Food For Thought

Kennedy Chanda stumbled back home, reeking of something that could only be combination of Kachasu, Chibuku and tujilijili. He was humming a beat of Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal only that he would become inaudible when singing the vocals. Whatever he remembered in his grey matter, he burst out laughing in the midst of the song. 

His brain brain was clearly multitasking as it also needed to coordinate and balance the walking despite the alcohol affects on the cerebellum. Sometimes he would stand still for what seemed like days, swaying from side to side like a reed in the Kafue River, as he waited for the brain to reconfigure the movements and the tempo in his steps. 

It was clear he had a great time out with friends: drinking, clowning and jiving. 

When he reached home, his wife, greeted him with a warm smile and a steaming hot plate of nshima, Zambia's most sacred dish. He devoured the meal like he was about to die, savoring every bite. Especially the flavorful relish made from dried pumpkin leaves and what he thought was small fresh fish.

"Ah, you've outdone yourself, my dear!" Mr. Chanda exclaimed amidst his gulps of water as he washed down the meal.

"This relish is just like my mother used to make on the shore of Lake Mweru in Kashikishi. You've added the perfect touch with the small fresh fish!"

Mrs. Chanda's expression which started with smiles changed to confusion. 

"Small fish? I don't remember adding any fish to the relish. I only recall using pumpkin leaves and small pumpkins."

She de-strung a pile of pumpkin leaves, and cook them by simmering them with small tomatoes just for a few minutes until the leaves are tender and sumptuous. 

At least that’s what she remembered doing.

As they stood in stunned silence, the sound of crickets and the creaking of the old house seemed to provide a soundtrack to the suspense.

The couple exchanged skeptical glances. Mr. Chanda insisted he had tasted fish, while Mrs. Chanda swore she hadn't added any. 

Determined to resolve the dispute, Mrs Chanda rummaged through the house for some papers, pushed them on the fire which was almost going out, too a deep breath and blew it out on the papers that were now smoldering. 

Once lit, she carefully approached the pot, now empty except for a few lingering leaves. Peered inside whilst tilting it at about 45 degrees so that Mr Chanda can also see what was in the pot.

They gasped simultaneously.

Mr. Chanda shrieked. Huffed. Puffed. Covered his mouth. 

He felt the entire booze leaving his body instantly. "Oh no, I’ve just eaten a lizard!"

The small fresh fish was, in fact, a lizard – cooked to perfection – that had fallen into the pot from the eaves of their grass-thatched house. With his his inebriated antics now dissipated, Mr Chanda's thoughts were on the food he had just eaten.

Religion Matter

Out of boredom, I recently found myself watching a documentary titled “What Is A Woman” by Matt Welsh. If the content of this film has any truth to it, then civilization is hurtling towards a self-destructive trajectory. I urge you to watch it and draw your own conclusions. For me, this all stems from efforts to remove religion from the significant role it has played since the dawn of time.

You see, many people derive their sense of control and motivation from external sources. Fear of the law, societal judgment, or family opinions often dictate their behaviors and belief systems. Left unchecked, our inherent nature can manifest negatively. This is where religion plays a crucial role in taming our primal instincts and encouraging humane behaviour. 

Unfortunately, many individuals require the threat of eternal punishment to act with compassion, decency and integrity. This dependence on external controls highlights a sobering reality: without these constraints, the average person may struggle to demonstrate truly humane qualities.

Throughout recorded history, religion has played a vital role in every major, sustainable civilization. Most people have relied on the guiding principles religion provides. Interestingly, some individuals now turn to "science" as a substitute, yet struggle to define fundamental aspects of humanity like what a woman is. Organized religion, especially when taken literally, may seem illogical or even exploitative, particularly to skeptical minds. However, its primary function isn't to explain the universe or creation. Instead, religion serves as a moral framework to prevent unchecked human free will from descending into self-destructive behavior.

While other human laws address criminal acts, they often fall short in navigating moral gray areas due to political correctness. This is where religion steps in, providing essential guidance. The collapse of religious influence typically leads to societal implosion, highlighting the crucial role it plays in maintaining social cohesion and moral stability.

