The Village Chronicles with The Zambians
아프리카 이야기 살펴보기|The One with Süwi and Malimba — Exploring Our African Stories: Episode 29 (2023)
The Zambian dream: Get an education, get married, have three or four kids, buy a plot, and own a Toyota Hilux. It’s similar to the African dream, where parents aspire for their children to pursue high-paying careers, start families, own homes, and perhaps drive luxury cars. — Malimba (2023)
Going to school here, then to Canada, and returning has shifted my perspective. It’s like that Kendrick Lamar line: ‘I’m not on the inside looking out. I’m not on the outside looking in. I’m in the center looking around.’ I’ve experienced both sides, and now I’m in the middle, observing everything. This change has coincided with my personal growth and increased social awareness. The challenge for me is to figure out what to do with this newfound consciousness and awareness, and I try to challenge myself to make an impact every day. — Süwi (2023)
My birthplace is Nigeria, but I believe that I could have been born thousands of miles away if circumstances were different. My country has significantly impacted me, and I’m proud of certain aspects of it. However, I see myself as an individual first with unique values and beliefs. While there are similarities, don’t judge me solely based on nationality. Look at me as a person first, evaluate me by my behavior, and avoid making assumptions about how Nigerians or Africans are as a whole. This is why I appreciate podcasts — they provide a platform for people to share their stories, connect with others, and learn from different perspectives. — Mo!
Before we dive into this week’s show, I want to give a quick shoutout to Nosa Iyare and WaLusungu from Pod Break for making this collaboration possible. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to explore our African stories with them.
But that’s not all. We have even more exciting news: we won the APVA Diasporan Podcast of The Year award from the Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists (APVA)! This incredible achievement wouldn’t have been possible without your support, and I’m deeply grateful for every one of you.
Today, two unique guests are on the show: Mr. Süwi from Lusaka and Mr. Malimba from Solwezi, Zambia. They both grew up in Zambia and have been friends since high school. Together, they co-host and co-founded a podcast called “The Village ZM,” where they converse with people from different walks of life. Interestingly, their mothers went to secondary school together and are still friends.
We started by reminiscing about our favorite childhood memories. Mr. Malimba shared his fondness for the accommodating nature of everyone around him, while Mr. Süwi emphasized the openness and inherent friendliness of the people he grew up with.
We also discussed our interactions with Nigerians. Mr. Malimba shared an amusing story about initially misinterpreting his Nigerian housemate’s tone and later realizing it was his way of speaking. He also praised the exceptional hospitality of Nigerians and their direct and honest nature.
Next, we delved into the narratives and opinions about our countries of origin. I shared my experience promoting a positive image of Nigeria, and we agreed that “countries are countries, people are people.”
We then discussed the economic issue of brain drain in our respective countries. I highlighted the push and pull factors leading to brain drain in Nigeria. Mr. Süwi and Mr. Malimba shared their perspectives on Zambians rarely migrating but sometimes leaving for opportunities elsewhere.
We touched on the concept of “the Zambian dream” and how it differs from “the Nigerian dream.” We also explored the declining birth rate in Zambia and its implications.
Discussing the challenges faced by our generation, Mr. Malimba revealed his nostalgic tendencies, often immersing himself in the past. In contrast, Mr. Süwi emphasized the importance of embracing change and globalization.
As Africans, we shared how our experiences have shaped our worldview and perspectives on cultural and social issues. Mr. Malimba discussed the awareness and sense of responsibility his podcast brings. Mr. Süwi described his perspective as being in the center, looking around, after experiencing life in Zambia and studying in Canada.
We concluded by discussing the values of their podcast, “The Village ZM” which focuses on conversations with people. Mr. Malimba posed three questions to me:
What would I tell my younger self?
What was I known for in primary school?
What is my favorite thing about podcasting, including winning the APVA award?
In response, I emphasized the importance of living in the moment, enjoying small victories, and not being too hard on oneself. I also shared that I was known for being vocal and standing up for justice in primary school.
My favorite thing about podcasting is bringing people together, sharing their stories, learning from them, and now, the incredible recognition we’ve received through the APVA award.
That’s a wrap for this week’s More Sibyl Podcast. I hope you enjoy this episode. Until next time!
🅻🅸🅽🅺🆂:
Listen: https://bit.ly/SuwiMalimba2023
Download: https://bit.ly/SuwiMalimba2023DL
Or on the website: www.mosibyl.com
Buy Mo! some coffee: https://ko-fi.com/mosibyl
https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/06/27/the-challenges-of-male-friendships/
The Village ZM Podcast: