The horror of insurgence

The rebels struck again. It was sudden and unexpected. The temporary dwellings within the vicinity were shattered. The grass thatched huts were set ablaze. The residents lost most of their treasured belongings.

It was around midnight when the rebels came. Wailings of women and children prevailed the scene. Incessant shots of guns rend the air sharply. It was all a dramatic fray of terror and fear.

Yakubu took his three little boys and his expectant wife and rushed them through the darkness. His major concern was their safety. Though, his only daughter had been abducted by stray rebels, there was no use crying over spilt milk. He only contemplated how they would find their way to a safe hiding without confronting the rebels.

He hurried his wife and kids down the terrain to the jungle. He prayed earnestly to the God he knew to camouflage them from the vigilance, terror and defiance of the rebels.

Few months ago, when they struck again, they slit open the womb of the chief’s expectant wife. They forced the chief to consume the foetus. When he disrespected their orders, they struck a bullet into his head. It was terrible.

Many other displaced families joined them on the way. The horror was felt in their uneasy breathing and sobbing. Children's cries prevailed the atmosphere. Their peace had totally been disgruntled.

The night was haunted by the terror that ruined their lives.

Government troops had done very little to arrest the unrest. They too, feared the insurgents for they were not only inadequately equipped militarily, but they were also poorly paid. The rebels thus reigned supreme. They abducted many children and took them to fight for their cause. They killed those who attempted to escape. They took the little girls and and beflowered them.

The horrified families wound their way into the jungle. That’s where they would stay-with wild animals and birds till the day the rebels would be wiped from their lives.

The following day, the government troops emerged from their hiding place. Three military helicopters hovered over the jungle. A fourth helicopter roared before the rest. It belonged to a Humanitarian Organisation. At last, some hope was restored to the hearts of the dejected families.

As usual, they would be taken to stay in camps where there were no schools, no food, no houses and other vital necessities of life. It was a sad relief, though. They had no option. Their safety lay in the hands of the troops and the Humanitarian Organisation.

At the camp, they were met by more horrified faces of the victims of the rebel insurgence. ‘What were they thinking of?’ Peace would never be restored in their land. For more than two decades now, they have seen no other kind of fate apart from this which ate their lives.

Nevertheless, the camps offered some relief. Some families found their loved ones. Yakubu was a victim of such luck. A broad smile spread on his face when he caught sight of his only daughter. He knew she had been abducted. Fate had abducted her to safety. He embraced her gorgeously and waited to hear her story. His family had at last regained their peace after finding their loved one.

Joshua Masinde

Commonwealth Short Story Prize goes to Zambian

The winner of the 2007 commonwealth short story competition has been announced. Ellen Banda-Aaku from Zambia was pronounced both the overall and regional winner (Africa) for her story, Sozi's Box. She takes home 2000 pounds.

Her winning entry was selected from more than two thousand submissions.

Twenty five other writers from across the Commonwealth have also won prizes in the 2007 competition.


The prize was established 11 years ago with the aim of increasing appreciation between different Commonwealth cultures. The competition is sponsored by the Commonwealth Foundation and administered by the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA).

EllenBanda-Aaku was, on Monday 19 Nov in Kampala and on Wednesday 21 Nov at Makerere University Main Hall, announced as the overall winner of the Commonwealth Short Story Competition by the CBA.

Sozi's Box, her winning entry, examines the themes of loss and disability as seen through the eyes of a child at her brother's funeral.

Ellen was born in the UK. She grew up and went to University in Zambia. She has BA in Public Administration and an MA in Finance and Social policy. Currently, she is doing an MA in Creative Writing at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Her children's book entitled, "Wandi's Little Voice", published by Macmillan UK, won the 2004 Macmillan Writers prize for Africa in the New Writer Award category. She was one of the panel judges for the 2006 Macmillan Writer's Prize for Africa competition.

Four regional winners are:
Catherine Palmer (New Zealand), Australia and the Pacific Region for "Bushwoman", Emily Pedder (UK), Europe for "Days Are Long", Hema S. Raman (India), Asia for "Where Do I Belong?", Sarah Totton (Canada), Canada and the Caribbean for "The Man With the Sea Horse head".

