All's Quiet on the southern front

The results are in and Dr. Bingu Wa Mutharika, leader of the DPP, Democratic Progressive party) is now doing his second term as Malawi's president. He was inaugurated today in Blantyre. I live in Lilongwe so I didn't get to go and see the ceremony. Nor do I have any pictures, yet. But I am trying to get some. It was great to see so many Malawians out voting and then it was even greater to see that Malawians were so peaceful the next day. I mean I was telling someone and laughing about it when we were driving around on the streets the next day that it didn't even seem like there was an election. People were so chill. But Malawians are relatively chill anyway. I mean u had the occasional honking of the horn and wagging of the index finger (a symbol of the DPP party), but that was it. In the west, what we think about when we hear about politics in Africa is corruption, chaos and genocide. I mean we know about places like the Ivory Coast, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, DRC, Zim, etc...where you hear about detaining of opposition leaders, killings of political supporters, fighting by rebel leaders or whatever. But while it has happened in many African countries it doesn't happen in all. That's not to say that I necessarily believe Malawi's election weren't without problems. I mean the elections were free, but were they fair? It depends what your definition of fair is. One of the biggest problems is that where political parties get their money from for their campaigns is not questioned. There are no checks and balances. And secondly, the DPP had an incredible media power providing them with only positive coverage. TVM, Malawi's only tv station, and also MBC the radio broadcaster who has incredibly strong signals across the country gave the DPP a huge platform to convince the public why they should be in power. The media is a powerful tool that can always be used to sway people's decisions. Yes, there are private radio stations who provided fair coverage but their signals are not as strong as MBC's so unfortunately those who heard the bias coverage of TVM and MBC didn't have the other radio stations to balance out the messages. Some would consider the use of state media by the DPP is a form of rigging but that's not for me to decide, it's for Malawians to decide. Despite this, what we need to remember is that Malawi became a democracy in 1994. Western democracy is much older than Malawi's. They are still fresh. And I think that as time goes on, Malawians will start to demand more and more from their politicians and their media. Clearly, this election is showing that Malawi's politics is evolving. In this election, people voted based on the issues and ignored regional or tribal divisions as previously was the case. People made decisions based on not which leader came from their area but what each leader could do for them. DPP has done a great job on the economy, the Kwacha is strong, food security has improved, development is occurring and so many other things are happening under the DPP government. Yes, the government has it's problems but what government doesn't. In Canada, we still have not settled the issue with aboriginal people. We have first nations people who are suffering on reserves because of poor health care, lack of employment opportunities, clean water and social support for the family structure. In the United States, issues of racial inequality and systemic racism still persist. There are complaints of media bias in Canada and in the United States. Lack of coverage for Palestinian issues and pro-Israel coverage. So I mean no society is perfect. Without passing judgment on one society or saying how much better our democracy is then theirs lets remember that ours has a few stains as well. I commend Malawi for setting a great example to the rest of Africa. Congratulations to all Malawians for carrying out a peaceful elections!

A quick note

The pics aren't in order. the order was messed up when i uploaded them but because it takes way too long to upload pictures, I am not taking them down and putting them up again. You'll figure it out.

Malawi polling in pictures part 2

Malawi polling in pictures

I took these pictures from a friend. Because I am not Malawian I couldn't get beyond a certain point to take pictures of people voting. It appears that many people are excited about the process of voting. And even for me, someone who can't vote it was an exciting process. Now the most exciting part of all aside from people casting their ballots is finding out who the winner is. In Canada, the process of democracy is less exciting. For us it's something we consider a right. So essentially, we just vote for do we want a conservative or a liberal in power but for us (Canadians) we understand that no matter who we vote for our democracy will still stay the same. But for many Malawians and people in Africa sometimes choosing one leader over another is choosing one form of freedom over another. We take democracy for granted. We treat it as a right. But for many in Africa it's not a right it's a privilege and especially in Malawi it's something that people cherish dearly. I really learnt alot from Malawians as they went to the polls. From now on I think I will vote in every election that I can. I don't think it's right for me to take the democracy we have in Canada for granted. As we have seen in places like Kenya and Zimbabwe, democracy can easily be taken away. In any case, a friend of mine got a monitor to take pictures for them and I sought permission from him to use his pics on my blog. He said it was fine. Here is the Malawian polls in pictures. I would love to reflect on democracy and other things more but it's late here and I have to go to sleep. enjoy!

