MY SWEET LOVE LETTERS FROM MULENGA KAPWEPWE- BUT WHILE SHOOTING AT RABBITS, THE ELEPHANT IS BUSY RUNNIN AWAY When I read my love letters from my big sis Mule, now famously known as madam Chiduku, thanks to my ever creative mind, it took me back to the days of real love letters. You see, because of emails, whatsupp, smss, BBM and the like, men no longer write the real love letters that they used to. Remember how a letter would start like ‘How are you, me not so bad’, ‘I love you like a cup of tea’, then others advanced to ‘a cup of coffee’. Those days had no cell phones, internet and even those that had land phones were few. Therefore, the best way to a boy could get your attention was to write the sweetest love letter that he could think of, and those that could, even sprayed the letter with perfume, presumably stolen from their sisters or mothers. At one point I remember my sister receiving a bottle of Top Society lotion, mabuyu (yes you read it right, mabuyu- as white as could be inside when cracked) and a packet of biscuits. The sad thing was that this boy was somebody she didn’t like and despite all the efforts, he lost out on the girl he really wanted. Love letters were the real thing, I really miss those days. So you can imagine the gratitude I felt when my sis took me on the trip down memory lane like that. It made me feel so young and back at secondary school once again. It was so refreshing to receive one from my sister- though for the wrong reasons and certainly the wrong gender- to use it loosely. But the effect was certainly the same- blissful. To start with, I congratulate my sis for finally being courageous enough to face the artists/public (although it is on face book and not in person). We have tried to get you to face the artists for years now and finally we did it, even the radio and TV stations must finally be happy to see that you have come out from where we have been trying to get you from. You are a leader, so your silence doesn’t help anyone; people need to hear things direct from the horse’s mouth on many issues. It would, however, be better to get a little up close and not just through Facebook. That’s not for me, but for other artists. For me at least I know where to find you and we seem to even have the same favourite spot for drinks, lol… so all I need to do to see you is go for a drink or two and voila!!! we are in the same place. But the people that need answers from you don’t know where to find you or where the two of us hung out, lol… so be accessible. I have to state for the record that, the media houses have invited you to public discussions as they have invited us as artists to the same platforms and somehow you have found it convenient to avoid these moments. It is interesting that you find it seductive to explain yourself from the confines of your desk or laptop. Be assured that no one is planning to harm you. We just want accountability and unfortunately what you are doing is not helping us. It maybe sensational to those for whom arts is not an issue of bread and butter. What would even be more preferred than facing the public and trying to impress them is to do two things; face the artists and respond to the issues that we are raising. I am afraid your choice to write love letters is not answering to the fundamental issues. The artists also want you to answer them and not just me. I will endeavor to refresh your memory about what the issues are. By the same effort, I would like to respectfully urge you to answer to us and not play to the gallery. You are so right about my character to insist that things are done properly and in order. SABOISTA??? You called it. Damn, I really love it. It is not a joke to have a project and fail to name it. I really was in your same shoes… You finally did it. And is the pronunciation as in ‘fashionista?’ Hope so, will halla at you to find out. You see, I have some fashion, hair and clothes business I am supposed to launch and the only thing missing was a name. I even thought of Saboi Collection and a few other names, but nothing beats Saboista. Such talent can only come from an artist. Thanx a lot dear sis, this I appreciate. Now I see why the National Arts Council acting Director would always say NAC needs both our ‘great minds’. But like I left NAC when our term came to an end, infact I left a year early and left Maiko there, you can also leave and still contribute even as a Consultant. Even at national level, that’s why you see that by the time a leader is leaving they would have been so fade of them that they do not even want their contribution. The other problem is that once hounded out, you will be so bitter that you won’t like the Council. So to avoid all that, it is always best to leave the stage while the audience is still clapping, though in your case we stopped clapping a long time ago, but anyway better today than tomorrow. As you launch Chiduku Beats, I can actually clothe a few guys from my Collection but I won’t give them hair as all our hair will be covered in dukus. It is also in my character to speak my mind when I know that a wrong is being allowed. I however must state for the record that, like you, I do not insult or defame people. There is nowhere I unleashed insults/insele, even the Duku that some people might have thought as offensive has been embraced and loved by you and your newly acquired fans- well, that’s what social media is all about- WELCOME big sis. I have this nature about me of being blunt and not tip-toeing around issues. If that is interpreted as insults, I cannot be held responsible for the misinterpretation. The issues (ELEPHANT) begging your response are; 1. Do you think that you have any new ideas that you want to bring on to NAC? Clearly you have been at the helm of NAC for quite a long time, even by your own timeline. 