Arrested Malawi genius radio owner freed
The arrested primary school dropout who established a community radio station using two used transistors in the Mulanje district has been freed. His release followed efforts from community members who listened to the 21-year-old Gabriel Kondesi’s ingenuity.
The villagers raised K14, 000 ($100) to free the boy while his father sold part of his property to prevent the boy from spending time in jail.
“I think people got so much used to my radio because I started broadcasting some three years ago,” said Kondesi.
He was surrounded by proud villagers upon his release.
Meanwhile, Zodiac Broadcasting Station’s (ZBS) Managing Director, Gospel Kazako, travelled all the way from Blantyre to Mulanje with the intention of freeing the boy. ZBS is one of Malawi’s leading private radio stations.
Kondesi had initially failed to pay the K50, 000 ($358) fine Mulanje Second Grade Magistrate Lameck Mkwapatira handed him last Friday. He said the thought of going to jail for his creativity scared him.
Kazako said: “As broadcasters, we need to support fellow broadcasters whenever they are in trouble. I don’t actually understand when courts should grant suspended sentences but, as a radio man, I am here to appreciate that this boy is a genius.”
Kazako repaid the boy’s father to cover his cost. “We could not raise the money so we sold our TV, a DVD Player and four bags of cement to raise the money. I also got some money from my friends, money I will repay.”
The Standard 7 dropout was arrested on October 14, 2009 for operating a radio station called Pachikweza without a Malawi Communications Authority license.
He said his radio was also broadcasting even in Mozambique.
He comes from Soza Village in the area of Traditional Authority Njema in Mulanje district.
Tis A bIG joke this dropout deserves respect not a sentence as harsh. something is very wrong here. It must be reversed. The guy needs encouragement period not to break the law though
To all my fellow Malawians who showed interest in helping the young one pls continue with the good heart. Thats patriotism.
Systems have to be put in place to ideentify all those school leavers who have a potential in doing something teveta sponsored tey will be able to achieve something
well,Malawi has pure raw talented individuals.Imagine,from the boy who harnessed the wind,then a radio man,soon we will wake up one day only to hear that another genius has come up with a helicopter.BUT why is it that these geniuses are school dropouts?is it poverty that makes these dudes to have time to think?or they are just very intelligent and wise that they feel that going for more knowledge is but a waste of time? well, I don’t really no,but if you go to one of the constituent colleges of the prestigious University of Malawi,The polytechinic, you will be shocked to find out that a third year electrical engineering student is failing even to fix a broken down radio receiver.geeeee!!!!I would like to thank Gospel kazako for his timely assistance to the genius.And to MACRA,please accept innovations like these as long as they broadcast things that do not divide the united Malawians.
Malawi is one of the stupid governments in the world.People are stealing millions in the public and private sector but you can’t arrest them.A young school drop out tries something with his creativity you are at his neck..koma kumalawi kuli anthu oganiza matsiku ano or they are all human robots?The world these days needs creativity.Some of those people who invented great things have never been in university corridors but they great things than ena amene mumawagomera kuloweza zinthu zamkalasi but contributing nothing in society.Instead the govt would have plans of opening a school of some gifted people.
This guy need to be supported.I wish i could sponsor him at least so he can have higher edukweshon.What a genius boy,my God bless him.I thank all the people that have helped for his release,may the good God bless them.
GOspel kazako,I admire your human heart.You have set avery good example which not even the people we know are rich can do.may the good Lord give you more days on earth and give back what you have spent.T say the truth this boy did nothing wrong,it is macra that caused this by denying licence to this genius after several attempts.It sad to note that even the learned judge has be in the fore front in punishing and stealing money from this boy for his creativity.Shame on you!!
china have developed because of supporting anthu ngati awa… iwe MALAWI nawe musapote mwana wanzeruyu!
I feel very bad fr him. Like myself i come frm the same background where i used to make Gramaphones and radio receivers using 3 transistors, a diode, and 2 resistors in the early 90s. By then AZUNGU where my dad used to work realised my potential and sponsored me thru out my careeer. Today i’m a senior Two Way radio Engineer(radios that Police, security, contractors etc use for communication)and i’m working for Pitronic Ltd.
Boma pano likupindula nane coz i contribute PAYE tax, and not only that, we supply and provide backup service to communication equipment for police, in simple terms, amadalira ife.
Mfanayu akufunika support chifukwa patsogolo luso lake lizapindulira ife lonse.
In fact in Malawi , this exactly what happens.If this boy had asked for assistance at a time he was developing the station he could not have been assisted.
There are alot more people in Malawi that are innovative and require the support of many of us at a time they are developing.In most cases it has been strangers from outside that have rendered a hand of assitance.
The boy has been helped to pay for the fine , but i have not heard of what will be done to advance his dreams….Inu nonse including me , what should we do to help this boy have his station registered…?