Ndhlovukhazi Storyteller Reloaded

Taken last year at our first the A.C.E. Project shoot by Fortress Media.
Styled by Mafashio

No you have not taken the blue pill. I would highly advise sticking to red with this little one - you don't want to really know how deranged and confused I truly am. However, I am expanding my matrix online by shutting down my public profile on Facebook.  It was originally created as an extension of this blog and a way to be able to connect with the Zambian and African media industry in a more accessible and organic way, that a page wouldn't have been able to do at the time, in my opinion.  However, it is clear I have outgrown it, and the best platform is now a page to interact in a way that I am comfortable with, and makes sense with where I am now, and where I want to go.  So I am in the process of shutting Mwana Ba Afrika down and I have launched the Ndhlovukhazi Storyteller page, aiming to take things to the next level. I believe that this is the best way for me to appear publicly on this platform going forward.  It is definitely the best way to better serve those of you interested in knowing about who I am and what I do in an easily accessible way.  Thank you for your continued support, I really appreciate it xo.  So, please like my new page, and I am looking forward to this new path to go on a journey together!

(To understand my decision better, you can read my Top 10 Posts of 2016, as they illustrate and expound on my growth and metamorphosis: thinking about leadership and finding a way to cope with public life better.)

You can find more information about who I am, what I do and the things I am interested in, from a different angle, by liking my new Facebook Page Ndhlovukhazi Storyteller ;}. 

Tikambe Natulande Part 2

I expressed in Part 1 what a mind*bleep* filming this episode of the vanguard television series produced by Samba Yonga for BBC Media Action was. Even though this post is part of my Things on Thursday series, this is no small thing let me tell you. Are they ever with me ;)?

Youth Counsellor Nancy Mweene and I on set filming our
episode. Photo Credit: PR Girl

I think the most shocking part of the experience for me was the fact that a father felt that it was okay to stick his penis inside his daughter's vagina to teach her about how sex is not to be taken lightly and that she was too young to have intercourse.  That he was able to get aroused in order to penetrate her.  That despite her cries he still went on to rape her.  The despicable act was in no way consensual on her part. That he then ejaculated into his hands so he could mix his sperm with traditional herbs in order to make some juju concoction to rub on her stomach, so if she did have sex, she would get stuck to the dastardly boy who was in cahoots with her, so they could catch them both in the act and reprimand them accordingly! You can't make this kind of crackpot crazy up! I. JUST. CAN'T. As far as I know, the girl did not contract an STD or worse ended up pregnant only to be come the mother/ sister to her brother-incest child! It is pure luck that her once innocent soul was not forced to suffer any more than it already has been burdened with.

I could not express myself quite that bluntly on camera, as Zambia is still in the dark ages. We couldn't even use scientific, technical terms in order to really depict just how heinous a situation this poor young girl was in and what trauma she faced. I am known to not have any brakes, but I was not going to jeopardise the initiative by not finding a way to get this important message out. Her story was more important than any agenda of mine. I was quite annoyed I couldn't quite articulate myself as clearly and as freely  as censorship is a huge part of the problem.  We need to talk openly about sex because clearly we are having it and it was revealed as the Tikambe Natulande season unfolded that children much younger than 10 are experimenting, because we aren't creating safe spaces to chat about this natural and important part of our lives.  This is almost a year since I filmed the episode and I am still shaken, angry and disturbed that this is not a singular case, but there are thousands around the country being disciplined along this spectrum of sexual perversion in the name of tradition and good parenting.  This is not who we are.  We are so lost in Zambia that those with any sort of power abuse it in the most devious and evil ways. We have to do better.  What future do we have if our youth are continuously blighted by the most unnecessary of traumas. Unadulterated, blunt, uncensored truth serum is required to not only be  prescribed, but actually dispensed in bucketloads like Cod Liver Oil. Not teaspoons or tablespoons but bucketloads.  It won't go down well, but it will be good for us.  We just need to suck it up and get on with curing ourselves of this hush hush syndrome that is crippling us.

Here is the episode and you can watch the rest of the season on the Tikambe Natulande Channel:

If you would like to talk more about this, tweet me and for professional advice on sexual reproductive health issues and for resources near you in Zambia, contact the Tikambe team on Facebook or Twitter.

