I am a Malawian who studies and writes about education policy, Pan-Afrikanism, Afrikan epistemology (uMunthu), the Afrikan Renaissance, and peace and social justice. I am also a student of autobiography, critical pedagogy, and critical literacy research. I am a teacher educator and former school teacher, freelance journalist, and educational editor. My blog, Afrika Aphukira is an afro-optimistic expression of the theme of the African rebirth. I'm on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Latest posts by Steve Sharra
Malawian scientist who forewarned about Omicron-type variant speaks out
"When an unvaccinated person is infected, there is more virus and for longer, so chances are just higher that these new variants will emerge" notes Bandawe, the Malawian scientist.
Why Malawi urgently needs a data protection law
In January 2018, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) announced a mandatory national sim card registration exercise tied to the national ID process.
Intrigue and Drama as Malawians Await Election Results
After it became clear that she was losing, incumbent President Dr. Joyce Banda accused the opposition of tampering with the election. Meanwhile, a local politician who lost was found dead.
How A Shooting Exposed The Plunder Of Malawi's Treasury
The shooting of a senior government official sparks a series of revelations that leave the 18-month-old administration of President Joyce Banda with much to answer for.
Malawi: Presidents, Pop Stars and the ‘White Savior’ Complex
It started out as a disagreement over definitions, and soon it escalated into a war of words between President Joyce Banda of Malawi and Madonna.
Malawi: Actor's Arrest Reminiscent of Past Dictatorship's Censorship Laws
Malawi police on Sunday afternoon December 18, stormed a stage on which a play was being performed, arrested the main actor mid-sentence and led him away into a waiting police van. Steve Sharra reports.
Malawi: A Growing City and its Pay-to-Cross Footbridges
Hand-made wooden bridges now connect two popular markets on each side of a river in Malawi's capital Lilongwe, providing a local solution to both joblessness and growing urbanization for the young men who build them.
Malawi: Death of a Student Activist and a Campaign of Terror
Early on the morning of Saturday September 24, a University of Malawi Polytechnic student was found lying stiff on a paved surface, next to a pool of blood. His name was Robert Chasowa, a student activist, and he was dead.
Malawi: Confusion and Uncertainty Over August 17 Vigil
With hours to go before August 17, the day set aside for follow-up nation-wide demonstrations in Malawi, a cloud of uncertainty hovers over the country. One team has announced a postponement, another team has indicated they are going ahead. Online reactions range from relief to frustration, confusion to defiance.
Ghana: Towards the ‘Ideal Woman': Meet Blogger And Journalist Linda Annan
Though she shares a last name with a globally famous Ghanaian, Linda Annan is not related to former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan. Linda is a Ghanaian journalist and blogger who contributes to Global Voices Online and is the founder of Obaasema, an online magazine for Ghanaian women.
Malawi: Interview With Frederick Bvalani, Creator of Malawi Fuel Watch
Global Voices' Steve Sharra talks to Frederick Bvalani, the creator of Malawi Fuel Watch Facebook page. Malawian netizens use the page to inform each other about where they can find fuel.
Malawi: Arab Spring Spreading South of the Sahara?
It's winter in Africa, south of the Equator, but the temperature in Malawi feels more like Spring - particularly that of the recent Arab pedigree. The Malawian air is rife with tension and anxiety over what is expected to be a clash between civil society and the Malawi government on Wednesday July 20.
Malawi: Of Classroom Spies and Academic Freedom
On the morning of 12 February 2011 the Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service summoned University of Malawi Associate Professor, Dr. Blessings Chinsinga, to interrogate him on allegations that he had been inciting university students to take to the streets in protest against the Malawi government. Dr. Chinsinga is said to have alluded to the recent uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt to illustrate his point. News of the summoning appeared within hours on Boniface Dulani's blog.
Malawi: Citizens’ take on vice-president's dismissal
In early 2009 Malawi’s President Bingu wa Mutharika was fighting for his political life with an opposition that frustrated his every move in parliament and looked strong enough to unseat...
Malawi: Bloggers to watch in the arts in 2010
In this roundup we are focusing on five blogs authored by individual Malawians as well as groups of Malawian bloggers, mostly concentrating on creative writing and other forms of art and entertainment.
Malawi: Another School Drop-Out Engineering Genius
On October 14th the Malawi Police Service arrested a school drop-out and engineering genius, a 21 year-old Gabriel Kondesi for owning and operating a radio station in Soza Village in the southern district of Mulanje, without a licence from the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA).
Malawi: The good, the bad and the hopeful in health care
In this post we highlight some of what Malawian bloggers are writing about the country's health care system. We look at bloggers describing developments in eye care, reflecting on midwifery, expressing shock over negligence in hospitals and government waste, and we end with rare good news about the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Malawi: Blogger wins BlogHer International Activist Award
We first wrote about her in a post that profiled four Malawian female bloggers, on November 4th, 2007. This time we write about her exclusively, and her recent achievement solely...
Malawi elections: Upending the pundits’ predictions
With the elections over and the incumbent president Bingu wa Mutharika sworn in for his second and last term, Malawian bloggers (Mabloga) are awed by two developments that went against...
Malawi: Female Candidates and the Politics of Regionalism
With two months to go before Malawians vote in presidential and parliamentary elections on May 19th, 2009, the soup du jour has evolved around two developments, the first one being the recent arrest and release on bail of former president Dr. Bakili Muluzi. The second development is the unusual visit to the country by former presidents of Ghana and Mozambique who are attempting, unjustifiably, according to the blog Chingwe's Hole, to prevent what they fear might be a potential violent conflict in the run up to the elections and possibly in the aftermath.
Malawi: Gas prices remain high despite global plunge
There are growing calls in Malawi for the government to reduce the price of gas, following a global drop in prices in recent weeks. While many countries have seen reductions in gas prices, in Malawi it has stayed the same as when it reached the highest prices in July 2008. Bloggers and forum users in Malawi discuss the problem.