I shudder to think of the world which will bequeath to our children. So if you have beef with religion, do not - I repeat - do not pass on that beef to your kids. Introduce religion to your kids, they have more to gain than lose once they are from that position.

I will conclude by stating what should be the obvious. These so-called "free thinkers" are merely attempting to swing the ideological pendulum from the far right to the far left. This shift seems retaliatory, and religion is collateral damage. I wish that the proponents and constructors of the new definitions of gender and sexuality would listen to and analyze perspectives that do not align with their narrative. I hope they stop shifting the burden of proof and labeling the request for due diligence as harassment. 

Ancient Greece thrived as the center of civilization because they allowed debates in the Agora and Pnyx. These debates were not just about winning arguments; they were about fostering a well-informed and engaged citizenry for collective decision-making.

Luck, Privilege and Limits of Hard Work

With a global value of $41.2 billion as at the end of 2023, the self-help industry marshaled by motivational speakers and bestselling authors, often peddles a very simplistic formula for success: work hard, stay focused, and believe in yourself. While these principles are essential, they overlook the most important factors that significantly influence an individual's potential for success like privilege and systemic inequalities. The lady who wakes up at 4:00 AM to go to Soweto Market to order vegetables for her corner stand doesn't need to read the 5AM Club to boost her mental focus and reach peak performance. The bus driver and conductor who wake up even earlier to pick her up with other passengers, do not need to read 48 Laws of Power. The vegetable farmer who despite the drought still travels all night from Shimabala to reach Soweto Market early enough for the vegetable lady does not need to read Who Moved My Cheese. The farm worker who picks vegetables to take kids to school and cater for her livelihood doesn't need to read Rich Dad Poor Dad. Privileged people wrote these books and they often claim that poor people are poor because they do not work hard or/and aren't smart enough. They overlook the immense effort and dedication that many individuals put into their daily lives just to make ends meet and exist. 

The reality is that success is not a linear journey, but depends on a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors usually outside a person’s control. Nothing in life is liner because our existence and success is contingent of how the ecosystem react and support our journeys. For instance, a person born into a low-income household may need both hard work and a kiss from Tyche (Greek mythology) or Fortuna (Latin) or Lady Luck in accessing quality education, healthcare, and opportunities. In this article, I acknowledge what I term the social determinants of success.

One's background and the surname they carry plays a significant role in determining their chances of success. We are all too familiar with the concept of powerful and influential names in Zambia. There are names which are found in every sector and everyone knows them. Unfortunately, I cannot help the uninitiated and list these names here because I cannot afford neither a lawyer or food whilst in police cells. But having those name alone opens doors and gives you access to opportunities. And that group has subsets made of those that benefited from post-independence politics and loyalty; those born into royalty, and; those who benefited from the privatization program that happened in the 1990s. The newest new money group got its money between 2011 and 2021. And since life isn’t a movie and wealth doesn’t have the emotions of humans, all these families have created a great generational wealth, education standards and family values that are still standing today. These are names that have controlled pretty much everything in Zambia since Independence. A familial backdrop, thus can either provide a springboard or create obstacles to overcome. Working hard doesn’t sort out this problem.

The second issue is the enabling environment. The ecosystem or environment surrounding an individual can either foster or hinder their growth. While working in the Pondo area of Chama district, I encountered a boy (let’s call him John Doe) who had been in Grade 7 for 4 consecutive years. This wasn't due to a lack of nearby secondary schools; in fact, Chikwa Boarding School was only about 10 to 20 kilometers away. However, his family lacked the resources to send him there. What made his situation particularly heartbreaking was that he was the best student in his class, consistently acing the Grade 7 exams each year.  Still in Chama and now in Sitwe of Chief Kambombo, a young boy who was a community school teacher and grade 4 girl (let’s call her Jane Doe) who was his student decided to elope. When asked why they did that, the girl boldly stated that she is the one who initiated the relationship because she wanted to be respected in the community as a ‘Mrs Teacher’ and she felt she was to dull to be in school. Now, both Jane and John were hard workers in every definition of the word. But the environments were not supportive, in fact the environments were an anchor tied to their respective ankles dragging them down the abyssal plain. Even the great escapologist Harry Houdini would find it hard to escape in such an environment. Things like access to quality community support and mentorship can provide the necessary tools and resources to help individuals thrive. Conversely, systemic barriers can stifle potential no matter how hard one works or the exuberance they exhibit.

