An impression of Samba Yonga.

Woke up feeling way too artful today.

For my muse!

Bae, the fresh scent of roses and orchids signalling the break of spring on a warm morning. The sweet melody of birds chirping to welcome the season and the picturesque savanna showing the beauties of our motherland.

The Chingola – Solwezi road squabble!

“Can someone tell these people to stop hoodwinking the people; it is not a good game, it is not funny!”, that was my uncle talking about political parties that make fake promises about doing something about the Chingola - Solwezi road, year in.

“The Chingola – Solwezi road requires reconstruction, i.e. complete replacement with a new state of the art modern road, not rehabilitation again like it is reported on ZNBC television. I believe the North Western Province region itself can fund this undertaking, can it not? We have heard these pronouncements before; I only hope they are serious this time. Let’s face it; this is the life line of the nation! Any disruptions on this road could have serious repercussions on the country’s economy”

People's cries, like my uncle's, seem to have rung loud enough. Woke up today to the news that finally something will be done about the current state of the road.

Thumbs up to the incumbent, as it seems that his recent visit to the Province to plea with the biggest investors has borne fruit.

Well done!

Open plan homes and Zambia!

"Things that are not popular in Zambia, and why? ....and open plan homes simply because of our culture." (thezambianarchitect.wordpress.com)

My pal, Musonda Chilanga begins by mentioning vending machines and working payphones in the quest to answer his own question, but what is relevant to this platform is the house planning aspect which he later states. He further goes on to state just how far house design and planning has come in layout, from long hallways and dark rooms to be replaced with half walls and naturally lit spaces.

All in all, Musonda tries to explain why the open plan design cannot and will never work in Zambia. His head is in the right place however way you look at this, and the reasons for this are simple (please check his blog) but what resonates the most with me is that these schemes have been tailored for the Western culture and therefore imposing them on our Zambian culture would only prove futile.

Please be sure to read his blog on WordPress, it makes for a good read as he puts up some very good thinking points.

Forgive yourself.

Some of the greatest advice I ever heard came as a kid, and it's that the past will hurt you but it's all on you to either let it break you or make you. I relate with that to this day.

Living for tomorrow.

You're my now, my present, my today and my tomorrow. They can take away yesterday which we didn't share but they can't take away tomorrow. They can't take away all the hopes and dreams for tomorrow, the hopes and dreams for the future. You'll always find my footprints in the sands of your tomorrow.

The other face of Architecture.

Just one of the reasons I love what I do, Architecture, it has the muscle to be altered beyond recognition, and therefore making it difficult for some to call development, it actually becomes a sequence of destructions: a destruction of culture, values… and especially, the beautiful memories of the locality it is built in.

Only in Zambia!

Today at the bank, so there I was busy minding my own business waiting for my turn to be served, and right ahead was a man withdrawing what looked like 5 000 kwacha (that's me guessing, it might have been more - there's no way to be sure.)

He was told that the bank didn't have envelopes (banks should never run outta stationary) so what does he do? He walks out of the bank with the cash in his hands, like a boss.

This procession left jaws dropping as he smiled and waved at someone he knew.

I still don't know whether to applaud him or call him stupid.

You gotta love my people.

It's A Family Affair.

Love it or hate it, it's forever yours to have and to hold.

It's your cross to bare for some, but family is meant to be your escape, your haven away from life's hustles and bustles.

It's your rock when you slip and step into quicksand territory, and also the one to bail you out of contracts with the devil.

Family is the one to pick us up from rock bottom and to engrave on us "society worth."

It's anything but blood, family is about love and respect. It goes beyond skin deep. No one family advocates for enrolment for membership nor knows any limit to that membership.

Any one family not realising this will never know the true worth and importance of a genuine family.

Pocketful of Sunshine.

My pocketful of sunshine. A sunshine with the brightest rays flooding through life's clouds on a gloomy day to see me through my darkest tunnels. My leading light. The light I want. The light I need. The light that casts a shadow to protect me, a shadow that embodies you, because with it I know that you're always with me, standing right beside me and me with you. I'll forever keep you full in my pocket.

Self Maintenance.

Keeping fit is self love. Work out and eat well to feel good.

Take a walk. Go for a run. Go for a swim. Stand most of the day. Mow the lawn and rake it. Wash the car.

Eat your veggies. Cut down on soda. Drink light beer.

You look good and you feel good.

Twisted desire!

I don't want your love because love is too pretty. I want the ugly. I want the horror and I want the real. I want your everything as long as it's free.

I don't want your love because love is pretence. I want your disease. I want your drama because you're a Queen. I want your madness as long as you're mine.

I don't want your love because your love is too pretty. I want your delusion. I want you and I to put on the greatest tale ever told.

The Man Who Can't Be Moved!

You can travel to see the Northern lights or the Southern lights or the Eastern lights or the Western lights... but staying here in this empty space where we first met is what I'll have to do waiting for you just in case you get up one day missing me. I'll be here standing in the rain. I'll be here standing in the cold. I'll be here standing in the sun. I'll stand my ground. I'll be camped here until you change your mind and come back to me. Maybe I'll get famous as the man who can't be moved. Maybe you'll hear about me. Maybe you'll see me on the telly but I won't move until you come back to me.