Malawi and Africa Support Obama through Facebook

For the weeks leading up to Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration, many people expressed their enthusiasm for the first African American President. The excitement culminated on January 20th, 2009; the day that Barack Obama took the oath of Presidency of the USA. Dr Steve Sharra a Malawian blogger and educationist from Michigan State University changed his profile status with a quote from American film director Spike Lee: "The new calendar begins today. We're moving from the B.O era (Before Obama) into the A.O era (After Obama)" Many Malawians and Africans alike watched the inauguration on their Facebook accounts through live streaming from Cnn.com. At 12pm, the precise time when Barack Obama was sworn in as 44th President of the United States, Dumisani Kapanga, a Malawian currently living in the UK wrote on his Facebook status profile: "This confirms that all things are possible; from oppression, slavery to a black man leading the free world" Many young Africans are inspired and awed by President Obama's achievements and want to follow his steps. The son of an African immigrant who is now President-inspired Kapanga, a student at New Caledonian University to later add: "Wait till I become the first coloured British Prime Minister. Yes I can!"
Victor Chizinga, another African watching the Inauguration through Cnn.com and Facebook joined the chorus of countless praises by saying:"When u hear the name Obama, you can not tell me that your spirit,energy,attitude is not elevated to the highest positive level!" While watching the live internet stream, a Malawian girl living in Toronto, Canada wrote on her Facebook 'wall': "I am overwhelmed with joy by the magic happening south of the border. I am actually crying!"
Thom Chiumia, a journalist working for the Nyasa Times, an online news source calls Obama his hero and a hero to all Africans.
Not all African and Malawian Facebook users were thrilled with Obama's Presidency. Some like Kondwani Kamiyala compared the 44th American President to Zimbabwe's Leader, Robert Mugabe: "I'm wondering why all the fuss about Obama. How different is he from George Bush and Robert Mugabe?" said Kamiyala. His comment or question was responded almost immediately by others watching the historic Inauguration. One user said: "You responded well to yourself; you just said it mate. He's Obama and they are Mugabe and Bush and they are miserable failures" Mfana wa ku Malawi, another Facebook user responded to Kamiyala's comment with humor: "Bush is American, Mugabe is African, Obama is African-American. That's the difference mate!"
The majority of Africans and Malawians watching the Inaugurations felt like Gertrude Vumilia who said at the end of the ceremony: "I am happy to have witnessed this historic Inauguration. Obama is the man Africa needs. I believe in him and in Real Change"
In May 2009, Malawians will be heading to polls to elect their President democratically, only for the 4th time of their lives. The current President of Malawi Bingu wa Mutharika(DPP), Bakili Muluzi(UDF) and JZU Tembo(MCP) are among the candidates to the Malawian Presidential Election that has also drawn considerable attention from Malawians on social network sites like Facebook.


Caleb Phiri & Chimwemwe T (in Malawi), Postera Tenthani for MMALAWI BLOG

Malawi Musicians Interviews

Malawi Current News (Mmalawi Blog) Presents 2 Exclusive interviews with Malawian musicians Kimba Mutanda from the now disbanded Malawian Band Real Elements on Thursday (January 22) and Kenny Gilmore (Amunaamuna) on Tuesday (January 27th). Kimba Mutanda will talk about his current musical carreer and his future plans. He also talks about hi 'real' nationality, his view on homosexuality and religion.
Kenny Gilmore talks about how he ended up in Malawi and what he has been doing since leaving Malawi. In the exclusive interview, Kenny also talks about his greatest love among other things. The two Malawian musicians will also offer advice to the young and upcoming musicians who are trying to make a name for themselves. They will also offer their opinions on the current Malawi music scene.
C.Phiri Malawi Current News