The last but not the least thing I want to talk about is network or connections. Who you know can be just as important as what you know because in addition to doing everything already discussed above, it can enhance credibility and reputation. Motivational speakers will say building and leveraging a network requires intentional effort. But connections are influenced by factors outside one's control, such as socioeconomic status or geographic location. For instance, individuals from affluent backgrounds may have more opportunities to attend prestigious schools, join exclusive clubs, or participate in high-profile events where they can meet influential people. The digital age has introduced new dynamics to networking inequalities because digital networking still requires access to technology like a smartphone and the internet even a SoChe Bundle, which is a barrier to Zambians since 60% of us are poor.

Let me conclude by stating that when I find a motivational book or speaker who doesn’t use the oversimplified "work hard and succeed" narrative, someone who acknowledges the social determinants of success, maybe I will start listening to them. A motivational speaker who acknowledges that a person from a low-income background may face limited access to quality education, which affects their network and future opportunities. Someone that acknowledges that an individual with a disability may encounter environmental barriers, limiting their access to resources and social connections. Success is not solely the result of individual effort. No. The background, enabling environment, and connections, while not exhaustive, play a significant role in shaping our outcomes.

 

“'If wealth was the inevitable result of hard work and enterprise, every woman in Africa would be a millionaire.”

 

LUSAKA’S DIRTY SECRETS

 Climate change and the heavy rains are obviously one of the main causes of the floods in Lusaka. However, many people fail to acknowledge the role that infrastructure play in driving and worsening the situation. Some areas of the city have developed informally and lack proper structures to drain excess water. And another major issue is the management of garbage that usually end up be thrown in undesignated places and block the drainage systems. The last cholera outbreak was mainly due to poor hygiene, limited access to sanitation, and inadequate water supply.

To manage on component of hygiene, the government established the Lusaka Integrated Solid Waste Management Company (LISWMC) which has outsourced waste collection to private contractors. For the dumpsite, new equipment was invested in which eliminated queues and improved efficiency. Additionally, they purchased new skip trucks and compactors to collect waste in public areas, markets, and bus stations. However, according to the 2023 Waste Survey, Lusaka generates 1,200 tons of solid waste daily but only 55% of this waste is collected and disposed of at the Chunga Landfill, while 45% remains uncollected due to non-subscription and indiscriminate disposal.

I want to talk about the 45% issue which mainly end up in indiscriminate waste dumping by individuals and agencies. The government cannot tackle this problem alone. In the early months of the UPND administration, the local government minister attempted to relocate vendors in Lusaka due to health risks. This move was met with resistance, citing concerns over human and economic rights.

For instance, the Zesco Powerline along Tokyo Way (aka Ring Road) has been transformed into a dump site by individuals, not the government. Enforcement is necessary, but we must acknowledge that we are collectively responsible for the current unsanitary conditions. People often discard trash from their vehicles without considering who will pick it up. This situation requires collective responsibility.

Many are quick to blame the local council, but where is the responsibility of those who dump garbage indiscriminately? Why don't they use designated dumpsites? Should the council constantly explore and discover new dumping sites? While Zambians maintain personal cleanliness, environmental hygiene is often never given a thought.

I’m calling out those who prioritize appearances over responsibility. You know who you are. The well-dressed man and woman driving luxury vehicles, yet thoughtlessly littering our streets with fruit peels, bottles, plastics, and more.

I’m calling hose who boast about their education but refuse to pay for waste collection services. Instead, they recklessly dump trash in drainage ways, undeveloped areas, roads, and anywhere else they please.

