The Protagonist and Her Prize: Namwali’s Bonhomie Homecoming

the Main Lick By. The Lord Kempson Ari weYulu

@ZambiazHarshTag ● @KempsonAri

kalembaweyulu.wordpress.com 

I was in Gray Matter (East Park Mall) and as is custom, I asked the man at the counter what he was reading. “Africa 39 (@Africa_39), an African anthology”, came the reply. Had he mentioned that it contained The Sack by a Zambian writer, I would have been compelled to probe further. Earlier that same morning in Mama Kapwepwe’s office, she had mentioned the winner of the Caine Prize (@CainePrize) for African Writing would be at Foxdale court (@FoxdaleCourt), an engagement I duly entered in my calendar and invited a friend to. I knew nothing of the author but with the famine of literary activity on the Zambian literary scene, my belly prompted me to ensure I sought the meal on offer with due diligence. Although the feast begun late due to the multitude that turned out prompting a sudden change of setting, I received the nourishment I sought and indulged in the wealth of knowledge that was provided (with all the trimmings) at with a gathering of great minds. With immense cheer under the moonlight we celebrated the home coming of a conqueror, a woman with an accolade she had received for her substance.               

The Lusaka Book Club (@LusakaBookClub) is testament that the myth of Zambians not being readers is a fallacy, and the audience held at Foxdale Court on the evening of 16^th of September was further validation of how far the Zambian craft and heritage has come and excelled. In her introduction of Ba (affirmation for the stripes she’s earned) Namwali Serpell (@snamwali), Mulenga Kapwepwe stressed in her capacity as the National Arts Council (NAC) Chairperson that it was exciting  times for Zambian literature and Namwali is a demonstration of the excellent quality that is on offer, and implored that the government (na munfwa Ba Boma) must take note.    

I’ve always avowed that the hallmark of a prolific writer is the ability to make people chortle

and suppurate with their implication of words. Through the actors in the story, the depths and core of the reader/listeners human condition must be pierced and with their proceedings reach the inner most being of the audience.  As it was no mere event, Namwali proved her mettle and rose to the occasion with an unexpected reading of something new and conveyed to the public for the very first time. Her courage must be applauded and was indeed rewarded when from the first syllable to the last full stop when you could hear but the song of a seasoned hummingbird in the cool of night serenade the lot. Her delivery of the excerpt from the yet to be published Harper Collins Reader, I Married Him (By Tracy Chevalier), was poignant with a complex well structured mêlée between man and beast with its harrowing and well layered spoken dialogue, setting the grey matter and ears that were present ablaze. Her art of storytelling is vivid and the coup de gras was the meticulous indigenous detail that made the story authentic and gave life to the elements and the environment. Her use of imagery was picturesque and with bold strokes delivered wit, with every charged measured breath as she delivered her offering. It was a great privilege as an avid benefactor to behold such a monumental occasion of which I shall speak to my offspring and kin in the future.               

It was a gathering of literary intellect which evoked bonhomie in the various minds 

congregated. Writer of Lusaka Punk Efemia Chela (@efemiachela)

(who is also part of the Caine Prize anthology) was also part of the collective their gathered. Other prominent heavy weights of written and print works and other artistic mediums included PEN Zambia President and renowned poet Nicholas Kawinga, (@Proflight) Nkwazi In-Flight

Magazine deputy publishing editor Samba Yonga (@Kuwaha), fashion designer and entrepreneur Towani Clarke (@TowaniClarke), and bloggers Imanga Kay

(@ikay2605), Chishimba (@PRgirlZed), Mwanabibi Sikamo (@mwanabibi), Silumesii Maboshe (@Silumesii), e18hteam film producer Ngosa Whoopi Chungu (@whoops_c) and journo Lwanga (@Lwangamwilu). It was a befitting and apt assembly indeed to honour a daughter and ambassador of the soil and motherland Zambia.

            

“All good writing is good writing, and all bad writing is bad writing”, she expressed. Writing is indeed a gift, the ability to give life to words, a calling which posses those it chooses to be vessels. The text or scroll is a forum used to articulate the human condition and society with it triumphs and ills, chronicles that outlive authors, a living tribute. It is privilege to be immortalized in word and an honor to be recognized by being bestowed with a literary accolade. Writing as other aesthetics, transcends the authors legacy beyond the grave. It is the rawness, sincerity, intensity and firmness in her voice when she read and the breaths of fluidity and synthesis with which words flowed from within her that I will most cherish about the audience with Namwali Serpell the Halfrican smartypants. Thank you for providing the cure to my ailment with the palliative of your writing. Ovation for the 2015 Caine Prize for African Writers winner and the inspiration she is to this generation.

For those interested in the activities of the Lusaka Book club, they meet every four weeks and the next meeting will be on the 26^th of September at The Deli. The book being discussed is, The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson.  

