Edgar's Engaging World

11/09/2024

60 Years of Independence: A Reflection on Zambia’s Journey

As we celebrate 60 years of Zambia’s independence, this milestone presents an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a nation. However, beneath the surface of these celebrations lies a painful truth: despite our political freedom, we remain economically dependent on the Western world. Our sovereignty, though intact on paper, is continuously compromised—not by foreign troops but by the burdens of loans and debts we accumulate. This neo-colonialism, perpetuated through constant borrowing, undermines the essence of true independence.

A Nation at 60 – Still Begging?

At 60, an individual is expected to be self-sufficient, confident in their achievements, and no longer reliant on others. Yet, as a nation, we continue to reach out for aid and assistance. How can we call ourselves independent when we still beg for foreign help to address issues like energy shortages, healthcare, and basic infrastructure?Zambia is blessed with abundant natural resources, yet we remain trapped in a cycle of debt, borrowing to meet financial obligations and paying the price in lost sovereignty. Our rich copper deposits, fertile land, and vast water bodies should be enough to propel us to prosperity. So, why, at 60, do so many of our citizens still live in poverty? Why do we struggle with power shortages when we have the potential for massive hydropower production? And why do we continue to rely on foreign experts to dictate what is best for our country?What Have We Truly Achieved?It is essential to ask ourselves: what are we truly celebrating? While we have made strides in areas such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, these achievements seem overshadowed by the persistent challenges we face. At 60, our economy should not only be growing but flourishing. Our people should not just be surviving, but thriving. Yet, we continue to witness high levels of unemployment, inadequate healthcare services, and limited access to quality education.

The Way Forward – Practical Solutions for Zambia’s Next Chapter

To move forward, we must break free from the habit of borrowing as a first resort. Zambia has the resources—both human and natural—to create a self-reliant and prosperous nation. Here are a few practical steps we should consider:Harnessing Natural Resources
We must make better use of our natural resources, particularly in mining and agriculture. Instead of exporting raw materials, we should invest in local industries that can add value to our resources. Refining our copper and manufacturing products locally will create jobs and generate more revenue for the country.Investing in Renewable Energy
Zambia has the potential to become a leader in hydropower and solar energy production. Instead of relying on foreign power grids and fossil fuels, we should invest heavily in renewable energy projects. This would not only solve our power crisis but also position Zambia as a regional energy hub.Promoting Local Entrepreneurship
We should prioritize homegrown businesses over foreign investment and aid. Supporting Zambian entrepreneurs with grants, education, and access to markets will create a robust middle class, reduce unemployment, and stimulate economic growth.Education Reform
Our education system must shift from focusing on theory to practical skills. We need to equip our young people with the technical know-how to drive innovation and create industries that are globally competitive.Addressing Corruption
Corruption remains a significant obstacle to our progress. Strong institutions and a transparent legal framework are crucial to ensure that national resources benefit all citizens rather than being siphoned off by a few.Debt Management and Fiscal Discipline
We must reduce reliance on foreign loans by implementing disciplined fiscal policies that encourage savings and responsible government spending. We also need to negotiate better terms for the debts we have already incurred, ensuring that they do not cripple our economy.

Conclusion: Time to Reclaim Our Independence

At 60 years of independence, Zambia must take stock of its achievements but also confront the uncomfortable truths that have hindered our progress. It is time for us to stop looking to others to solve our problems. The solutions to our challenges lie within us—in our people, our resources, and our collective will to create a better future.The true celebration of independence will not come from borrowed funds or foreign aid, but when we, as a nation, stand on our own feet, harness our potential, and lift every Zambian out of poverty. Only then will we be able to celebrate 60 years of not just political freedom, but economic and social independence.

By Edgar Phiri.

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22/09/2023

CULTURE: ICILANGA-MULILO MISREPRESENTED

Icilanga-mulilo lutambi lwa IciBemba. This pre-marriage ceremony is primarily between the son-in-law and the mother-in-law. The ceremony takes place before ubwinga (wedding ceremony). The purpose of icilanga-mulilo is:

1) Ukushikula umulumendo (to make free the groom) so that he can be free to eat what is prepared for him by the mother-in-law;

2) Ukushikula umulumendo (to make free the groom) so that he can be free to bath the hot water prepared for him from the mother-in-law's house;

3) To show the son-in-law the variety of food available in his mother-in-law's house;

4) To give the son-in-law the opportunity to indicate to the mother-in-law the types of food he doesn't eat (so that they don't prepare such food for him in future).

Icilanga-mulilo IS NOT
1) about umukashana (the bride);
2) for teaching umukashana how to prepare food;
3) for teaching umukashana (the bride) about the meanings of food;
4) for teaching umukashana (the bride) about marriage.

