One for David Young, again!

When I sat down to put together this entry, the temptation I had was to repeat the submission I did on December 15 last year.

The entry was on the outgoing United States Ambassador to Malawi David Young. It was days after he paid a courtesy visit to the Nation Publications Limited offices at the Glasshouse in Blantyre. During his visit, I was accorded the rare chance to interact with the man I had known from a distance for a period.

Our conversation was pure and easy because of the common ground that we stood on; our closeness to the country’s creative sector. Young set himself apart for having unbridled passion for local arts. He did not just pull strings from afar, but he actively participated in the happenings in the industry.

During our interaction, nothing came out differently from the man I had known. His interest in Malawian arts was as strong as it could be. Perhaps what stood out more was his belief in what the local creatives can achieve and his roadmap to achieving that success.

For everything that he spilled out during that visit, the US envoy never gave a hint that in less than two months he would be retiring from office. He was there with his deepened modesty looking so much part of the shared US-Malawi vision.

So when it was announced this week by the US in Washington through their embassy in Lilongwe that Young is retiring from public service with immediate effect, the news sent disturbing waves through the creative realm.

This was not surprising at all. During his two-year stay in Malawi, Young left his footprints almost in every corner of Malawian art. One day he would be seen with rapper Tay Grin, the next day with comedian Tannah or in the studio with Suffix.

Ambassador Young stepped right into Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa to have a first-hand experience of the much touted Tumaini Festival. He did not feel any kind of limitation whenever he had the urge and intent to indulge in anything.

It is not surprising to read through the impassioned and moving tributes that players in the industry made in the aftermath of the announcement of his retirement. They just did not see it coming. Just like many others too.

Content creator Tannah did not hide his sadness upon learning of the news: “I learned a lot from him and above all he taught me to look at the gift that I have as a treasure that I can transform and leave an impact on other lives.”

The words of the Chargé d’Affaires Amy Diaz this week were, therefore, refreshing. She has committed to continue supporting the arts sector and creating opportunities for young Malawian creatives through their programmes, initiatives and events.

As Young departs for his next stop, he should know that he touched our lives and captured our souls due to his selfless devotion towards promotion of Malawian art. His courage and passion made us to accept him like one of us and as he leaves, we feel the loss.

I hope that one day the industry will attain the standards he so much wished to see reached. And that, during that moment Young will share in that glory with all Malawians. Now we can just say go ye well David. We are now one soldier short.