The winners of Highly Commended stories are:
Molara Wood (Nigeria) for "Trial By Water", Wame Molefhe (Botswana) for "Six Pack", Linda C. Saunders (South Africa) for "Never Put Your Hand in a Dog's Mouth", Eunice Tan (Australia) for "In Transit", Robert Carter (Australia) for "Heaven", Bruce Riddell (Australia) for "Do Not Disturb", David Campbell (Australia) for "Zuka's Gift", Paddy O'Reilly (Australia) for "The Passion Fruit", Ash Rehn (Australia) for "The Hook-Up", Ditta Sylvester (Jamaica) for "The Last Ride", Katherine Atkinson (St. Lucia) for "The Village Voice", Darryl Berger (Canada) for "Scissors", Stewart Boston (Canada) for "Melnyk Comes Home", Carin Makuz (Canada) for "Kick", Donna Tremblay (Canada) for "Leaving", Manasi Subramaniam (India) for "Arranged Marriage", Aniruddha Sen (India) for "A Win-Win Game", Ashwini Gowariker (India) for "A Good Night's Work", Rayika Choudri (Pakistan) for "Underneath the Sky", Faye Davies (UK) for "The Flying Carpet", Juliet O'Callaghan (UK) for "In Arms."

Women should boldly march into the hunting woods

What do women really want? Do they want everything that the men have? Perhaps, it is true they admire and wish to have much of what the hoarse-voiced species have, save the elongated glands in between their counterparts’ legs. But, some would boldly wish to share in this prerogative.
The affirmative action is a typical example of women’s protracted urge to want to have what we men have. Let’s talk from a realistic point of view. The affirmative action was a little known animal until the time the women realised they could as well eat chicken like the male folks. It took them to Beijing just in pursuit of some of the copies of prerogative that men have.
There came the kimansulo. This was perhaps propelled by immoralistic instincts. It was a ‘negative’ step towards women deliverance movement. I don’t know nor care whether or not kimansulo still does exist.
Then there was one of the most daring moves towards feminine liberation. The outset of the vagina monologue comes to mind. What do we call this? Should the young ones grow up while knowing that vagina monologue is or was the sweet and honey with which to woo emancipation out of the woods? Then, where does our fate lie? As your reminder, the V collapsed empires. It buried and continues to bury careers at the wake of each day. Though, it could be the one of the most powerful tools that could be used to pave way for the success of the affirmative action, it seems to have been grounded already. I no longer hear rumours about the V monologue.
From a conservative’s point of view, most of such prospects are unrealistic. The affirmative action cannot be fully realised by staging such weird revolutions amongst our womenfolk every other day, be it in the August House, through activism etc. The revolution must come from the angle of love. The love revolution is a better option. And perhaps, as the women know, it is easily attainable through the man’s stomach (not the only avenue). Feed him well and he’ll give you the little space you’ve always yearned for. Love him like a child and he will lose his mind.
It might be hard for the conservative to give away such little freedom they have in the guise of affirmative action. But, it can be done in a strategic and gradual process by imparting the reason for liberty in their psyche.
From a liberalist point of view, for which I am, it is easy. Let’s make bows, arrows, spears, and machete for the women and sent them to the forest to hunt. Let them continue fighting for their rights. That is the initial step towards attaining the concepts of affirmative action. Isn’t that right? Let them have their pick from within the woods of freedom. That is where the struggle begins.
From the same point of view, I am yet to see a woman, real African lady, come to me boldly and emit the sweet and lovely venom: “I have a crush on you. I want to be your woman.” Or it could be more lethal or healthier when the assertion becomes bolder: “I want to marry you.” Perhaps, wait shall I. I hope I won’t be in bad mood. I pray the assertion won’t be in bad faith.
Since most men wish to be treated like kids, then who should do it? It is the pro-affirmative action activists. Let them treat their bearded partners like kids and they shall indeed gain access to the prerogatives they have envisaged for times historical. They will walk like their counterparts and there will be no problem with that.
On a ‘serious’ note now, for those on whose heads many cows have been paid, they should be courageous enough to return them. What a bold move to our women’s liberation movement that will be? We shall throw all care to the wind and play the same fiddle with them. The men folk will continue allowing them in drinking joints. They will let them sip the mental poison together as the children and the homes take care of themselves.
However, this will not really work. They can’t really have their cake and eat it at the same time. From time immemorial, our societies have borne patriarchal colours. But, it seems at the end of the day, women would wish to see to it that the society becomes matriarchal.
They have followed their men to the gym and are seriously earning strong muscles. When they come back home, they train blows on their men as if those are the best punching bags they could ever have.
Do we men really think we are strong? We lost the battle. Those who rule us are our women, not we men. Past media reports revealed that China’s Chongqing’s city plans to build a town dedicated to women at its Shuangqiao District. While in "Women's Town," men will have to obey their wives or girlfriends' orders, satisfy their every demand. If not, they should anticipate punishment without mercy.
The slogan "women are never wrong; men can never refuse their needs" will be put at the gate, to greet men as they enter. Any man who tries to argue and oppose this rule will be punished by kneeling on a hard board or washing plates for local restaurants.
According to the plan, justices and a court will be set up in the town to "lash" male tourists who do something to make women unhappy. For instance, if men can't quickly satisfy their partner's desire for a particular food or cosmetic, they may be sentenced to be lashed by the justice. The lash, however, is specially-made and described as "soft" enough not to hurt them. We men are already at their mercy.
That is not enough. Our women need to realise that they are already dominant. The first is that the masculine species desire them a lot. They bear insatiable thirst for these feminine species. So, if they run away, the bearded creatures become a miserable lot.
The women are the ‘dominant sex.’ They can endure long without men. There are cases of single mothers who have no problem with remaining the way they are. On the contrary, a bloke whose better half passes away will marry forthwith.
In another situation, if a bloke and a woman are subjected to similar hostile conditions like starvation, no water, no shelter and tough climatic conditions, the bloke will succumb to the harsh conditions first as opposed to the woman. Thanks to nature, the woman will still be alive and kicking to bury the bloke. Who’s stronger now?
The strength of a woman…. Shaggy sang the same... is the strength that most men overlook. Such strength is eminent in the likes of Wolfwitz saga, Clinton-Lewinsky saga, the Biblical Samson and Delilah etc.
Soon, the women folk have strapped themselves in the jalopy to seek for the political cake. They are ever asking for special seats in the August House. Let them go to the people and seek their mandate. Since they are ‘stronger’ than us, no silver platter goodies are available at the moment. Not anymore.