Women's Month Recap

Yes I am appreciating designer Ms KC's posterior.  It was an
eventful women's month what can I say ;}

During Women's Month I was interviewed by Leelee, a twit whom I have come to love dearly.  In saying that I'm probably going to be subject to more crazy and pretence that she is not all cookie dough inside, with some sort of hard exterior comment or a deluge of pseudo-vitriol once she sees this.  We know your secret, you love me too lol. The proof is in the pudding (don't get me started on what a weird saying that is...):

@leelabee clearly are no rules. Transpecies transformation is completely up to you. That's a lot Indian, Brazilian hair & dye in your future

— Ngosa Whoopi Chungu (@whoops_c) April 2, 2016

The conversation started before these tweets was silly, and ended cray cray. Yaaaah...he he he he...

Back to some semblance of normalcy and to the actual point of this post. I enjoyed a recent article of hers and here is an excerpt featuring my answers to her insightful questions:

Q: If you could put on a parade for International Women’s Day, which woman would you put on the main float?

A: I’d put my mother. When I grow up I want to be as graceful, worldly, loving and effective as she is. Despite the constraints of Zambia’s conservatism, she has managed to beat the odds and pursue her dreams.

She raised 3 girls to be strong women and to value education and self-fulfillment, not to just believe that the only role in society females have is to be wives, mothers and children. She showed you can be that and more by being an entrepreneur and recently successfully campaigning to represent Lufwanyama constituency at Parliament. So many people told her she couldn’t do both those things but that didn’t stop her. She’s amazing!

Q: How can young women empower themselves?

A: People may dare to keep you in a box but once you realise the only person who truly puts limits on what you do is you, you have won the battle. If you listen to naysayers you will do nothing. If you look inside yourself to find your potential and the strength to fulfill your dreams, you are empowered and nothing can stop you.

Q: What advice would you give your teenage self?

A: Forget the plan. Life is not about that, it’s about adapting and evolving. If you are rigid, you cannot take the hard knocks and the crazy that will come your way. If you can only succeed when things go your way, you will ultimately fail. If you can’t see beyond what you think you want, you will miss out on great opportunities and will not be exposed to new things and find out that maybe you should go in a different direction. There are many ways to get to what you believe will make life worth living.

Q: How do you define success?

A: Inner peace: No regrets, love from family and friends, passion for life and work that feels like play, contributing positively to the communities you are privileged to be a part of.

Q: What is the best advice a female family member has given you?

A: You are enough. My younger sister tells me that all the time. She is the love of my life and is my number one cheerleader.  She takes me just as I am, as silly, deranged and confused as I may be due to having a creative soul and being a little too cerebral at times.

You can find the whole article with different questions posed to fabulous proudly Zambian women on Leelee's blog.

To keep up-to-date with everything going on with moi and my projects in Zambia and globally, follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Twit Tuesday: e18hteam Behind the Scenes Video and #PTHerd Prince chat

As you know I have my reservations about Twitter, but what I love about the social media platform is the ease at which conversation can be fostered.  Hence I am happily a twit now with no regrets, especially as being one has helped me with content for the blog.

This post is dedicated to Sam Ndhlovu.

Right now, Twitter is the primary communication tool with which e18hteam is able to be brought to the masses at no cost, and the ability and ways to provide information to those who want it is unlimited.  Here is a Storify of last week's events on my production company and e18hteam's Twitter pages that revolved around my favourite little ones, Sam Ndhlovu aka the Purple Tembo Herd Prince.

To know more about how to become a part of the Purple Tembo Herd royal family, follow Sam on Twitter and see how it's done. Jedi master must you be.  Only way to Sam defeat.  From this Yoda take it ha ha ha ha.

You can find other storify stories I have published here.

A Rebel's Guide to the Barefeet Revolution #BarefeetRev

Follow me @whoops_c for
live tweeting during the
Revolution

The Revolution is upon us so it's time to get revvvvvvvved up and excited for the week of mischievious entertainment ahead. So gentlemen (and women), start your engines...but unlike RuPaul's Drag Race, everyone wins, not just the best woman ha ha ha ha ha! Yes I have gotten hooked on that reality show but I digress. Back to the important things...

As a self appointed Rebel of the Revolution (I came up with the name for all press and social media gurus helping to promote and document the Festival he he he), I thought it important to follow up my manifesto, aka my previous post, with a guide to help you visionaries out there (the public who will be in Lusaka this week and have cash to spend) navigate through the programme of activities.

First, turn up to a recruitment centre  - any Computicket situated at all Shoprite Stores in Zambia and buy either a Big Foot all-access pass for K250 (you can also call comrades Kazembe: 0973923651 or Charmaine 0978948372), or tickets to the events of your choice.  Please consult the Revolution schedule below to figure out whether it would be more cost-effective to buy the all-access pass.  You can also purchase the Big Foot or buy a ticket for events at the door. 