2. What do you have to show for your time at NAC thus far, outside of chairing the four annual meetings? Have you drawn out a strategic plan; have you empowered a single association and in which way; are the arts richer and more organized now than before you took over (for example, how many awards ceremonies of value are running)? How much resource is available for distribution to the different stake holders? What percentage of the government allocation remains at NAC for administration and what percentage is disbursed to the various arts projects? It seems to me that you have been seating at NAC trying to be an artist or at the very least improve on what you understand to be your artistic side. That is precisely what the problem is; the chairperson of NAC should not be a competitor to the artists but a dreamer on their behalf. NAC should not be used as a Kantemba for personal projects but a conduit through which the government, artists and various stakeholders can interact for the benefit of all involved and the general public. 3. With regard to the ZMA, the issues are very simply; how much money do artists walk away with compared to judges and administrators of the event? How could you sit by and watch the very artists that are supposed to be empowered from the event go away with close to nothing compared to everybody else? How much did the stage cost? Is it true that the stage was brought in from outside for the event and was more than twice the price of the awards? If so, don’t we have cheaper companies locally like Shonga Steel, etc, that could have done a good job? As for the equipment, I know for a fact it was sourced from outside, even had bad sound, and yet we have better here (so much for empowering the arts), whatever happened to PUTTING VALUE ON THE ARTS; I have to ask you how much was our own benefit? The other aspect of awards, the long awaited press statement came out, ZB says they don’t decide how much musicians get- and I totally agree with them. They are a sponsor- other people do the budget. But you also refused that you don’t decide how much musicians should get. Everybody else is refusing. So the mystery still remains, who wrote the budget that is used for the awards??? Judges get K15, 000.00, while musicians get K3,000.00- isn’t it then better to be a judge than a musician? The only problem is that who will the judges be judging if musicians stop going to the studio to record? Or consider calling the awards the Zambia Judges Awards, ZJA from ZMA. You brought the same spirit from the Ngoma Awards that made them very unpopular to the ZMAs, so do you think this time around people would be fooled? The Ngoma failed because of failing to listen to the artists and doing a few things right. As well as always having huge administrative costs at the expense of empowering artists. By now, the Ngoma Awards should have been self-sustaining than always waiting for funding for it. 4. I have to assure you, yet again, that I have nothing personal against you. It is sad that you also have decided to feed into the public the idea that it is me against you, Bembas against the world, lol. It is not, and it has never been. Deep in our hearts we both know that I just happen to be one of the few courageous ones who can speak out. As a matter of fact, some of the artists you mention in your post as working with you and for you have signed the petition. So this shows that it is not personal but a belief by all concerned that you have overstayed and need to do something better. ANSWERING THE ISSUES (RABBITS) THAT YOU RAISED 1. Associations are still only 8 on the Council, why is this the case when we now have over a 160 registered under NAC? (This issue actually qualifies to find itself on the Elephants because it has a big body and long ears). 2. My tenure at the Council might not have been golden years for NAC, due to the rigidity you inflict on the Council, but ZAM certainly had a facelift, mobilized and musicians had faith in it again. Within a year of my four years everybody knew about ZAM and even the young artists that didn’t know or where interested came to know and join it, as well as aspire for positions. When I got there, I had to beg people to stand, now we can’t even contain the number of interested parties. Shows it is really going somewhere. The other staff of it not even being able to pay affiliation fee before I got there but became one of the strongest is something that you can actually explain better. Besides, did ZAM tell you that it also facilitated for musicians to do projects locally and abroad? Names, country/countries visited and by which artists can be availed to you. And of course the Strategic Plan which ZAM now has. The first Association on the Council to have one, but who can you blame if the mother body itself doesn’t have one. 3. For your information, my music career is out there for all to see and its success not only benefitted me, but also helped pioneer an impressive music boom that you see today. Like I said, my music career has been too successful for me to even talk about, so unlike you that now has to give a CV to the public, mine is a legacy. 