Joshua Masinde

Is this relationship for adventure or for convenience?

A normal human being (man or woman) has their own perfect partner somewhere. It is the same reason why we were created. The saying, every dog has its own day, cannot be more correct.
But, since most of us are not prophets, we always more often envision short term prospects or indulgences that we feel will give a bit of colour to our life. This is common in the manner of how most relationships are conducted.
You might find a young lad or lady seriously soliciting for a relationship that (s)he knows won’t stand the test of time. They simply aim to express their commitment to a short term target while bearing in mind long term targets with someone they’ve perhaps never met or seen. They indulge in relationships of (in)convenience. At the back of their mind, they know it is not really necessary since their dream partner hangs somewhere in the paradise of their imagination.
It is for this reason that most of such culprits will solicit for ‘serious’ advice before they resort to commit in such short term relationships.
The most abused advice they are told is: ‘If you want to eat a pig (sorry to our Muslim brothers and sisters), pick the fattest one. Reason, if you are the ever-hungry type and there seems to be no other alternative meal for the rest of your life, you will crunch this one and one only.
What does this mean? In some cases, especially where the lad or lady can’t just stand the test of his or her desires, they are often told to hook the lovely type. They should hang out with one who suits their dream partner. Whenever the craving strikes, they quell it with such dream partner while knowing there will not be any regrets in case the lady conceives out of wedlock. Does this really make sense?
This is for that young man out there. You might be doing all sorts of crazy things behind the scenes, for which sleeping around is one of them. But, will you really account for and boldly assume responsibility for your actions when your dealings come to the broad daylight? Will you courageously take that madam that you have impregnated before your parents and claim that the growing seed in the womb is your making? Will you accept the responsibility without second thoughts or without pressure or force? On the contrary, will you be the Shaggy type: ‘it wasn’t me.’
Since you feel that the victim of your desires does not suit your taste after she becomes pregnant, you think it is none of your business. Then, if you can’t mind this business, it is illogical to indulge in such relationships of convenience.
If you know you aren’t ready to take responsibility of your secret mis-dealings, then don’t simply commit to short term relationships. Don’t simply be a betrayer to your partner, unborn baby, or some other actions you must have engineered.
If you can’t really persevere the flame, then marry. Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians asserts that if you burn with passion, it is fitting for you to marry. But, this reason should be accompanied by rational thinking. You could as well remain single for which most of you dread. If you can’t just like most of you are, you could have a healthy relationship that will build you for the future.
If you already made a mistake in the process of your short term relationship for convenience’s sake, don’t worry. Soldier on. Be proud that your pig is fat. Though you have already slipped, you will still have the haunt track you wherever you go or whatever you think. Keep it. Don’t go out looking for that other Mr. or Miss Right. It won’t just work out. Keep the one you started out with. You are the one who either used or misused that person. Don’t bury your head in deep waters.
Another bolder question comes into focus about indulging in an adventurous relationship for convenience’s sake. It encompasses short term gain, long term loss. It is as bold as it is. Such a phenomenon has mutated into the cross-generational sex. It is absurd. It is rather senseless if the young lad or lady allows herself or himself to be the material for which the recycling of old materials is conducted. It is so senseless for a lady or lad worth their beauty, tender age, charm and brain to go for someone as old as their uncle/aunt, father/mother or grandfather/grandmother for reasons that comply with their materialistic instincts. Old wine should not be put in new bottles. Neither should new wine be put in old wine skins. The Son of Man was very clear on this.
The older generations should be the caretakers of the younger generations. They should not look down at the young generations as consumable commodities. For sure, the young generations should be let to explore and discover each other. Such is the experience that the sugar daddies or sugar mummies have already undergone. It makes not sense when such creatures defy their common senses in order to vent their desires and lust for the young ones.
It is absurd to indulge in such short term relationships just for the sake of it: be it financial, convenience or for experience’s sake. It makes no sense. It is tantamount to consuming ones own offspring. Shame on such perpetrators. I highly condemn their transgressions.

