Malawians on the world stage: academic honors, music, science and technology · Global Voices
There is one discernible theme running through the Malawian blogosphere in the month of May. This round-up focuses mostly on what these bloggers have written in this month, now approaching its end. One Malawian has received international honors for his contributions to world scholarship, while two female Malawian musicians have launched their latest music albums outside Malawi. One Malawian scientist calls for the Malawi government to put in place mechanisms to prepare for the looming disaster that might possibly be triggered by global warming, and two Malawians have made their mark in the world of technology. It has been a month of Malawians showcasing their mettle on the world stage, and here with it all.
Honoring a world class scholar
Blogger <PERSON>, a Malawian journalist currently a Niemann Fellow at Harvard University, celebrates the news that a Malawian scholar has recently been honored by Rhodes University of South Africa, and that a former Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) journalist will be teaching at Rhodes University. The two Malawians being celebrated are <PERSON> and <PERSON>. <PERSON> was recently awarded a Senior Doctorate by Rhodes University for his world class scholarship in development studies and political economy. <PERSON> has been the Director of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) since 1998. The other Malawian is <PERSON>, who recently announced on his blog that he had resigned from MBC. <PERSON>, himself a journalist with the MBC, writes:
I wish to congratulate Prof. <PERSON> and <PERSON> for the Rhodes Honours. 830
This comes to mind how quickly our great poets and academics such as <PERSON> and <PERSON> whom I have heard from so many people here at Harvard and beyond asking. <PERSON> and others have become symbols of their nations and ambassadors promoting good. Apart from the two, people like <PERSON> made an impact at the IMF, early May 2007 when I visited the institution I heard fascinating stories on how he used to move from office to office meeting his juniors and seniors alike to hear them. I was proud to be a Malawian when a room full of World Bank and IMF officials, one screamed, “Malawi is unique, it has its best leadership in the Presidency and Minister of Finance.” I hope the this Leadership given at the global institutions will extend into recognition of our achievers and use them as ambassadors to promote Malawi's values.
Music for the world
Two Malawian female musicians this month launched their latest albums, one in Nairobi, Kenya, and the other in Stockholm, Sweden. In Kenya it was gospel artist <PERSON>, while in Sweden it was musician <PERSON>. <PERSON>, Global Voices author, witnessed the Stockholm affair, and wrote on his blog:
She says she decided to launch here [Sweden] because she did not have adequate time to do so in Malawi as she was supposed to leave for studies in Sweden. <PERSON>'s album which has ten tracks (most in Chichewa and others in English) can be bought on Radio Yako (www.radioyako.com).
In another posting, <PERSON> writes about the Global Day of Prayer, Sunday May 27, arguing that the day is unlikely to make the headlines because of its religious nature. He reflects on this important day, posting pictures of a celebration of this day last year at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi:
PROBABLY the world's largest unity is to be reflected this Sunday on the Global Day of Prayer when people from over 190 nations will join together and pray for the world.
But to put this event in the headlines is direct rebuke to most of our global and national issues so editors prefer to keep it away. After all these are “religious things” and covering it would be ‘like promoting their faith’ they argue.
Malawi and a warmer globe
<PERSON>, a scientist with the Malawi National Aquaculture Centre, warns that global warming is real, and that Malawi is part of the areas in Africa that are at greater risk. He calls on government to take measures to address the problem:
My questin has been and is always “What is our role as Malawians ?” Do the parliamentarians take this issue with a priority? The image clearly shows that Malawi is in the band of “Areas at most risk”. Let us act now by putting in place necessary policy issues like-irrigation for all crop fields by the year 2030 or 2040, thats 10 yeras before the real thing is on our neck. 830