4. In your first article you said there was no Council 14 years ago and tactfully you avoided mentioning when Mumba Kapumpa started and if he was the first or second NAC Chairperson- please clarify. We seem to be losing out on our history as artists and having been there for over a decade you are a great source of that information. Give us some data and while you are at it, a website link of NAC or so so that we see where we can get other information we need. If it is not there, try to get people to document all that. I think that’s one of the reasons you are failing to go because NAC as an organisation lacks institutional memory and you feel you have to be there to tell fairy tales, which in most cases don’t match with what we have or other leaders- because, just like you, we were all there. You can also do a facebook page for NAC, use the same people doing your personal one, that way artists and the public can interact more with NAC and see what projects are running at a given time. If soon it changes to a Commission, then do that for the Commission. With museums, arts and culture all presumed to be under the Commission, I’m sure the page will be one hell of an interesting one to see. 5. I never said you have been surviving on the NAC Allowances, on the contrary, our shock is that NAC allowances are K300 per sitting and you sit only about 4 times a year, so why would you want to hang on to that? And for many years it was K150, K200 for you as Chairperson, so you were making K800 annually for many years and now has gone to K1, 200. You even mention that “it has been a hard life subsisting on this amount, as I am only able to receive it every quarter when a full Council meeting is held.” Well sis, that’s why we want to relieve you of your duties so that other people suffer in your place, mwachula sana sistele, nabambi bachuleko. We just cant let you suffer for us like that anymore. 6. Indeed the auditor general will need to be consulted and hope the auditors that audit NAC have finally been changed, unlike using one audit firm for years, which to me is an audit query itself. 7. You said during your reign there have been 8 ministers and 11 permanent secretaries. Now sis, don’t you think that’s a pretty long time, add to that we have had 3 or is it 4 presidents? So what have we done wrong as artists to only have you there as a leader during all this time, tinalakwa chani ise kansi? The same need to change that was identified as other office bearers were changing around you is what we want also. Fresh ideas and a new focus on how the arts should be run. You have done your best, let others try or fail also. 8. Nobody wants you out because they are angry, jealous or hate you. The time has just come when another person has to be tried so that we see what they can offer. To me and many other artists, you have failed, that’s all the issue we are fighting for. Brother K wasn’t hounded out but avoided been hound out. He was a man of integrity and he must have weighed the fact that he had a career away from the Council- unlike what we see now. Sadly, your CV clearly shows what artists have been saying; all you have done on that chair is fatten your CV and gained a lot of advantage and jobs, using the NAC position- no wonder you can’t let go of it. It’s really your life line. 9. For the jealous theorists like you, people feel jealous of someone who has more than them, but from your uploaded CV, I personally have no need or reason to feel any of the above. I actually felt a surge of pity because without political favours and good connections, there is really very little you can do with such a CV. You have to work hard sis to diversify and top-up that CV with a bit more meat than art, art, art- even showing belonging to Associations that are no more. Is it because you have not just edited it or you really pose around your CV with those Associations/orgs on them? When last did we even have Kusefya Pakwena ceremony, and yet it shows on your CV as sitting on the Committee, well put it in past tense at least and say ‘sat.’ 10. ZAM started in Brian’s house and after it was killed, you know for a fact that I’m the one who revived it. All requests from NAC proved futile and I had to engage the private sector to raise money for a mere AGM and other staff. I spent my own money and so did other individuals I approached, so if you were ever to analyse properly, then if there was ever a time things became personal was when the ZAM NEC was ‘dissolved.’ But even then it survived me getting personal. The day I will, if I do, you won’t even have to ask. 11. You say “defamation, libel and slander are not opinions” well I totally agree. That is why I did no such thing. Defamation, libel and slander are only so if they cannot be proved. There is nothing I have said which I cannot prove. The hardest thing to prove could have been my allegation of how you used artists in the last petition to denounce other artists who were fighting for the ‘wind of change’ as Dr. Jose called it. But now, with his coming out, confessions and apology to artists for being used by you in the last ‘wind of change’ I am happy that even that too can be proved in any court. And knowing how you love lawyers dear sis, I am sure you could have already gone there by now, or should I say you already done that. The innuendos that mostly characterize my comments CANNOT in any way amount to libel, defamation or slander, and in a case where I touch on legal matters, like I said, it can be proved and hence dispelling the three. But hey, just in case I did, then what are you still waiting for? The Mule I know would have been at the lawyers the very next minute. 