Once you have enlisted to be a soldier of the Revolution, plan out your schedule to enjoy the various performances our comrades from Barefeet and their friends from Italy, the UK, Zimbabwe and South Africa have in store. Be all 21st Century about it and download the ZHappening app on your phone so you can set reminders so you don't forget when and where to revolt :)

Find the entire Barefeet Festival Schedule on Zhappening and set reminders for each event! @BarefeetTheatre pic.twitter.com/ceTr213pbW
— Zhappening (@zhappening) August 15, 2014

If you can't make to some of the events have no fear, there are a whole band of rebels out there who will be spreading the word and documenting activities all through the week.  I can vouch for quality tweeting from:

Mwanabibi Sikamo @mwanabibi 

Mr. Blow @Benny_blow

Samba Yonga @Kuwaha
George Mutale @LupMqr

and of course our comrades at Barefeet - @BarefeetTheatre and @BarefeetAdam

Here is a video to get your body to find its revolutionary spirit:

Highlights of the Revolution include:

For more information about the Festival: tickets, performances, venues, directions and anything else pertaining to the Revolution, visit Barefeet's website or Facebook Page. VIVA!

Y Zed: It's a Revolution...

@Barefeet Theatre #Revolution

Before you panic, remember though TIA (This is Africa), we are talking about Zambia. We pride ourselves on being a peaceful nation, so the likelihood of you needing a gas mask, as the forces of liberty battle those of enslavement, are slim to none.  No you shouldn't have built that bunker and shopped for supplies to go underground for months for the apocalypse either.  Seeing a makishi dancer in a mask however is no cause for alarm though.  If you are already in conniptions, sorry for the angina, we were going for the dramatic, not histrionics, with this beautiful poster.  Plus it does actually indicate what it is for so really...

It's that time of year again, and this time I am blogging in realtime about the Barefeet Festival, not months after the fact he he he.  This year the theme is #Revolution!

I am so excited to be helping out this group of mischievious performance artists again.  I continue to be inspired by the fact that these young men and women turn their lives around by turning their backs on the street and put their youthful energy to good work in their communities and around the world, utilising the inherent power of art to transcend boundaries and limitations, so their spirits and souls are free to connect with others.

I will blog more about the Festival over the coming weeks and of course, follow me on Facebook and Twitter to keep up-to-date with live tweeting and photo posting.  In the meantime here is a sneak peek at what Barefeet have in store for you:

Post by Barefeet.

Yes that's South Africa's Freshly Ground :)!

Beginnings of our giant giraffe puppet (minus head) made with trainees @BarefeetTheatre @barefeetadam @PuppetPlace pic.twitter.com/Yvp2g07jBo
— Rowan Watts (@VIPPuppets) August 6, 2014

Excited coz they are making an elephant puppet too!

To find out about tickets and the full schedule of festivities, like Barefeet Theatre on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

For more on the blog about Barefeet, read about last year's Festival: ROAR in these posts: Part I and Part II.

Are you a young person looking to do something during the holidays, a student looking for social media and web experience, or are you a professional with time to spare to help Barefeet with their online activities?  Contact Communications Manager Andrew at andrew@barefeettheatre.com or drop by their premises in Thorne Park to lend a hand.

Directions to Barefeet Theatre: 

At the Great East-Makishi Road traffic lights turn onto the Wimpy side of Makishi Road.  

After the Petroda Station on your left and the hump take the next left onto a dirt road.  

Take the first left indicated by an Airtel credit hut.  

As the road bends to the right you will see a tree in front of you: take the turn into the small lane behind the tree to your left and follow the lane over the bridge.  

You will see a yellow wall fence with Barefeet in huge letters in front of you to your right.

Twit Tuesday: #BringBackOurGirls

Thought this picture of Muslim women that I took in Zanzibar in 2011 was
appropriate as many of the mothers asking for the world's assistance are
just as colourfully dressed and  I hope the girls are found and are
able to grow to become happy, educated women too.

Last week one of my Stanford little ones sent me an email imploring me to support the #BringBackOurGirls campaign through a Change.org petition.  This cause is particularly close to her heart as like the girls abducted from Chibok Secondary School, she too is not only Nigerian, but also from the Northern region and Muslim.  She has benefitted from the power of education with it taking her to boarding school in England and to one of the best universities in the world.  She is able to be whoever she wants to be and has never been restricted by her faith or her gender.  She has blossomed uninhibited to be an accomplished independent young woman, in large part due to the support of her family in her endeavours. To witness what has happened at the hands of Boko Haram must be a pain that  is particularly acute for her to bear.  I immediately obliged and then thought what more can I do.

