Brother Simeon Banda in Mozambique
| 15:37 UK time, Friday, 6 April 2007
I am Brother Simeon Banda, born on 14th June, 1958, in Kasungu District, Malawi. I grew in a rural village and was initiated in the chewa chulture. In 1970 I went school at a late age. I could not go to secondary immediately after completing eight years of primary schooling. I damped the whole hope of going far with school....
But 3 years later a passer-by called my attention to go abck to school and I took his advice seriously. I later landed in catholic Secondary school and completed in 1986. I was much interested and at the moment too is religious and political issues and moral issues too.
As of now I am religious Brother belonging to the International Order of the Marist Brothers and I am teaching the Brothers to be here in Matola, Mozambique.
I often listen to WHYs on ´óÏó´«Ã½ radio and get some information through email messages.
I like the views people worldwide have on pressing issues especially abuse of human rights which we often see on TV. I would say in all I enjoy all the ssues raised and feel impressed on how people look at the same issues with different worldviews. They express our uniqueness in reacting to similar issues.
I would love more on moral issues especially those that deal with abuse of human rights and abuse of power through intimidation, violance and oppression.
I would love the church to be the voice of the voiceless especially where human life is threatened.
In Africa, we still hear of ethnic conflicts which is still alive among my people. I would like to see such issues tackled internationally and brought to a halt so that we could live in peace as brothers and sisters.
As you can see, I value life and I would love to see it safeguarded and protected at all levels.
I was pained when I heard my mother was denied a christian burial, saying that she did not marry a new man legally after all efforts were made possible by local christian leaders. I felt it was unfair on the part of the leadership which promotes respect of the dead and often has space in its liturgyfor the dead. I regard the dead need our prayers according to my little catholic faith. So these are some of the issues that interests me and disturb my feelings highly.
Being arrested without trial is also my issue of interest.
Here in Mozambique I was forced to bribe the police two weeks ago as minibus driver from Malawi. Discrimination and prejudice issues are of concern to me.
Simeon Banda
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