born in a family of three children. I lost both parents when I was in standard three, hence, I encountered a lot of challenges to earn up a living. During weekends, I concentrated on piece- work (ganyu) for survival. I did my secondary school education up to form four and complemented my sporting courses at various institutions. I am appreciative of one Peter Channon for financing my driving lessons. In 2018, 1 got married to Esmie Kaunda and we have a child, Ipianah. Who is an athlete? He/she is one who takes part in different sporting activities, In fact, there...

 Hello familys: The rate at which people die suddenly is becoming alarming.  Most of us know that we are going through a period of frustration, depression, confusion, terror, stress, etc. All of these factors increase the risk of hypertension, which also leads to heart failure or stroke, and of course, we expect sudden death, which is now common. Please, avoid being easily provoked by your children, your friends, your colleagues, superiors, subordinates, partners, husbands, and wives.   Avoid reacting aggressively.  Isolate yourself from disturbances. Avoid overthinking. When there is no money or food in the house, stay calm and collected. If this time you do not attend the wedding because of a gift that you cannot give, in nine months you will attend a baby dedication or other events. Don't borrow to buy this gift. *Don't borrow money to help people around you.  Help when you can and don't break the bank to please others.  They will always find someth...

   Sasani studios in South Africa In 2012, I was in my early 20s when I took a significant step by leaving my home country to pursue opportunities in South Africa. South Africa, a vast country offering diverse opportunities, is particularly conducive for African talents looking to kickstart careers in modeling, music production, filmmaking, acting, singing, dancing, comedy, and more. Personally, I ventured into modeling and acting. To begin in this industry, one must obtain a TPIN number for tax purposes, sign with a talent agency to access relevant connections, and pay a joining fee ranging from R300 to R500. Additionally, new entrants typically undergo photo sessions and receive training on posing and professional conduct for assignments. I signed with Posture Models and was selected to participate in the Rhythm City soap opera shoot at Sasani Studios, located in Johannesburg, South Africa. Sasani Studios, a prominent facility, houses various sets including those for Big...

                            GUEST WRITER  CHIKUMBUTSO BILLY THAWALE Chikumbutso is a Malawian young writer who writes poems, short stories and novels. He is currently a University student at Chancellor College in Zomba, Malawi.  I tried, I cried, but no one was there To hear me out, to wipe away my tears Hope was lost, I screamed through the night A lonely, desperate plea, with no one in sight It felt like a nightmare, a dark cloud that shrouded me My parents, my friends, weren't there to set me free Their absence stabbed at my patience, slowly draining my hope I tried to fight back, but couldn't cope My eyes were blackmailed, my future unclear Nothing about me seemed to matter, no one was near But then I remembered, the Son of the Almighty God Didn't leave me alone, when I was struggling to carry on Even when I felt like water, flowing away My hand was held tightly, by a love that wouldn't stray It wasn't s...