In the olden days, the bride and groom would often come from different villages. When the groom visited the bride, he would only eat and bath water from the bride's grandmother. Only after ukushikulwa (through icilanga-mulilo) would he be freed. A token of amashikulo was put on the food and in a cup of hot water.

CREDIT: Ukusefya pa Ng'wena: Bemba Cultural Identity.

17/09/2023

Title: Unveiling Faith: A Comparative Journey into Mormonism and Christianity - Insights by Edgar Phiri

Introduction:
Greetings, my inquisitive Facebook audience. Today, let's embark on an intellectual voyage to explore two distinct faiths: Mormonism and Christianity. With Edgar Phiri as your guide, we'll venture deep into their beliefs, shedding light on the truth that distinguishes these spiritual pathways. Join me in this quest for understanding.

Defining Mormons and Christians:
To understand these faiths, we must first distinguish between them. Mormons are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), while Christianity encompasses an array of denominations united by their belief in Jesus Christ.

Deciphering the Beliefs of Mormons:
Mormons embrace unique beliefs that set them apart from traditional Christianity:

1. Sacred Texts: Alongside the Bible, Mormons venerate the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price as holy scriptures.

2. Divine Nature: Mormons believe in distinct beings - God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit - with the potential for human progression to godhood.

3. Salvation and Temple Rites: Salvation, for Mormons, involves stages, including exaltation, achieved through temple rites like baptism for the deceased and eternal marriages.

4. Priesthood Hierarchy: The LDS Church has a hierarchical structure with various levels of priesthood authority, including the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods.

5. Unique Doctrines: Mormons uphold distinctive teachings like the pre-existence of souls, the existence of multiple inhabited planets, and the gathering of Israel in the latter days.

Deciphering the Beliefs of Christians:
Traditional Christianity shares foundational beliefs, despite denominational differences:

1. Holy Scriptures: Christians predominantly revere the Bible as their sacred text, though variations exist in the canon among denominations.

2. The Trinity: Christians affirm the doctrine of the Trinity, emphasizing one eternal God in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.

3. Salvation through Christ: Central to Christianity is salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and His redemptive sacrifice, with the promise of eternal life.

4. Worship Traditions: Christian worship includes practices such as baptism, communion, and congregational gatherings, with liturgical variations among denominations.

The Truth About Mormonism and Christianity:
The truth about these faiths unfolds in their remarkable diversity. While both Mormons and traditional Christians invoke the name of Christ, their beliefs and practices diverge significantly. Mormonism, emerging in 19th-century America, introduced new doctrines and scriptures, which traditional Christianity does not endorse.

In conclusion, our journey of understanding, guided by Edgar Phiri's insights, unveils the unique character of Mormonism and traditional Christianity. Recognizing these distinctions fosters dialogue and respect among individuals of diverse faiths, fostering a profound appreciation for the rich tapestry of human spirituality. The truth transcends doctrinal differences, dwelling in the shared pursuit of faith, love, and understanding in our intricate world.

12/09/2023

In the vast tapestry of existence, I, Edgar Phiri, would whisper these sagacious words to my younger self:

1. Contemplate, dear soul, for your most pivotal life choices reside in these four realms:
▪️ Selecting your life's co-creator
▪️ Paving your career's path
▪️ Crafting your scholarly journey
▪️ Choosing your dwelling's sanctuary

Hasten not these decisions, but let them marinate in the crucible of contemplation.

2. Remember, it is not the robust or the astute who endure, but the one adaptable to the ever-evolving cosmos. Many wander through existence, entrusting their fate to a capricious lottery. Abandon hope, and instead, forge your destiny, refine it, adorn it.

3. Absorb wisdom from others' missteps, guided by mentors and the written word. The path to mentorship unfolds through:
▪️ Compensation
▪️ Apprenticeship without recompense
▪️ Bestowing value in exchange for wisdom's embrace

Indeed, all luminaries I've encountered cherished either the tome or the mentor, often both.

4. "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation." Seek purpose, traverse a defined trajectory. Stand out by nurturing your intellect.

5. "He who chases two rabbits catches none." In a world of fleeting attention spans, cultivate the discipline of focus through meditation, reducing digital tethering, and ceaseless action.

6. The six facets of a well-lived existence:
1. Sustain vitality
2. Erect affluence
3. Foster passive streams of prosperity
4. Tend to your spiritual realm
5. Cultivate social capital
6. Embrace kinship

7. Prudently select your comrades; they shall mold your essence. You shall become the composite of those you accompany most frequently.

8. Assume the mantle of a zealous scientist; life is an endless experiment. Failures are mere experiments extended. What experiment do you presently conduct?

