I wear many hats. A husband, a father, a grandfather, a friend to many, writer at heart, a medical doctor, golfer and I play my guitar literally every day.
Background
My writing career started after the trauma of being on the frontline of looking after the initial AIDS/HIV patients. I watched hopelessly and helplessly as thousands of my patients died of AIDS, as in those years there was no treatment. I wrote my first book, Too Young To Die, to document, what most Zambians were going through as the disease killed hundreds of Zambians every single day.
I am a physician, specialized in internal medicine, diabetes and hormone problems.
As founder member of the Diabetes Association of Zambia and i was its president from 1991 to 2008 and former Chairman of the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC), i lead researchers in two nationwide surveys on Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD). The Commission implemented the Iodine Deficiency Disorders elimination programme through nationwide salt iodation. This led to Iodine Deficiency Disorders being eliminated as a public health problem in Zambia, thus improving the lives of millions of Zambian children and adults and preventing thousands from the debilitating effects of iodine deficiency. I am honoured to have served as presidential physician to 3 State Presidents.
Apart from treating many thousands of patients, teaching hundreds of children with type 1 diabetes at youth camps, and teaching hundreds of medical students, clinical officers, and nurses, the formation of the Diabetes Association of Zambia and the elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders are considered as my highlights in my career.
What qualifies any writer? It’s the passion to share their stories and in my case to throw light in areas where I perceive darkness.
Inspiration
I write fiction, literally fiction, satire, patient education books in Bemba, and Bemba Quiz books. These writings are in the form of full length novels, novelettes, and short stories.
There’s great satisfaction in seeing a finished product that adds to humanity’s knowledge pool.
For me, I see so many unmet needs that I set out to address. A case in point is the ignorance by Zambians about the history of slavery and colonialism. That was a big hole that needed filling. Then the recognition of getting 5 Ngoma Awards nominations and winning 3 Ngoma Awards for 3 different books has encouraged me to continue writing.
Feedback from my readers is an important fillip.
The biggest challenge has been the dire lack of traditional publishers in Zambia. The second challenge is that Zambians love to read foreign books and books on self-help more than they read fiction books by fellow Zambians. There’s work to be done here! The third challenge is to change our marketing strategies. Gen Z and millennials are not likely to walk into Bookworld to buy books. No. We should meet them and sell to them on social media. So, we need a paradigm shift in marketing.
No one is perfect. The few times I have encountered criticism have made me relook at my product and improve on it.
Hobbies
I love playing chess on-the internet, playing my guitar literally every day, and playing golf as frequently as I can. Gardening is a daily hobby.