I had already been thirsting to know more, and was wondering why the world had not already covered it the way they had instantly reported on the recent MH370 plane crash, the South Korean Ferry disaster or the on-going political and ethnic unrest in Ukraine.  I think that this issue of human rights and terrorism affects the world as it brings to the fore the issue of human trafficking which has been plaguing world for centuries (albeit in different forms over time) and deserves the same coverage, if not more.   These heinous actions have now gone completely underground, yet millions of adults and children are plucked from their homes all over the world every year and sold and/or forced into some sort of servitude unbeknownst to the average world citizen.  Boko Haram knew this and completely exploited this opportunity to pluck girls so brazenly from the safety of their boarding school, and are proudly talking about this diabolical act and how they seem to have gotten away with it.

Pop culture has taken a stab at bringing this issue to light.  In Taken, a cult mainstream film, Liam Neeson's daughter is abducted in Paris and is drugged and sold for a rich man's entertainment aboard his yacht. He turns over every stone to find her in a manaical rampage.  I recently watched an indie, I am Slave, about a Sudanese girl who is stolen as a child and taken all the way to England with the family who own her.  They give the impression she is employed as a maid, but really has been taken against her will, and has grown up unpaid and worked like a horse.  Both movies rocked me to my core.  The thought of things like this happening as we go about life is extremely troubling and scary.  There are so many layers to our world, many unseen, sinister, and dangerous. 

None of the girls are so lucky as to have a CIA trained father to use his contacts and experience to free them, and luckily some of the girls were able to escape like the girl in I am Slave was eventually able to do. Fortunately, they have parents who love them, who are outraged that the Nigerian government and military did nothing to protect them even though there are reports that they were forewarned.  They started a social media campaign on Twitter through the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.  It has taken weeks for the world at large to respond.  Now the news is filled with colourful images of mothers in mourning.  I wonder whether they may have found comfort sooner, if Nigerian and global support had come earlier.

I have just heard about an event here in Lusaka to be held this Saturday, 17th May, from 09:30 to 12:00 at the Civic Centre.  The hope is to get Zambians more involved in helping and being more informed about the current situation and the larger issues the Chibok girls have brought to light.  There will be children marching in support and various knowledgeable people speaking about the issues at hand.

I will write more about this after the event and once I know more about what we are doing here in Zambia.  In the meantime, you can keep abreast with all information, social media and petitions to do with the Chibok girls at BringBackOurGirls.com and about the Zambia Cares campaign here.

#ZambiaCares #BringBackOurGirls event will be held on SATURDAY 17TH MAY, 09:00 - 12:00, CIVIC CENTRE, CHURCH ROAD, LUSAKA. All are welcome to attend and lend their support :)

Twit Tuesday: Inspire Abantu

© Chosa Mweemba of Fiahlink Photography
This photo was taken during #BeautifulLusaka Photowalk
around Lusaka's CBD in December 2013.  To find out more
check out Beautiful Lusaka campaign  Facebook and Twitter
and tfind out more about upcoming photowalks with
photographer Dan Hartwright

Inspire Abantu (abantu in Bemba means people) is a new Zed tumblr focused on putting out inspirational words, pictures, videos and art from Zambia to affect the world.  I was asked to write some uplifting words for the blog and happily obliged.  I am all for putting out positivity into the world.  Maya Angelou believes you should pick your words carefully as when you unleash them, they affect in ways we still do not fully understand, so be mindful of the damage they can do.  I write to soothe my soul and to quieten my spirit in the hopes that they may offer solace, healing and inspiration to others too.  Hopefully every now and again my amashiwi (words) have a positive effect :).

For my attempt to Inspire Abantu, click on the link below:

'Passion is the fuel for change, determination is infectious.'- @whoops_c Read more http://t.co/zs9gZLAqnE
— Inspire Abantu (@InspireAbantu) March 30, 2014

For more MbA inspiration check out the The MbA Way and  Inspirational/ Insightful Quotes tags on the blog. 

Siavonga Music Festival

Sundown, Siavonga aboard the
Southern Belle, Easter 2013

I spent last Easter on the Southern Belle, Protea's Hotel Boat on Lake Kariba in Siavonga.  I enjoyed a coupla sunsets on the water downing some rather tasty rainbow coloured sundowner cocktails.  This year,  to tempt me to make the trip down again on Easter weekend is the Siavonga Music Festival.