12. Unfortunately or fortunate, my life from the time I started singing has been very public and if you want to know anything about me, any paper can be opened to see. Why would I claim to be a lawyer when I love what I do more than law? So don’t you know that with a first degree, law is only 3 years? If I wanted it, I would be finishing it by now. Even on my facebook pages it clearly shows what I do, is it a classic case of writing something in a book if you want to hide it from an African? But now that you are on facebook, I’m sure you will not only learn how to upload a photo or update a status but also see the professions of people if you are interested in the truth. Just to refresh your mind about my qualifications, which actually I never shared with you or any Council members. I did Law, Sociology and English under the University of London for a year. During which I did Criminal, Contract, Tort and Constitutional Law. Then I did Political Science at UNZA, Diplomacy and Public Relations at ZIDIS and International Law and Politics at Canterbury- among many others too numerous to mention, like Project Management, computers, etc. Among the law papers I did at master’s level are Public International Law, International Human Rights Law and my thesis was a law paper, instead of Political Science. As you might observe, I have always loved law and politics and my masters gave me a great blend of the two. Being a class of lawyers and political scientists, lawyers naturally do law papers as their thesis and political scientist also do the same. But being comfortable with both I decided to do a law paper in International Human Rights Law and concentrated on Women’s Rights at Master’s level, but I REPEAT dear sis, iam NOT a lawyer. Despite all that, I’m a very proud Political Scientist and the next thing I will do if I go back to a class will be for a PHD in politics and NOT law- as that is what I love the most. Besides, law is about the Judiciary and politics about the Executive or Legislature- which lawyers can also come into- so it’s all about which arm of government I would want to end up in- so sorry to disappoint you, but I chose legislature and Executive- though as a child I dreamt of being in the Judiciary and earlier even wanted to be a cop. I believe the other genuine misconception might come because some lawyers will tell you we were classmates and even some magistrates/ judges would say I was their student, but I never completed it and changed to another passion of mine while learning both at the same time- when time allowed- as already stated above. Even the lawyer for ZAM is a personal friend I introduced to the Association, and does a lot of pro bono work for the artists, if I were a lawyer myself I would represent ZAM and not have my friend as the lawyer. So any misconceptions are not a problem of mine. In terms of lecturing, I lecture Good Governance and Human Development and I’m so content I wouldn’t ask for anything else. You are behaving the way we used to when we were young that to be rich you need to be a lawyer, so hope you will dispel that the way I did many years ago. 13. Another misconception you tried to pull off was that I said ‘being an artist means you do not have a proper job.’ So what then do you think is the biggest issue I have with your leadership? In case you’ve missed it, it’s the fact that artists cannot be supported enough to make art their profitable jobs. What is not a proper job is ‘Chairperson’ of a Council. As artists, we have not employed you but employed the Director and his team- those are people with proper jobs- but like Shakarongo and others have observed, you have even taken over the functions of the Director, and yet that’s even not a paid job. 14. I’m glad you loved the name duku; I love it on you too, lol. That record label, Chiduku beats, will finally show you what the industry is all about and why artists don’t necessarily want handouts but a condusive environment to thrive. I welcome you to the active side of the artistic world and I promise to come record a song or two there. 15. I was also encouraged when I saw your project on the street names. Remember when I was telling you that NAC can make a lot of money through documentation and gave you an example that we have a lot of streets and other infrastructure named after many Zambians and yet the public doesn’t know what they did? Well, it’s sad that NAC couldn’t do it, and don’t worry I won’t sue you for copyright, I’m just happy that you have so far given it a second thought and looking into it. But if you want the second phase of that let me know, like they say you can only go so far if it is not your idea. Life and love in Chitenge does sound good, can’t wait to see/read it. You have been sitting on your talent for way too long, please leave that seat and join us on the other side where you have to do everything from scratch without a sponsor or money in sight. Art done retrospectively can never truly be appreciated. When you join us, you will be the biggest advocate than all of us because you will know what NAC’s responsibility or role can be in a number of projects and probably push them to do things right which are not being done now. More like what our politicians do. I’m sure from our politicians you could have also observed that they normally know better only when they are no longer in the seat, so again, Welcome to the wonderful world of being an artist. At NAC we say “Putting Value on the Arts” so come help us do so from the outside, if you can’t do that from within. 16. Like you said, I worked on a song called Evelina with Shimasta and Mozegata, knowing fully well that the project is yours. And you have no idea how hard it is for people to get me to the studio. So that’s a big plus for you and the project- congrats. But I was wondering, will I get paid for that project? If not, I will still donate that money to Chiduku Beats, like I said, I promise I won’t miss the launch for anything. I will also wear a duku. Ooohhh, by the way, did I ever mention that I love the way you tie your duku. People love my duku- but yours- yours is the one. If I was ever to be jealous of you, it will be for that reason and that reason only. Sincerely, you have one of the best dukus in town. 17. Don’t say, should I, but when we succeed in removing you from NAC, as it will be a collective effort by many artists, I’m happy that you will survive. Sincerely, when I read your CV it worried me a lot as, like artists say, all that appears there is what you have gained by virtue of your post as Chair of NAC, and even Technical Director was a post you had to disburse money to artistic projects. But I’m still wondering how NAC still didn’t have a Chairperson until you got back, that charm of yours is something else sis, you better give workshops to teach it, if it can even be taught- you must have been born with it, lol. In 2003 you stepped down to go and administer the CSSP Project, as it was called, but yet when you went back to NAC after the project ended you still got back the chairmanship? During that time I also never heard of any other Chair, so the Chair must have really been waiting patiently for you to go back. Sincerely, in 2003 when you stepped down to be Technical Consultant for CSSP who remained as NAC Chairperson? After EU project is completed you resume chairmanship? 