Germany-based Malawian dramatist Manasseh Chisiza has teamed up with up-and-coming poet Yona Mlakatuli in a poem titled Voice of the Unheard.
The musical poem, written and arranged by Chisiza, talks about the abductions and killings of persons with albinism, a malpractice that has persisted in the country for a number of years.
In an interview last Wednesday, Chisiza said he was inspired to write the poem as a message to the nation.
“Poetry to me is like the voice for the voiceless and I use it to express the feelings of others that fail to do so,’’ he said.
Chisiza described killings and abductions of persons with albinism as acts that needs condemnation and zero-tolerance, saying persons with albinism are like any other persons and should be given equal rights.
“People that are born with albinism are people like everyone else and not just that, but they are our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers.
“So, these acts of terror should not be tolerated,” said Chisiza.
In a separate interview, Yona Gondwe (stage name Yona Mlakatuli), said the poem has come at the right time when there could be others that have had a hand in issues to do with abductions of people with albinism but are still at large.
“It is our duty as artists to speak for justice, especially using our talents,” said Mlakatuli. The poem was released on August 15.
