This and That

What happened to time?

Good people, welcome me one and all on this plot I rent, for once, from the landlord Herbert Chandilanga. Like any art mind, I don’t want to waste your time with salutations and political statements.

The other day, I was supposed to meet one international poet downtown. Three minutes after the appointed time, the poet called to point out how bored stiff she was for my not being there on time.

I was on my way, only to get to the spot 10 minutes late. You can imagine her rage!

This same poet, scheduled a performance for 6pm. On the dot, the performance was on course and some patrons, used to the dreary ‘African time’ came in late, only to watch the last stanza of the closing poem.

I also remember a few months ago, when an international Malawian musician performed at Ryalls Hotel and those who thought the show would start an hour late, as usual, were in for the shock of their life. They only watched half the performance.

I have learnt over the years to mind about time, especially where performances are concerned. With that in mind, I was on the top floor of Robin’s Park by six in the evening last Saturday, set to watch a Valentine’s treat by state broadcaster.

It promised to be one great show, with the jive machine Skeffa Chimoto on the cards to share the stage with Black Missionaries, poet Nyamalikiti Nthiwatiwa and comedian Michael Usi apart from the rejuvenated MBC Band.

The show did not start, until after nine! Like some other patrons in the hall, I was deeply enerved by this prolonged delay. The decoration from Nzika Wear was great, the bands that performed did their utmost to up the fun but that speck marred it all.

I have always thought sticking to time should be top on the ‘do’ list for any serious artist and organiser. It shows how serious you take the patrons.

While we are at it, I pay homage to Whitney Houston whose passage last Saturday came as a shock to the world. She left a mark, not only with songs like Greatest Love of All and I Will Always Love You—that rendition of Dolly Parton’s song—but also with appearances in such films as The Bodyguard.

Fare thee well Whitney.

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