On Saturday, the Festival organisers gave us a taste of what is in store with a preview of some of their acts at Arcades Mall in Lusaka, including the classic Zed sound of recent Zambian Music Award winner Mumba Yachi, and Cactus Agony, an artist whom I have featured on the blog before.  The only disappointment was not getting a taste of what Pompi has in store, another artist already featured on the blog.  

Enjoy a song each from each of these artists and for more information about the Siavonga Music Festival in April, visit their website and for more Zed Music check out the music and African music and tag on MbA:

Things on Thursday: TAMBA - Love

Last month on Valentine's Day I was privileged to converse with a diverse group of beautiful, soulful and wise African women thanks to the affordances of social media, and technology's potency in this day and age.  It  never ceases to amaze me the way we continue to service our viscerally inherent need to communicate and share ideas through innovation and creation!  Just as we need food and drink to fuel and sustain life physically, our mind needs sustenance through connection, facilitated by our ability to express ourselves.  So what better way to launch Things on Thursday (the last of the day themes) with "this thing called love" he he he he ;}

Here is the video of the Google + Hangout, organised by the awesome ladies at Adventures From the Bedrooms of African Women, discussing the topic: the Metamorphosis of Love. Btw ukutamba in Bemba means to watch, hence the tag TAMBA which I am using to curate video content.

I warn you, my mic that day decided to go on strike, refusing to amplify my voice.  I have been told if you use your earphones and turn up the volume as loud as you can, you can hear me.

You can also check out my post on Valentine's Day that summarises some of my views on love, and my post with links to the other ladies' blogs.

Soul Food Friday: "Top 10 Posts" of 2013

As usual, I am rounding up the last year's top 10 posts. Soul Food Friday is a good day to reflect on the year past.  Unfortunately in 2013 I wrote even less than I did in 2012. Shame on me:  I only managed a paltry 16 posts!  I have vowed to stop the rot, and find a way to create a system that allows me to blog at least once a week, twice if I can to make sure that I have more to choose from (I have blogged about creating better life systems already this year here).  I also have to deal with my work-life balance.  Blogging for me is therapeutic and a hobby so I can't let my professional life drain me to the point I have no juice left in the tank to bang on my computer keys to compose word rhapsodies.  I think it is important to have a way decompress with fun activities that replenish your passion tank.  

So the top 10 will really be the top 7 plus a bonus: the profile of me in Kenyan onilne mag AfroElle celebrating Afropolitans around the world.  

1. A Tale of Self Motivation Through Video and Images

2. Twit Tuesday: Zed Childhood Trip Down Memory Lane

3. Happiness

4. Twit Tuesday Debut: Justin Timberlake Jimmy Fallon and #Hastags

5. Y Zed Series: Barefeet Theatre - A ROARing Good Time Part II

6. Nelson Mandela: A Selection of Quotes

7. Twit Tuesday: Asikana Network's First Connect Forum Zambia

8. AfroElle Magazine Afropolitan Issue p 46-49

If you can't access the magazine, you can read my article below (click on them to enlarge them):

Check out the Top 10 posts for 2012, 2011 and 2010 too :)! 

Twit Tuesday: Asikana Network's First Connect Forum Zambia

The first Connect Forum was held at New Government
Complex on the 13th of December 2013.

This is a Storify of my tweets during Asikana Network's first Connect Forum to bring women in technology together to network and learn from each other in Zambia.  It was a great event, especially as a few of my new girl crushes were present and imparted their knowledge :).

You can connect with Asikana Network on Facebook and Twitter as well as Connect Forum Zambia on Facebook and Twitter to keep up-to-date with upcoming events for women in technology.

Y Zed Series: Barefeet Theatre - A ROARing Good Time Part II

Part 1 of Roar Festival post includes recounting of Launch and insight into Barefeet Theatre.

Apart from witnessing a great funeral, the Lioness Concert finale at UNZA Goma Lakes was the perfect way to cap off a great festival experience.  I cannot do the night justice retrospectively with words methinks. Good thing I tweeted and took video with my digicam and so that is what I will use to chronicle the night :).