18. You also say that you have been Chair for 10 years, that there was no Council 14 years ago but that when Mumba Kapumpa left there was a vacuum for about 4 years- if you have clear data please share, because there seems to be too many gaps here and a lot of wrong mathematics. And I’m not being sarcastic but please share data here because a lot of things and years just don’t add up, of course we shall also consult with brother K just to patch up a lot of staff. 19. Lastly, you should give evidence of what NAC has done and the artists that have benefited for the last decade- according to your timeline. From your second love letter, which I must was equally sweet, these are the few things I observed, (more rabbits); 1. There is a gap in your story from 2004-2007- should I take it you are running NAC smoothly by then? 2. Tenure of Kapwepwe Chiduku Second Council comes to an end in 2007… then in 2007, minister Namugala appoints a caretaker or interim board. And just like now, you were available to offer your ever available presence to the Council which has just come to an end, and if you were not there it would probably have collapsed just like it will collapse now if you are not ther? 3. Clearance stretches from 2007 to May 2009 through no fault of the ministry, NAC and the intelligence? Really? And during this long stretch, of course our sister is there to assist with her much needed presence, since there is even no one to blame for this ‘long stretch.’ 4. Give results of the elections, you seem to have deliberately neglected the results. 5. Just correct where you put “second Council under Chiduku continues to serve the embattled term” because that was the third. 6. You say you are not qualified or interested, should we go and pull out your application to show that you applied and are interested in the job? Hope your connections know that you are not qualified and impose you on us once again. 7. I’m glad you noticed the selfless Mandela-like motivation I’m espousing because you don’t need to be involved in the NEC or NAC to contribute. I did it with ZAM and I shall certainly do it with NAC. As long as we have productive leaders that can serve properly that’s good with me. We don’t have to be in the chairs ourselves to be relevant. 8. Until now, your story at NAC has been like that of Lenshina, Rosemary Chibanda and others. We need documented evidence of a lot of things and being an author, I thought that would have been obvious than waiting for a Saboista move to document your own stay at NAC. 9. The November 2013 term comes to an end. And as a stop-gap measure once again you are available to offer your free services? Don’t we have other people, even on the Council, as kind as you are, to step in at this trying time as we transition into a Commission? 10. Even 10 years, the despotic and disputed Chiduku rule has been characterized by nothing but self gain and destruction/under development of all arts association- I totally agree. So instead of just cutting yourself a celebrity status, you better respond to the issues, as that’s the main reason we need you around, not only for show and love letter. I’m happy that I have done what we failed to do in all your long years in office, and that is to make you accessible. I’m happy you are finally on facebook, but please don’t let others run it for you all the time. I know using proxies is the new phenomenon in public relations but your proxies won’t manage to answer questions like you would. So endeavor to create as much time as possible to answer the burning issues artists have had for more than a decade, as all meetings with artists that we used to have under brother K like the Ngoma awards post mortem meetings were all cancelled under you. So now is the time for them to know you, learn from you and find out anything of interest to them. Your letters are good and sweet to read but I’m not up for love letters. I would rather you avail yourself to meet the constituency, and then respond to the issues. We are determined to replace you at the top and welcome you to be an artist so that you have the experience of being one without proper representation. I am gainfully employed and the NAC chairmanship is not on my cards, but it’s the welfare of the artists that gives me a fast pulse. Lastly, Zambia is highly religious and even artists that don’t do gospel music or other art forms are mostly Christians. Will you be comfortable as to clear all the rumours as regarding your religion, or lack thereof? Some artists might differ with you on this so much, but I say people shouldn’t conclude but hear it from you. So show them that “Jesus is Lord” and that you believe in their very God- or not- by answering that question publicly and putting all that talk to rest once and for all. With love from your dear sis, Saboista. Jesus is Lord. https://facebook/pages/Mulenga-Kapwepwe-MUST-GO/1422575947989903
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 11:29:20 +0000
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