Namwali talks Jane Eyre, academics and answers questions of identity and method in An Intellectual Discourse: The Reflection Of Namwali at kalembaweyulu.wordpress.com

The Lack of Flavour’s At Rhapsody’s Lusaka Numbs Senses

the Review By. The Lord Kempson Ari weYulu

@ZambiazHarshTag ● @KempsonAri

T

he only memorable thing about the dinner service was the smile on the waitress’s face, alas I was still constipated at the time of writing this review. When waiting staff are gathered around the till like kids around a campfire and not waiting on patrons, you should be worried about dinner service. As I looked through the menu, the order was one espresso, 2 bottles of water and 2 glasses of dry red. 30 minutes later, the waiter (who cannot be called a sommelier) showed up with two glasses of sweet red and alarm bells went off to the first red flag. We overlooked the wrong beverage order as an honest mistake (Kermit) and waited another 15 minutes for the error to be sorted. 45 minutes later, we were ready to order.

 The order was very specific, 1 Seafood Duo with roasted vegetables, instead of Jasmine rice, 2 Seafood Pasta and 1 peri-peri Grilled Calamari also with roasted vegetables instead of Jasmine rice. The changes   were noted and the variation of Grilled Calamari with lemon butter or peri-peri is actually on the menu. We were in for a long wait, and as we waited the offer from the bread came. Even if the two other customers decline, if the menu is a la carte, the bread or bread rolls should come in a basket. One bread roll was unacceptable and beyond me especially with the prices on the menu. The chagrin of waiting was in vain when lo and behold the wrong order came. Apparently the chef does not know the difference between steamed and roasted vegetables, and lemon butter and peri-peri. The waitress was helpful and apologetic, and made valiant efforts to remedy the situation. However when we were told it would take 5 minute to remedy the situation (Kermit again), I raised an eyebrow. The dish would have required at least 15 to 30 minutes to remake, but was indeed back in 5. When a patron asks for hot sauce/Tabasco, you know the peri-peri has missed the mark. And then there was the sinking Seafood Pasta.

Overcooked and chewy calamari as well as unseasoned prawns (I could count the prawns “calamata” olives), the dish lacked depth and flavour. The spaghetti was not ala dente and the creamy white wine garlic sauce was anything but creamy, very forgettable. I would expect such standards from a mundane buffet but not from Rhapsody’s Lusaka that claims to be a fine dinning establishment. The bland food was the last straw and marked the anticlimax to an appalling dinner service.

I didn’t even bother with the doggy bag. Stingy with bread and breath mints, we got the bill and could not wait to escape the horror our taste buds had endured. 1 Fork out of 5 and only because the coffee just made the grade.

Change of Wardrobe: Le Closet Relocates

the Exclusive By. The Lord Kempson Ari weYulu

@ZambiazHarshTag ● @KempsonAri

T

here boutiques that sell cloths with brands and there lifestyle brands which transcend the mundane and excel in providing exclusive luxury garments, the latter is the one being fêted and toasted in this piece. A new chapter was written in the history of Zambian Fashion and that of an exclusive brand. On the eve of its 3^rd birthday, Friday the 11^th of September 2015, Le Closet changed its dress size from 7 Diamond Mall to 34C East Park Mall in true pomp and flair befitting the product, its clients and the store’s new location. As much as the old store and its rich history will be missed, fashion is about evolution at every level and as such change of location is a sign of growth which is no small feat but a milestone we must applaud and respect. Raise your glasses to the award winning indigenous enterprise that is Le Closet, as we toast to the new commode. 

Professionals, power women, artists and models all dressed in their favourite Le Closet frocks, strutted past the velvet ropes in solidarity and allegiance to a brand they love and value.

Model Hawa Fofana (winner of Face of Redd’s and long term client of the store) articulated that it’s the élan, comfort, versatility, and timelessness of the various garments that keeps her coming back to the store to stock and restock her wardrobe at Le Closet. Indeed each piece in the store is unique and offers something for the office, social events and everything in between,  even the kinky at heart will find an item to fuel their wild side (inner freak) *winks* le freak c’est chic. The milieu’s layout and décor and setting (which was put together in a record three weeks), has a distinct Paris metropolis feel with a hint of New York chic. The antique frames on the walls and the mirrors give the store depth and modishness without the feeling of clutter. The chandelier in the center of the room provides just the right balance and lighting, without being excessive but

exuding opulence.

          

The labels on the shoes, dresses and accessories all bear the name Le Closet, it’s not for show but merriment of the standard that the brand has set and continues to set on the Zambian couture scene. Celebrity clients who are styled by the store owners and wear the label include female rapper and model #NkaniYaLula(TheBerg) Bomb$hell

and songbird entrepreneur and radio personality #WomanToTheWorld  Zillah. Each item in the store is the innovation of the visionary sister duo of Pamela and Stephanie Chibwe, who work together and conceptualize the startling creations of their collections that are exclusive to the flagship store. Inspiring and timeless, their alluring couture chic is a breath of fresh air to the scene.     

Not only were customers treated to glasses of champagne,

they also received a 10% discount on selected items during the two days of festivities of the stores birthday weekend and rebirth. The smile and cheer on the client’s faces is testament to their satisfaction at the hallmark of the store which is the reassurance that from lingerie to shoes Le Closet has your entire covered. The owners are always on sight to provide you with that bespoke runway stone cold fox look which the store proprietors themselves spot, guiding and styling you as you shop, feel the cloths, try them on and guarantee you are satisfied. The address is store 34C East Park Mall if you have an appetite for that couture look and refined taste. Thank you for the invite and champagne ladies of Le Closet, Santé!