Have you gotten your Lioness #ROAR #barefeetfestival tickets? UNZA Goma Lakes @MsKkj @whoops_c @MatthewGrollnek there pic.twitter.com/HecIEXmXuY
— Project Cascade (@projcascade) August 31, 2013

Watching Lioness #barefeetfestival #ROAR soundcheck. Mutinta sounds great! @BarefeetTheatre @barefeetadam pic.twitter.com/yz9PCZKYqQ
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 31, 2013

@SeyaFK @ThePompi know they will #ROAR tonight! #barefeetfestival @BarefeetTheatre @MsKkj @MatthewGrollnek @atkabwe pic.twitter.com/gDLFg2eHib
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 31, 2013

"When the world is 2 much..." @ThePompi @SeyaFK y'all are 2 much. SING! Soundcheck exciting #ROAR @BarefeetTheatre pic.twitter.com/bxwUj8RwEB
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 31, 2013

Hope Masike during sound check with awesome finger piano: kalimba/ mbira at Lioness concert #ROAR @BarefeetTheatre pic.twitter.com/INAERIQrGF
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 31, 2013

Impact band warmed up crowd. Dude had serious moves @mwanabibi @lwangamwilu still recovering! #ROAR @BarefeetTheatre http://t.co/N6yadc7A3s
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 31, 2013

Exicusi me Mama Mwale/ is it Anna Mwale? Anna Mwale suprise Lioness concert #ROAR #Barefeetfestival @BarefeetTheatre http://t.co/ReUGwusa7T
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 31, 2013

Great performance from Mutinta #ROAR Lioness concert. Want her looks, voice and those trousers! @BarefeetTheatre http://t.co/ZpD1BXB1xk
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 31, 2013

@RandyMcLarenRM <3 #Zambia & nshima, we <3 #Jamaica & breadfruit. Powerful spoken word Lioness #ROAR @BarefeetTheatre http://t.co/Wp8C33TQgN
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 31, 2013

@ThePompi giant killer @SeyaFK angel! Gr8 beats worked out body & spirit lyrics nourished soul #ROAR @BarefeetTheatre http://t.co/FDoWyYbbWt
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 31, 2013

@HopeMasike ur voice! The trilling ululations dancing while playing mbira! ILELELELE LOLOLOLO #ROAR @BarefeetTheatre http://t.co/Sm9dwh24NK
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 31, 2013

My phone spazzed again but my digicam didn't. Thoroughly enjoyed Lioness #barefeetfestival #ROAR concert @BarefeetTheatre @barefeetadam xo
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 31, 2013

Y Zed Series: Barefeet Theatre - A ROARing Good Time Part I

From more information, visit
their website and connect with
them on Facebook and Twitter

This post was originally meant to be posted a week after event, then life got away with me.  This is how I felt at the time even though you are reading this months on. 

The first time I saw a Barefeet performance was last year at Manda Hill during their Christmas performance of the Snow Queen.  I had heard a lot about them, and they did not disappoint.  So when I was give the opportunity to have access to them before and during their ROAR Festival, I jumped at the chance to find out more about what they do.

I was immediately enchanted. I met Bernard, Victor and Amos during my first visit to their Thorne Park premises, all of whom benefited from Barefeet as children, and as young men have chosen to pay it forward by training to mentor kids who are growing up as they did.

I then got previews of the acrobatic tricks they were to perform.  You can see all of them on my YouTube Channel.

I then was kindly invited to the Barefeet Theatre ROAR launch at the Intercontinental.  The highlight of the evening was the Children's Council performance: The Funeral that they would perform again at the Festival during the week.  I happened to be dressed for the occassion in mostly black and was happy to be in attendance.  Here in Zambia, we have allowed ourselves to fall into a terrible malaise.  We mosey along, complacent about the daily inefficiencies, the lack of standards, and abuse thrown at us due to people no longer caring about the way they comport themselves personally or professionally.  I am constantly taking umbrage with something or someone and feel like a crazy old lady as everyone around me seems to be completely unaffected.  We have become so numb and unfeeling, accepting mediocrity as the norm.  Which is why I was refreshed and invigorated by these young guns, daring to speak up and out about what is wrong with their country and tell us exactly what should be done about it.  Here is what I tweeted as I was watching:

"I believe I can fly" youth performance addressing drug use, corruption, education, GBV #BarefeetTheatre #ROAR Launch pic.twitter.com/6UmLzOo44I
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 25, 2013

Glad @BarefeetTheatre using art to address discrimination against the disabled. Big issue in #Zambia. #BarefeetTheatre #ROAR Launch
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 25, 2013

YES! Kill #mediocrity. That's what #Zambia needs. Glad #Youth are at forefront of this message. #BarefeetTheatre #ROAR Launch performance
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 25, 2013

Attending the best funeral ever #BarefeetTheatre #ROAR Launch. Burying mediocrity and social ills! @BarefeetTheatre pic.twitter.com/13ne9tWaJo
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) August 25, 2013

Also got my first glimpse of Randy McClaren, the Dub and Reggae Poet from Jamaica, who was part of the cultural exchange element that Barefeet always include in their yearly Youth Arts Festivals. He really got me hooked on the idea of Creative Activism, a term I had not heard of, but really should have, as it encapsulates a professional goal in life. That is part of what Project Cascade is all about (over half the team was in attendance at Launch to show support). Video of him in Part 2.