POLLING DAY

Today Malawians go to the polls to vote. Malawi is a multiparty democracy. The democracy started in 1994 after the peaceful ending of their dictatorship. It's my first time to experience an election in an African country. you know whenever you hear about elections happening in Africa you only hear about it when things go badly. let's hope that Malawi's elections run smoothly and are peaceful. I am gonna spend the day at Zodiak radio station...watching and listening how they cover the elections. In any case, I will be watching. I truly believe Malawi's elections will be peaceful and fair. the people here are amazing and I don't think they would want to see their country erupt into chaos. Everything will work out fine. I'll let you know the results when they come in. There are several parties contesting in the elections but the one's with a shot at winning are DPP, MCP, and UDF these are the three big parties. Currently, UDF has no candidate vying for president instead the Malawi Electoral Commission ruled that former president Bakili Muluzi couldn't stand for another term because he served the maximum term a candidate can serve so he formed a coalition with MCP although the two parties still haven't signed an MOU. DPP is the ruling party hoping to stay in power. DPP has made significant strides in improving the economy, human rights, and education. Although there is more to be done. Let's pray for a good outcome today.

Quarter Life Crisis, poem A

Trapped in a whirlwind
Caught in a daze
Wrapped in a strait jacket
Fighting to escape.

Running from commitment
Hoping for a man
Yearning for a baby
To start down my maternal path.

Searching for tomorrow,
But still living in today
Looking for a miracle,
please God show me the right way.

Quarter Life Crisis

Okay okay. there's one thing i really need to get off my chest. it's all this discussion about the quarter life crisis. I didn't hear about it until I spoke to a friend and when he told me what a quarter life crisis was, honestly, i gave a sigh of relief. finally a term that articulated the changes and confusion i am going through. Yes, I believe I am having a quarter life crisis. For some of you who have no idea what I am talking about essentially a quarter life crisis is basically like a mid-life crisis except well like the term said it happens in your quarter life or in your twenties. For me I can definitely say I am experiencing a quarter life crisis. I mean i packed up my life as I know it and came back to Malawi. It's a scary thing but also something exciting. I just felt I want to have meaning in my life and in my job. I really wanted to be involved in contributing to society in a positive way. And currently in the work I am engaging in in Malawi, I can say I am doing just that. Yes, I may be dealing with a bunch of challenges that if I stayed in Canada I wouldn't have had to deal with but I am also enjoying this new path I've taken...one of uncertainty and discovery. I'll take my experience for what it's worth. A chance to learn about myself and life. It's only a quarter-life crisis. The good thing about this terminology is that eventually it will end and I will be a better person for having experienced it.


Here's some characteristics typical of a quarter life crisis that i pulled off of wikipedia:

* feeling "not good enough" because one can't find a job that is at one's academic/intellectual level
* frustration with relationships, the working world, and finding a suitable job or career
* confusion of identity
* insecurity regarding the near future
* insecurity concerning long-term plans, life goals
* insecurity regarding present accomplishments
* re-evaluation of close interpersonal relationships
* disappointment with one's job
* nostalgia for university, college, high school or elementary school life
* tendency to hold stronger opinions
* boredom with social interactions
* loss of closeness to high school and college friends
* financially-rooted stress (overwhelming college loans, unanticipatedly high cost of living, etc.)
* loneliness
* desire to have children
* a sense that everyone is, somehow, doing better than you

Out and about

Okay, so I've been a bit absent from the blogosphere because I have been super duper busy. Yes super duper busy. But now I am back. Okay where was I? Besides in my own head contemplating the mysteries of life, love and the pursuit of happiness. I was actually in another city called Blantyre. It's about 4 hours from Lilongwe. It looks more like a city. It has nice buildings. Night life. Different restaurants etc...I was in Blantyre to participate in a human trafficking workshop. I was one of the facilitators. I really love being part of the workshops because I am really into the issue of human trafficking. I just think it is so unfortunate that we have this kind of issue in the 21st century. After doing a human trafficking story myself I really became passionate about doing my part in some way to help in the fight against human trafficking. So yes that's why I went to Blantyre. However while I was in Blantyre I ventured out to a chinese restaurant, then went to a bar. Then...what!...caught a cold. the weather down there was cold. Yes, I know I am from Canada, yes the place with the snow and ice but despite my Canadian blood, I HATE THE COLD! I get cold so easily. man if a little breeze blows across my bare arms I have goosebumps automatically pop up on my arms. I mean seriously there's nothing I can do. So curently I am nursing my illness with lots of tea, bread and sudafed. hey that rhymes. I have included a pic of myself. this was me at the chinese restaurant. Enjoy!

