Page 326 - Volume 2_CHANGES_merged_with links

ɡ
m̩ 'zuŋ u memories of the Christian Church in Africa

walk softly, go quietly and you wlll see...

Then exactly to the minute the bus stops to let this 'priest' off. And in perfect timing, a

bus plying the same route but in the opposite route appears. This bus assures him of his
return to Blantyre...and a second opportunity to emotionally, religiously blackmail poor people

to give him money.

And of course, it’s clear that this is a regular event. Thought through. Executed to a
timetable.

*****
Richard is a local African who asked me to help him. Richard was the son of a rich local man.
His father was a 'parish chairman'. This is a position of little or no importance in the UK but of

great power in a local African community.
The father had made his wealth by going across the border into Rwanda in the

immediate post-genocide period. His business revolved around paying Rwandans a low price

for foods and other supplies distributed by aid NGOs and then returning to his own country
and selling these items at a higher price.

As a 'parish chairman,' Richard's father wielded a range of powers. Not least of this was

his role as the first level of magistrate. One way or another, it’s not unreasonable to view
Richard's father as being akin to the medieval local 'lord of the manor'. Someone it pays to

keep on the right side of.

Richard asked me to attend his fathers 'thanksgiving'. This was to be a church service
presided over by the Bishop.

All African church services are colourful and engaging. This one even had karaoke.

And there were three different money collections. And unless you were one of the VIP guests,
ɡ
m̩
such as the only 'zuŋ u in attendance, people handed over the donation by lining up down
the nave and as they approached the Bishop at the front of the church handing in full view
their own personal contribution.

ɡ
m̩
And so it was that this 'zuŋ u witnessed the sight of the poorest African villagers, who
could not possibly give offence by not attending, handing over a small clump of vegetables,
yanked from the little plot of land that is expected to provide everything they need.