And I shouldn’t forget those who mindlessly clog our sewer systems by flushing non-biodegradable items down their sinks and toilets. This group is also quick to complain about blockages but never takes responsibility of its own role in causing them. It's time to own up to our actions and take responsibility for our waste. Let's work together to keep Lusaka clean and beautiful.

We have turned drainages, roads, and other spaces into garbage dumps. Businesses operate without providing toilets and clean water sources. We need to recognize that environmental hygiene is as important – if not more important – as personal hygiene. Did you know that one person generates 16kg of waste per month and for a family 5 members that translates into 80Kg? How of us can account for how their waste is collected and disposed of?

In conclusion, waste management prevents spread of cholera and other diseases. I know that everyone agrees that unless serious attention is given to the matter of environmental hygiene, we risk having another cholera outbreak. But anticipating problems is not enough, it is the proactivity taken to mitigate them that truly matter. The Bible presents a classic example of Noah who didn't just predict the flood but also built an ark to ensure survival for him and his family. Similarly, having knowledge of an impending public health crisis but continuing to disregard waste management is tantamount to dereliction of duty and a betrayal of humanity's trust.

Trust? Yes, We Must.

Trust is like the air we breathe. When it's present, nobody really notices. But when it's absent, everybody notices. - Warren Buffett

There is no news like good news. - Elliot Carver (In the movie Tomorrow Never Dies)

Though he was an antagonist, Elliot Carver (played by Jonathan Pryce) was highlighting the common trend to journalism today. This is that negative stories are often given more prominence in the media because they are more compelling or sensational, which drive higher engagement from audiences. Tune in to any radio station (especially radio stations) during morning or evening shows, the journalistic and societal approach is usually to focus on the negative aspects of events, people, or situations. Even trivialities like mis-pronunciation of a certain word would take the entire show just being discussed.

In a world where negative news and stories of mistrust dominate the headlines, it’s easy to overlook that social interactions are the fundamental component that makes humanity. Our human existence is buttressed on trust. It’s the chain that holds our relationships and communities together and its ubiquitous influence is everywhere. This is despite the ills that plague our world today

The truth is, the few bad apples and unfortunate events tend to receive more attention, getting amplified and perpetuated through media and social platforms. Meanwhile, the countless acts of trust that happen daily go unnoticed. And if there are talked about, it is usually in a sotto voice. It’s helpful and healthy to shift our focus and acknowledge the inherent goodness of humanity. Society usually find itself in dire straits not because of bad things, but also because good people who do nothing.

As social beings, we rely on trust to navigate everyday life and most of these interactions are mundane. But they demonstrate the depth of our trust in one another. Taka a child, for instance? S/he will be all smiling when being thrown in the air (commonly called baby tossing) because they know that you will catch them when gravity starts pulling. They are only going to develop fear of that if someone drops them. A lot of us have helped or given a lift to total strangers even at night until someone tried to take advantage of us. Mistrust is like hate, they are both taught emotions. People's natural disposition are trust and love, until we break them. 

Consider these examples:

• When we board a bus, train, or plane, we entrust our lives to the driver or pilot, despite being strangers. This is why many of us feel comfortable enough to sleep once our rides are in motion. We are quick to join in the hum of conversation or ask someone to hold your things during the gentle sway as the vehicle moves
• At the dentist’s office, we willingly allow them to put us under anesthesia, trusting them to be professional and not make mistakes that could harm us.
• In our communities, we trust local businesses to provide quality goods and services.
• The coronavirus pandemic exposed how much interdependent society really is. We learnt that the many essential workers, who are crucial to the normal functioning of society, are actually the usually lowly paid among us. The grocery workers, police officers, nurses, and even the lady selling vegetables on the corner. These people kept things moving while the privileged stayed home. Trust in their dedication allowed us to weather the storm.

These instances illustrate the intricate web of trust that underlies human society. That’s not being naïve, but just being human. Like any normal distribution curve, there are outliers. But bad should be allowed to prevail. We must recognize and appreciate trust which ultimately fosters a more compassionate and cooperative world. It’s a self-reinforcing process. Warren Buffett's wisdom encapsulates it perfectly: trust is the silent force that underpins our lives. We often take it for granted, but its absence reverberates loudly through fractured relationships and broken bonds.

