About Malawi
Malawi is a south-east African country bordered by Zambia, the United Republic of Tanzania and Mozambique. It is narrow and landlocked but has a 750-kilometre-long border with Lake Malawi (also called Lake Nyasa). It has highlands, central plateaus and isolated mountains. The East African Rift Valley runs through the country from north to south.
Region
Language
English is the official language of Malawi. Other major languages spoken include: Chewa, Yao, Tumbuka.
Population
19.1m (2022)
Area
118,500 square kilometres
High Commissioner
His Excellency Dr Thomas Bisika
Capital
Lilongwe
Joined Commonwealth
1964, following independence from Britain
Top Exports
Episode guests
Tendai M. Shaba
Renowned Malawian poet and activist. Author of Moments to cherish (2020) and A lady in a yellow dress (2023).
Tendai is a shona language given name meaning ‘Give thanks to God’ or simply, ‘Be thankful to God’.
Tendai M. Shaba is a Malawian author of Moments to cherish (2020) and a lady in a yellow dress (2023), a poet, activist and spoken word artist. As an activist and creative consultant, he has worked with local and global organizations. He has officially been involved as an activist in various campaigns – mental health awareness, women and youth empowerment, Gender Based Violence elimination, labour and productivity, climate change and safe motherhood.
Tendai’s work touches on meaningful and positive daily life experiences to feed our spirituality and soulfulness.
In 2023 he collaborated with the former President of Malawi, Dr Joyce Banda, on a new poem which addresses gender gaps ahead of international women’s day 2023. He has previously collaborated with Malawi’s African-pop star, Dan Lu in a poem titled ‘What I Need’ which encourages people to reciprocate the love they receive.
A lady in a yellow dress
Tendai M. Shaba brings you his second poetry book, A Lady in A Yellow Dress. This collection of poems is written to inspire positive thoughts and feelings and overall positive emotional wellness.
The colour yellow is often associated with sunshine and happiness. These poems are written to inspire good emotional health for all who seek sunshine and happiness within themselves. As much as we are inspired by the good and beautiful things around us, our focal point of inspiration is the lady in a yellow dress.
I Am A Strong Woman, Still
When she said
Being a strong woman can be tiring
I felt that, I’m sending you hugs
She then said hugs aren’t enough
I need to be under an umbrella of hope
To ensure the security of my thoughts
And feelings
I need a shield against self-doubt
I need my peace and sanity
I need my comfort and stability
In those moments when fear creeps in
When I become anxious
And cry myself to sleep
The source of my strength is deep
But sometimes I feel weak
Being a strong woman can be tiring
But I keep going, I keep moving
My strength is real
Because God gives me strength
I am a strong woman, still
From his poetry collection A Lady in a Yellow Dress.
Available to buy at Amazon.