9. An excess of options paralyzes; the bewildering array stymies choice. When you cannot choose, choose anything, for even missteps bear wisdom. To know, one must commence.

10. Persuasion, the most potent skill to grasp, wields the twin levers of pain and pleasure.

11. Age carries wisdom; heed the echoes of the past through art, nature, timeless literature, cinema, and mellifluous compositions. You descend from millennia of whispered wisdom.

12. Expunge self-pity, a venomous mindset. Mistakes are but tutors; mourn them briefly, then banish them to the abyss.

13. "All of humanity's problems stem from our inability to sit quietly in a room alone," as Pascal once intoned. Refrain from outsourcing your thoughts; instead, heed the titans of yore, those voices that endure the vicissitudes of time.

14. Deserving begets obtaining. Acquire a coveted skill:
- Sales
- Copywriting
- Fashion crafting
- Networking
- Art of grooming
- Photographic mastery

My aspiration, my purpose, is to guide you toward:
• Entrepreneurial endeavors
• Deliberate existence
• Passion's profound exploration
• Financial sagacity

26/08/2023

25/08/2023

Exploring the Essence Within: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Soul

*By Edgar Phiri*

*Inspired by Charity Kamwi*

In the tapestry of human existence, few concepts have captivated the imagination and intellect as profoundly as that of the soul. This ethereal essence, often shrouded in mystery and colored by myriad belief systems, transcends cultures and epochs, sparking a relentless quest to unveil the truth that lies within.

-The Essence of the Soul: A Multifaceted Enigma

At the core of our contemplations, the soul is envisioned as the intangible and enduring core of our being. It is the reservoir of our consciousness, emotions, and individuality—a vessel that encapsulates the essence of who we are. The soul whispers our deepest desires, paints our dreams with vivid hues, and carries the weight of our experiences through the journey of life.

-A Kaleidoscope of Perspectives: Unveiling the Truth.

The truth about the soul is as diverse as the human race itself. Throughout history, philosophical, religious, and scientific interpretations have woven a rich tapestry of ideas, each offering a distinct brushstroke to the portrait of the soul.

* **Religious Insights:** In the realm of faith, the soul often takes center stage. From the ancient Egyptian belief in the soul's journey to the afterlife, to the Hindu concept of Atman, the eternal self, religion offers a gateway to understanding the soul's transcendental nature. The Abrahamic faiths envision the soul as a vessel that connects us to the divine, while Eastern philosophies perceive it as an eternal flame in the cycle of rebirth.

* **Philosophical Contemplations:** Philosophers throughout history have delved into the depths of the soul, seeking its essence in the corridors of reason. Plato likened the soul to a charioteer guiding the steeds of reason and desire, while Descartes argued that the soul is the thinking thing—the core foundation of human existence. Existentialists, on the other hand, pondered the soul's connection to individual purpose and meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.

* **Scientific Probing:** In the modern era, science has cast its inquisitive gaze upon the concept of the soul. Neuroscientists explore the intricate dance of synapses and neural pathways that shape our thoughts and emotions, seeking to decipher whether consciousness is an emergent property of our physical brain or a product of something beyond the material realm. While the answers remain elusive, the scientific pursuit sheds light on the complexities of human cognition.

-The Truth Unveiled: A Quest Without End.

As we journey deeper into the heart of this enigma, we realize that the truth about the soul is a horizon that constantly recedes. Perhaps, in the quest to define the soul, we miss the point—much like trying to grasp a shadow. The essence of the soul might not lie in a finite definition, but in the ceaseless exploration itself.

In our collective yearning to unravel the mysteries of the soul, we venture into a realm where the realms of faith, philosophy, and science converge. It is in this intersection that we find a resonance—an acknowledgment that the truth of the soul transcends dogma and discipline, encompassing the boundless complexity of the human experience.

So, what is the soul? It is the ineffable spark that ignites our curiosity, the silent witness to our joys and sorrows, the canvas upon which our stories are painted. It is the gateway to a universe of infinite depth within ourselves, a testament to our unyielding pursuit of understanding in a world filled with wonder and mystery.

In the end, the truth about the soul may remain a tapestry woven from myriad threads of belief and knowledge, each contributing to the grand mosaic of human comprehension. And as we stand on the threshold of this journey, we are reminded that the quest itself is a testament to the profound nature of our existence—an eternal quest for truth, meaning, and connection.

20/08/2023

20/08/2023

🌟✨ Life is a beautiful adventure, filled with endless possibilities and meaningful moments. At Edgar's Engaging World, we believe in embracing every aspect of life and cherishing the simple joys that surround us. Join us as we delve into the depths of human experiences, share inspiring stories, and celebrate the magic of life itself. Let's embark on this incredible journey together!

20/08/2023

20/08/2023

20/08/2023