As I conclude dear reader, know that trust is the unsung hero of humanity. It’s the foundation upon which we build our relationships, communities, and societies. Let us be bolds and actively cultivate trust whether by expressing gratitude, volunteering, or simply being more open to trusting others. By acknowledging and nurturing this trust, we can create a world where cooperation, mutual support, and social interaction thrive.

Civil Service Woes: The Curious Case of Mulenga Chanda

It was on a cold June day at the bustling offices at Zambia's Cabinet Office, a peculiar figure emerged from the doors. No one really knew who he was or what he was there for but he seemed to know what or who he wanted. After usual formalities, introductions and onboarding, it was learnt that the man who was later known as Mulenga Chanda had just been appointed to Cabinet Office as an Assistant Director-General of the Emoluments Commission. 

Big Mule (as he was fondly called by his peers due to his larger than life personality) or Chanda Beu (named after the late famous dancer in Amayenge Asoza Cultural Ensemble by his foes due to his small stature) used to be a District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) in one of the districts and used to be very vocal against the previous administration. The then ruling political party even labeled him an enemy of the party and pushed him out of the public service when he was retired in public interest. 

Now the retiring of someone in public interest is usually triggered at the pleasure and volition of the President and in the context of Zambia, it is a tool which is susceptible to abuse as politicians use it to punish certain individuals purely for political reasons. Based on this, it is open to speculation whether Mulenga deserved the boot from the civil service or not. Different political spectra have different explanations. 

Mulenga was a typical village staring who walked with a rhythmic bounce in every step and with shoulders high, his nose always in the air and his eyes sparking with self-assurance that can only be rivaled by stars. He exuded an air of confidence that commanded admiration and envy. Real to him and imaginary to those surrounding him. He was brash and full of braggadocio colloquially referred to as the 'Bemba Arrogance'. 

He wore those suits you would get for K500 at salaula joints common on every street corner. Suits that you don’t have to take for professional laundry but could just hand it over to your helper to wash it. The suits also allowed him to carry roasted groundnuts and cassava, his favourite snacks. But it seemed it also had pockets for stationery, coins, a shoe brush and a packet of cigarette with matches. 

As he made his way to the new office which was extemporaneously prepared, Mulenga couldn't resist sharing his thoughts on how he wants things to moving forward with anyone who would listen. He loved to hear the sound of his own voice, and his colleagues would soon learn due to his incessant chatter. Despite his chatter, he colleague often found themselves lost on what he would be talking about, searching for a glimpse of substance amidst the verbal desert.

"A whole desert of nothingness without any oasis of sense," his workmate, Titameni Phiri, would often whisper to others while rolling her eyes in exasperation and resignation. 

Titameni was the self-appointed spokesperson for everyone as she was the only who would object to Mulenga’s outrageous demands. This was due to two possible reasons. Firstly, she was a Chewa and a woman. Chewa women are verbal artists with a reputation of entertaining nothing and taking no prisoners. These original feminists are assertive and sometimes abrasive. 

Secondly, by virtue of her hailing from the eastern part of Zambia, she had diplomatic immunity over Mulenga. She was his tribal cousin. There is a longstanding social reciprocal relationship premised on jokes and power formally described as traditional cousinship in Zambia or Chimbuya. However, this cannot be exercised by anyone. You can't get away with condescending jokes if you are not a tribal cousin. Context and names are the key.

Due to his tendency to speak at length without saying anything of substance, Mulenga’s charm and charisma - as he thought of it - won over less people. His reason for having that new job and know it all attitude made him a divisive figure in the office.

One day, while presenting a critical project to his superiors, Mulenga launched into a lengthy monologue which was laced with threats and accusations. It was woved in a tapestry of words that left everyone bewildered. It had to take Mr. Mwaba, his supervisor, to intervene and gently guided Mulenga back on track and throwing a lifeline to a meeting which was on a precipice of a disaster.

