FCC sours Msadala’s birthday

The disability-unfriendly design of the French Cultural Centre nearly marred poet Alfred Msadala’s 56th birthday during the launch of Blantyre Arts Festival on Thursday.

The BAF board chair–a renowned poet, critic and columnist—was compelled to deliver his poetic speech from the isle between the stage and the audience as his wheelchair could not ascend the steep staircases to the podium.

While Msadala said he was happy that entertainment, arts and culture had come to roost at its home–the FCC–which was closed two years ago, he called on government to hasten the renovation of the venue to bring back its lost glory.

“Those who have never been at the FCC before may not understand why we are holding this festival here, but artists are creators and we are happy to have created a home for ourselves,” said Msadala in appreciation of BAF’s K2 million rehabilitation of the heavily vandalised venue.

He called on artists to make gender and HIV and Aids part of their performances.

In an interview, he called on government and venue-owners to incorporate needs of people with disabilities in their designs.

“The FCC is old but they can look into that (making it non-discriminatory),” said Msadala who recited a vernacular poem to warn people against risky tendencies in times of HIV and Aids.

Parliament this year passed a K2 million allocation for the refurbishment of the venue at the same time that the disabilities Bill which calls for buildings to be disability friendly was passed.