Joshua Masinde

Is internet dating a myth to believe in?

The fast-paced, busy and highly demanding lifestyles have altered much of the conventional order of dating. The conventional art and magic of dating is facing the axe of technology and the changing times.
Can you contend with the demystifying lose of beauty of words that characterised conventional dating and courtship? A young man would take time to compose the sweet love lullabies he never before knew. Armed with courage, confidence, and pride, he would waylay a lady on her way to the river. From there, he would use the magic of words to woo her to love him. Such was a fine art of creativity and imagination that thrived on mutual appeal and consent.
But, today is not yesterday. When the neo-technology reared its startling head into our lives, things have turned upside down. Well in Africa, we could be the adversely affected since we are always on the receiving end.
A mere click of the mouse will unleash numerous windows before you. It is your democracy to take your pick.
The allure of internet dating is not an elusive intoxication. It is compulsive and tempting at the same time. Often, you will find people of all ages trying out numerous dating sites. Some do this out of fun, others out of curiosity. Others are in it because they’d like to meet that Mr. or Ms. Right. As usual, there are those who use it as a money minting venture.
Credit goes to the creative and tireless minds that keep on designing numerous sites for the anonymous consumers. They come in handy: lovepot.com, friendfinder.com, letsdate.co.ca, penbuddies.com, passion.com, dating.com. The list is endless. Even different media outlets have joined the trade to give their consumers a taste of such type of dating. Flipping through the pages of newspapers, magazines just like clicking on the mouse for your ideal match, the catch-line will lay bare before you such anecdotes:
I am a 27 year old loving, caring, passionate Caucasian lady. I neither smoke nor drink. I’d like to get in touch with a man who possesses similar attributes with whom to share fun and the world ahead.
On such a by line, whether or not accompanied by a photo, the click of the mice will reign supreme. Guys will try their best to get in touch with such a prospective lover. However, most of them are out to enjoy a brief session of passion.
Tony, a student at MUK, will not let such a by-line to pass un-clicked. He seems to be obsessed with dating on the net. He’ll do anything to ensure he secures space in front of a computer in the cyber café to communicate with his net lovers. He believes in dating as many women as possible. If chance comes his way, he will get to meet some of them and have fun. That is what he has sacrificed much of his time to do.
Onex(pictured right), a student and a part time Literature teacher, is pessimistic about internet dating.
“You don’t know whom you date. You could date a devil worshiper and you will regret,” that is what has kept him off internet dating.
How effective and fulfilling is internet dating? More often, the myth of pessimism is always demystified when once upon a time total strangers get to see each other after dating on the net. Success stories will role of the tongues of the new love encounters who started it all on the net.
Such a success story from the likes of Alan on matchfinder.com.au could appeal to a lonely lad to try out their luck:
Thank you very much for your service. I have met a very lovely lady and she has agreed to be my girl-friend. So we have had some fantastic dates.
But, in most cases, those who date on the internet are usually geared towards romance with whichever match they’d like to date. It is hard to sustain such types of relationships especially after the first encounter. The two new ‘lovers’ are nervous to experience more of each after several more encounters. And, the relationship could be headed to the dogs when the goal of romance has been achieved.
Internet dating has a brand of its own risks. In the first place, you don’t know whom you are dating. It could be the most wanted criminal who would like to be your associate. It could be internet fraudsters who’d like to gain access to your bank account and empty it.
There are those ‘dates’ who would rather claim your life and keep theirs safely. The case of Raymond Merrill (www.wildxangel.com) is testimony to this. He is said to have the attractive attributes by a woman’s standards.
“He was financially well off, self-sufficient, good looking and ripe for the picking. So what went so horribly wrong? Raymond Merrill is dead. Drugged, Robbed and murdered for his money by his online lover and her real life boyfriend.”
However much internet dating seems to be a modern allure and to some, a better past time, it has its own risks involved. That is why, a warning or a precautionary note will always be availed for your consumption before you take a step to the tragedy. You will often be warned to meet in public with the stranger date of yours. You will be asked to inform your family members or close friend with whom you will hang out with and the venue. You should be suspicious of your date unless you don’t have to. Perhaps, don’t stay out late into the night. It might just be unhealthy for you.

Joshua Masinde