"Mr Chanda, my fellow Alice Lenshina descendant," Mr. Mwaba said with a smile, "hide that wisdom from the many rat-eating easterners in this room. They will steal that wisdom and claim its theirs since they've always claimed that wise people are from the east. For now, let's just on the task at hand.”

Everyone busted out laughing but the message was clear to Mulenga who nodded and stuck to reading the presentation word for word to avoid veering off in a troubling direction. Again. 

At the time of writing, Mulenga isn’t a man to make even little concessions that would eviscerate his opportunity to demonstrate his authority. However, in life, a little bit of nonsense can be a welcome respite in the midst of the chaos. We must forgo validation and status for the greater and collective goal. 

Appointments like Mulenga’s are part of the reason why the public service has been in the doldrums. People like him rarely go to the office to work and contribute to the greater good. Using the same algorithms that were used against them, they are usually on the lookout for opportunities to exert their authority or 'sort out' others, and this usually stretches to frustrate those who may decide to use anything else but political lenses when conceptualizing or analyzing things. 

It can be hard to understand why someone like Mulenga who had been abused and treated so unfairly to the point of even being dismissed from the public service would perpetuate abuse. However, literature has shown that such patterns are familiar and serve as a way to regain a sense of power. Woe to the land whose king was a servant, Ecclesiastes 10 v. 16 warns. 

Secondly, toxicity, inefficiencies and corruption are usually brewed by individuals like Mulenga who get positions on patronage. Another debate can be held on whether Mulenga is qualified to hold such a senior position as Assistant Director General without any prior experience in the similar environment. Then wouldn’t Mulenga go out hunting for everyone who he thinks may have contributed to his earlier career demise? But again, what is the best way of righting the wrongs that were done to Mulenga through politics? 

Clearly, political or discretionary appointments do not lead to the selection of meritocratic qualified appointees since politics values loyalty more than expertise. The feeling of entitlement by the appointees also harms the integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the public services. Mulenga is both cause and effect of a flawed system of governance in Zambia, a microcosm of deep rooted problems.

THE ADVANTAGE MY DISADVANTAGES

 Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship. - Denzel Washington

That which does not kill us makes us stronger. - Friedrich Nietzsche

What naturally follows from these quotes is that suffering is good for you and makes you more resilient. However, there is little to boast about in suffering; it is humiliating and kills more dreams and people than anything else I can think of. My most humiliating moments, as someone who has known poverty for much of his life, have been a result of being in need. Even in my pursuit of higher education, my career was largely determined by the cheapest available course and the one where finding a job would be easiest. I could write extensively about my experiences with suffering and poverty, especially poverty. This is why I have a chronic case of peniaphobia.

I have been despised, accused, refused, cast aside, and rejected by both good people and a coterie of snobs, including those who always have their noses in the air. Despite all this, I choose to look at the brighter side and learn lifelong lessons with great gratitude. Albeit in retrospect.

There is an advantage to being disadvantaged. This definitely sounds like an oxymoron because it is. With the experiences I have lived, I have already been disadvantaged, and few things can really break me down. I have built a concrete wall of adversity quotient (AQ) – one’s ability to go through a rough patch and come out without losing one's mind.

People often judge an individual based on their intellectual capacity, cognitive abilities and family names. We are misguided by the assumption that someone’s success is determined by their intelligence and access to opportunity. These all are indeed an integral part of excellence, yes. Undoubtedly a huge blessing. But if you are unable to resist and hold out against challenges in life, you will not be able to utilize your intelligence and potential to the maximum extent.

Life is unpredictable and notorious for throwing a preponderance of curveballs, and we may encounter several challenges in our journey towards the end of the road. A perfect nonplus outcome. Thus, success is not only determined by achievements but is also dependent upon how capable an individual is at persevering in times of adversity. It is necessary to develop skills that enable one to overcome challenges, learn and grow from them. Running away from hardships is easy and effortless. But it requires courage, determination and serendipitous moments to fight your adversities and uplift yourself from life's stressors.

It's easier said than done, though. But with prayer and heart, there's no storm that can never be weathered.