McCain Better than Obama for Malawi

Sen. John McCain agreed with 90% of President George Bush's policies. This meant that he would have continued the programs that are undertaken currently by the USA in Africa. George Bush through his government has helped Africa more than any other American President. Since 2001, aid to Africa has quadrupled ($1.3bn in 2001 to $5bn in 2008) and Malawi has benefited in many ways from it. Many projects became reality with the help of the American aid. The Election of Barack Obama and the Democrats may mean that some Malawian doctors will not receive any more funding and some hospitals may be forced to treat less patients. Sen. John McCain's pledge to further the Republican agenda meant that the African programs to fight malaria or Aids would have progressed. President-elect Obama's origins do not guarantee that he will help Malawians at the rate that the Republican President did. Just like George Bush, John McCain's policies could have saved millions of Malawian lives. Currently, almost every household in Malawi has mosquito nets which have helped in reducing Malaria, especially in children. The nets were most of the times distributed free of charge or sold at a price that every Malawian could afford. During Bill Clinton's Presidency under the Democratic agenda, mosquito nets were very expensive and not promoted by the Malawian government because of the lack of funds. During the last 8 years, many HIV patients in Malawi have been helped with antiretrovirals (ARVs) that have saved many lives.
For some Malawians in Lilongwe or Blantyre, Barack Obama in the White House represents negative change to their lives. The continuation of the George Bush' policies by Sen. John McCain could have positively benefited Malawians. Many are looking forward to the upcoming Malawi Elections where they will choose between Bakili Muluzi or Bingu wa Mutharika.

C.Phiri Mmalawi

Malawi Musician Tay Grin Sings About the Dead

Postera Tenthani
Tay Grin,the 2008 Malawi Musician of the Year (2008 Malawi Web Awards Winner) has been recognized by many as one of the best musicians on the present Malawian music scene. Tay Grin(real name Limbani Kalilani) has worked with renowned Malawian musicians Tapps (Tapiwa) Bandawe, Andrew Kwizombe, Tha Gosple, Dan Lufani and Sally Nyundo. The song, Nyau Music is a fusion of hip hop and traditional Malawian music. Nyau is a Malawian(Chichewa) tradition and religion that bases its beliefs on the fact that the dead are still alive. Nyau Music borrows its chorus from the famous soundtrack of the 1990s cult Tv series Shaka Zulu, the South African powerful and fearless leader of the 16th Century.
The Malawi Music video Nyau Music Live by Tay Grin:

Tay Grin was nominated for the prestigious Channel O Spirit of Africa Music Awards under the categories; "Best Male Artist from Africa" and his hit single "Stand Up" was nominated for the "Best South African Video" and "Best Hip Hop Video" Tay Grin urges all Malawians from cities and towns like Lilongwe, Blantyre, Ntcheu, Mponela, Kasungu and Dedza to stand up and dance. Sally Nyundo and Andrew Kwizombe(FM 101 Dj), both Malawian musicians based in Blantyre appear in the video.
Watch the video Stand Up by Tay Grin:




The 2008 Malawi Web Award Winner in the musician category, Tay Grin aka Limbani Kalilani, cousin to Real Element's Jerome David Kalilani(Stix), also sings in vernecular languages like chichewa in songs from his succesful album "Split Screen"An example is the song Ndabwera:

http://mmalawi.blogspot.com/

Bingu attacks Malawi Nyasa Times as McCain and Obama attacked the Media.

During the 2008 US Elections, both President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain attacked the media for the negative portrayal of their personalities, agendas or personal lives. As the Leader of the Free World, the USA and its politicians are considered as an example to the many African politicians. It is therefore not surprising that the President of Malawi(a third-world-country); attacks the media in his turn.According to an article posted on the Nyasa Times website, Mr Bingu wa Mutharika, the Malawi President is quoted as saying: “The Nyasa Times has been part of the vilification campaign against me and my government. It has concentrated on tarnishing my image internationally for reasons which I don't know. Much focus has been on negatives only and not on positives about my government” The Nyasa Times which has been voted as 2008 Malawi Best News Website has at times through its articles taken swipes at Bingu wa Mutharika’s policies especially as the Malawi Presidential Elections are fast approaching. Just like President-elect Barack Obama attacked Fox News and Sen. John McCain attacked the New York Times, the Malawi Media should expect even more attacks from Mr Bingu wa Mutharika or his rival, Mr Bakili Muluzi before the May 19th Malawi Elections.

Caleb Phiri Malawi Current News