The night then got picture (and) crazy.  This is what I mean: 

A great evening of #BarefeetTheatre with @whoops_c @mwanabibi @afrosocialite and @MsKkj #roar pic.twitter.com/9cucnSgmWX
— Lwanga Mwilu (@lwangamwilu) August 25, 2013

Lwanga claims she had the virgin punch and I believe her because I think this is what caused the wonky picture - a whole other kind of inebriation: punch drunk love he he he he (I couldn't help myself ;}):

Pompi!! *screams all over TL* @whoops_c @ThePompi @mwanabibi #BarefeetTheatre #Roar pic.twitter.com/V4xOVjyclu
— Lwanga Mwilu (@lwangamwilu) August 25, 2013

Part 2 on the ROAR Festival is the Lioness Concert experience in video.

Twit Tuesday: Zed Childhood Trip Down Memory Lane

My older sister, me,  my younger sister and my Aunty Stella.  Classic
African picture taking with a car.  Why do we love to do that?! ;}

I have always looked back fondly at my childhood in Zambia.  This picture was taken in 1989 before we moved to Kenya in 1990.  Even though we lived in a socialist country, with basic goods scarce, and as we transitioned to democracy, attempted coups and riots common, life was good.  I had (and still have) a loving family and was connected with my extended family in a way that has been lost due to the peripatetic Afropolitan lifestyle that evolved from 1990 onwards.  This Twit Tuesday is my favourite kind of mix: part insight, part nonsense.  Enjoy this storified curation of conversations I had with fellow Zambians about growing up in our beautiful country:

Twit Tuesday Debut: Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon and #Hastags

@jacqu3isawesome and I (@whoops_c) a day
later at BongoHive after  Asikana Network's
 film shoot with BBC Africa

 Let me preface this post by saying that yes, I have succumbed to Twitter, but no I will never be a Twit.  I need to reiterate that coz though Twitter has made blogging easier, it still can be the bane of my existence: for the last two weeks have been all up in Twitter for various media consulting gigs and almost okay, let's be honest, I lost my mind.  I could not be chagrined from from afar like before when I would tuka it while not on it personally.  It was all up in my face close!  Too close for comfort. While my views towards this social media platform have softened, I still maintain the view that much of what is curated on that site is created by Twits and is unnecessary communication stored in the ether.  However, I have decided I am a Twix, because I am chocolatey and hope I provide tasty morsels, be they insightful and/ or silly, for people to enjoy.  Plus, it sounds like something you'd call a midget like myself.  For y'all PC peeps, it sounds like something you would call someone who is vertically challenged, or if like me, you don't like that term as it sounds like you have something lacking, it sounds like something you'd call someone who's petite.  Gone all French and fancy on ya.  You're welcome ;}.

However, despite being a Twix I am debuting the Twit Tuesday tag as Twit sounds catchier and is more about capturing the silliness that can randomly magically occur on Twitter, that is unparalleled on any other social media platform I currently utilise.  This is the recounting of the welcome craziness that occurred mid-week, during the second week of my 12 day work week, that started two weeks ago.  At this point my social media use for work had reached fever pitch and I was constantly having nervous breakdowns from overexposure.  I will leave Twitter to tell the tale:

“@jacqu3isaweome: lol, #insane misuse of #hashtags lol @jtimberlake https://t.co/RbETdqQqjL” reason resisted Twitter tho worse on Facebook!
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) September 25, 2013

@whoops_c lol madness, they graduated from social media to reality... #showmethecookie..lol
— Jacque Haankwenda (@jacqu3isaweome) September 25, 2013

@whoops_c lol #thatIsJustPureInsanity #pointofnoreturn
— Jacque Haankwenda (@jacqu3isaweome) September 25, 2013