Current Projects

WAPI. May 30. one word. exciting. come back later to find out more.

Response to the last post

So that was my first time ever sharing my poetry to someone or anyone else. Not as scary as I thought it would be. And in any case it now seems like I've turned into one of those people. You know the ones who bear their entire soul in their blog. Man I used to clown these kinds of people. And now I've made my blog into my personal diary. Funny. However, it feels surprisingly good to express my feelings in cyberspace. Till next time.

A million little pieces

I remember the days when we were inseparable.
To the mall, to the park, on the phone, after dark
I remember those days in high school,
Chatting on the SAC steps about how much we meant to each other.
You were my other half. Wherever you went. I followed.
Wherever I went. You followed.
When people were looking for you they called me,
And when people were looking for me, they called you.
What I wouldn’t give to go back to those days,
Hugging and kissing, and loving in our own world.
But then we grew up. Time moved on.
Life got in the way of a bond so strong.
Now there’s nothing left, but sadness and despair.
Now there’s nothing left, and my broken heart is beyond repair.
I wonder, will there ever be another who will touch me deep in my soul?
Will there ever be another to drag me out of this dark hole?
We were suppose to be together forever,
But now it’s all f***** up.

The Problem with the mini buses

So after nine months in Malawi, I can say that the enjoyment of the minibus has finally worn off. Yes, at first I thought it was exciting because it was new and different. When I first rode the mini bus I was like this is great. unlike the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) the mini bus drivers stop and wait for you. Man TTC drivers will see you sprinting for the bus, they know that you're obviously late for work or some appointment and they look you dead in your eyes and drive off. Whereas the mini-bus driver stops where you want them to stop. Yes, if you're walking to the stage, no matter how far away, if the conductor sees you, he stops the bus and then gets the drive to reverse, yes believe it or not Torontonians, reverse the bus to pick you up. Like a TTC driver would ever do that. Also mini-buses go most places and if not there is a matola or u just walk. TTC only goes certain places, it's expensive and if you miss the bus and it's on a route that doesn't have many buses then your screwed. But like I said with mini buses their novelty has worn off for me. I hate when you have to wait like 20 minutes for the bus to fill up. Or if the bus isn't filled when it leaves the stage, the mini bus takes all kinds of different routes to find passengers and this is especially stressful for someone who doesn't speak chichewa because you have no idea what the bus is doing/where it's going because you have no idea what the conductor is saying. I continue waiting and then I always turn to the person next to me, hope they speak english and ask them what the conductor is saying. Honestly when those things happen I am just sitting back and praying that I get to my destination. My newest example of why I am getting annoyed with the minibus has to do with long distance traveling. Today I was traveling home from Mangochi, it's a district in southern Malawi and it's around 4 hours by public transport. I was in Mangochi to do research for a documentary production I am hoping to eventually get funding for. Well, first of all it took me more than five hours to get back home to Lilongwe, which is a district in the central region. So that was annoying. Secondly, most of the minibuses are not made for tall people. Many people in Malawi are short so for someone like me who's 5'8 riding a minibus long distances can be hard. Today, my leg was cramped so badly I honestly thought I was going to die. I lost feeling in my left leg, my left bum cheek fell asleep as well and then my right leg was in a lot of pain. Now what I do admire about the minibus is that the conductors are able to pack so many people and things into the bus. 10 suitcases, a goat, 20 people, chickens, 5 bags of maize...imagine into a tiny 14 seater minibus. I think if the minibus' renovated and made the space between the seats just a bit bigger along with the headroom I would have no problem riding them. But because the ride was so uncomfortable today, once I got off the minibus I immediately hopped into a cab to get home. I think I am going to invest in a bicycle so I can start riding to work rather than dealing with uncomfortable minibus rides. Maybe I can even invest in a motorbike...how cool would that be?