Poet Robert Chiwamba recently released a new spoken word titled “Mayi Anga Anali Mphunzitsi” in which he recounts the “nightmare” of being brought up by a Malawian teacher.
The spoken word, according to the artist is his last piece to be released this year having released “Mwina Ndinu”, “Anthu Amafika Potopa” and “Amuna Awo Nda Last Born”.
In a recent interview, Chiwamba disclosed that he was inspired by his childhood and what he and his siblings went through being sons of a teacher.
“My mom was a retired primary school teacher and looking at the complaints teachers have been advancing of late and remembering the life we led as children of a teacher, I thought of coming up with this 5-minute piece hoping for a change,” Chiwamba explained.
The Poem highlights a retired teacher’s life and it reveals the challenges teachers face and how as a country looked down on teaching as a profession.
He lamented on how most teachers live in pathetic houses as one of the challenges but continue to do their work in shaping other children’s future.
“Nyumba zodontha, zitseko zosakiyika zosamilitsira mipando mayi, Mipandoyo kukhala nayo ankakhala katapila mayi, Koma tsiku ntsiku tinkawaona ndi zochonga zambiri akuchonga mayi.
“Pension yawo kuyiona mutha kulira,” reads part of the poem.
In recent years teachers across the country have held demonstrations against the government on a number of issues ranging from long standing salary arrears, low salaries and poor working conditions.
Chiwamba added that he is set to release his 4th album in the coming year, 2021.
Stream and Download the new POEM here