@whoops_c #iseizeToTemptThee #lestibepinnedforsendingyouonthatvacatiion #CH #airqoutes #sleepTight lol lol
— Jacque Haankwenda (@jacqu3isaweome) September 25, 2013

@jacqu3isaweome #nightnight #dontletthebedbugsbite #nomonstersunderthebed #youaretoooldforanightlight #keepingtorchbymybedfortoiletrunindark
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) September 25, 2013

@MissChissy of @AsikanaNetwork and
@lskglobalshaper joined in and we took a
 photo the next day to commemorate
the previous night's silliness :)

While Jacqueline set me off, another Asikana lady, co-founder and all around badass, Global Shaper Chisenga joined in releasing the cray cray in me.  As much as I appreciate her supporting me, this maybe was not one of those times she should have obliged.  Here is a recounting of the equally nonsensical, parallel convo that happened after Jacqueline set us all off.  Follow this kooky nut: Jacqueline is a breath of fresh air on Twitter.  A lovely young woman in person to boot :).

@whoops_c "#needahashtaglongenoughtofilltweet" hahahha #dead Sleep please! Kikiki
— Chisenga Muyoya (@MissChissy) September 25, 2013

@whoops_c Hahahhahah that is so true! #hashtagsarethedevil #airquotes #bunnyfingers #hahhahaha #Iloveyoungosa #we'llhaveanicefatchattomorrow
— Chisenga Muyoya (@MissChissy) September 25, 2013

@MissChissy ha ha ha and I lied I can top myself: to @jacqu3isawesome #needtomakeupforindequaciesspeakingbylookingsmartwithwittyhashtaguse
— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) September 25, 2013

(Non)Sense: Startup Hour TODAY 17:30 and Twit Talk

Yesterday I Twitter blasted, okay spammed he he he he, all my Zambian followers and those I follow to invite them to Startup Junction's first Startup Hour.  As a company part of Project Cascade, my company Purple Tembo is co-sponsoring the event with C1rca 1964.  As a passionate entrepreneur with a start up myself, this was a no brainer.  Personally, it is really important for me to engage with people from all walks of life, in all fields, as to continue to grow personally and professionally, I believe interaction, skills transfer and knowledge sharing are paramount to perpetuate evolution.  Remember keep growing up, don't grow up he he he as I have said before here and here.

While spamming I started a conversation with one of my followers, Charles Chitundu.  When you write, letting your thoughts and words float in the ether, you only hope that people read and actually take something out of it, while wondering if your humour resonates with others, bringing them the comic relief you intend: I am a devotee to the school of "Laughter is the best medicine". Though I tackle serious issues on this blog, I also want it to reflect my equally silly side that balances out the intellectual side.  It is important to be rounded methinks.  My favourite part of the blog is actually the Nonsense tag (which weirdly enough still hasn't overtaken the World Cup tag that started this blog off in 2010!).  I feel that the happier and carefree side of me has been in umbra lately, due to the specter of the dark side of uncertainty constantly looming overhead as I continue to fudge my way through establishing my business and coping with the dirty 30s, as a single woman, in a chauvanist society, that is still unaware of, and/ or has no idea how to deal with the both latent and blatant mysogyny that pervades every corner of our nation. I have blogged about this recently here and here.

I will leave Twitter to best tell the tale and enjoy the video at the end telling you why you should turn up for @StartupJunct #StartUpHr. Also follow @MatthewGrollnek, @PurpleTembo, me at @whoops_c, @c1rca1964, and @MsKkj to join in convo if you can't make it :). (And excuse my shifty eyes, we did so many takes I wanted to make sure I didn't miss my cue as I kept interrupting Matt.  Shameful seeing as I am meant to be the professional!)

“@charlyoficial92: just realised interacting w Author my of fav afroblog #Hugefan” 1st person to say that to me *blushing* Glad you enjoy it

— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) September 24, 2013

@charlyoficial92 ha ha ha that is one of my all time favs. Can you imagine still moving from same old generation bb to bb with new probs

— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) September 24, 2013

@charlyoficial92 at the time it was not funny, esp when I was escorted out like a criminal, and all the money I had was taken by flashmob!

— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) September 24, 2013

@charlyoficial92 @kellvinace right now don't have time to write a book even if I wanted to. Too daunting, having trouble blogging regularly!

— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) September 24, 2013

@charlyoficial92 thanks! Really do love writing, literally is cure for my nervous condition. One day will take up book challenge #bucketlist

— Ngosa Chungu (@whoops_c) September 25, 2013

He he he MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: a post that went from sense to nonsense that makes sense ;}!