The problem with Nilibe Pubulemu
Whatever he was high on—arrogance or excitement—hungry Malawians deserve a better tune (and maize imported from Zambia), not insensitive chants.
Good people, music is magical and rulers need it more.
In Africa, we sing in times of merrymaking and mourning, when a baby is born and when a life is gone.
However, our favourite tunes expose who we really are—for the choices we make reveal our make.
You have been told: “Don’t blow your own trumpet, but show me your friends and I will tell you who you are.”
Just unleash your playlist and people will tell you who you truly are.
Last year, the song that sent tongues wagging was Nilibe Pulobulemu (I have no problem).
Don’t ask me why.
Malawi and Zambia are cousins, only split by western imperialists who met in Berlin, Germany, and shared Africa like a piece of cake.
The moustache colonialists at the Berlin Congress stand accused of separating people with blood ties and lumping together tribes that were traditionally at war.
Despite the scramble for Africa, Zambia are our one—banebanibaneba!
Zambian music has gone viral among Malawians because we all need some fun, love and niceness.
The songs from our neighbours expose the ‘crying nature’ of the Malawian goods.
This is why those who hang out on both sides of midnight were not shocked with penniless Malawians dancing and singing along Nilibe Pulobulemu as if they had just discovered life without downs when they actually needed a donor to buy them a drink or two.
Who said beggars have no problem!
Remember the folks who spent the entire December chanting Nilibe Puloblemu, but later came knocking and crying for ‘a little money’ for ABC and XYZ
This psychosis makes Malawians a nation of pretenders.
Last Saturday, President Peter Mutharika took this Nilibe Pulobulemu craze too far when he told Malawians mesmerised by a newly upgraded stub of Masauko Chipembere Highway: “I personally has no problem and those who have problems can hang.”.
Like father like son!
State House’s flirtations with Zambian music seem to reveal that the president thinks no better than some of his drunken citizens—he doesn’t care.
This is a problem.
But the major problem for impoverished, hunger-stricken Malawians is that the captain of the ship in dire straits does not see a problem.
If the President wanted you to know that he knows no worry, he sounded like he doesn’t know that he does not know the nation is in a big mess.
Whatever he was high on—arrogance or excitement—hungry Malawians deserve a better tune (and maize imported from Zambia), not insensitive chants.
Fortunately, music is magical to troubled kings.
When King Saul wanted a flute and lyre to soothe his rabid soul, he did not demand a foreign tune—but turned to his own David.
Please ‘whatsapp’ the President the contacts of Phungu Joseph Nkasa of Njalahit.
Not MoseWaleroor NdilibePulobulemu.
But songs of truth that prick and liberate hard-hearted sovereigns.
