Poet bemoans foreign influence
Renowned poet Felix Njonjonjo Katsoka has attacked what he calls Malawians’ obsession with foreign products and services.
In his upcoming album titled Kudikila Mzungu 2, Njonjonjo questions the love that Malawians have towards anything foreign while failing to appreciate local products and services.
In the title poem Kudikila Mzungu, Katsoka calls Malawi a land full of potential and great things but says it is sad that its own people fail to appreciate it.
In an interview, Katsoka said the new album, which has 18 poems, is a continuation from Kudikila Mzungu 1 which he released three years ago.
“Kudikila Mzungu 1 sold more than 500 copies and up to now people still make requests for it, meaning it received the much needed response.
“Kudikila Mzungu 2 is, therefore, here to continue the crusade of encouraging self appreciation among Malawians while at the same time promoting poetry,” said Katsoka.
He said that his album is a demonstration of good poetry, claiming that much of what we are having these days are jokes and stories, not poems.
“Unfortunately, it is these jokes and stories that are taking centre stage as poems. I am afraid we may end up accepting this as the norm,” he added.
The former Poetry Association of Malawi president further said his poetry album also covers a number of issues ranging from the Malawi and Tanzania lake wrangle to tribalism.
There is also a poem titled Mwanza in which he tackles the topic of deforestation in the districts of Mwanza and Neno due to charcoal burning and wood carving.
The album will hit the market in the first week of May with an official launch to be held later. n
