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.
Poor boy, I can`t believe he had to be treated like that. why now giving him a warning- i dont think he was aware that he was breaking the law. will definately contact Gospel Kazako for more money to the father.
The guy is brilliant
give him a chance
ndipo a court insteadof kumazega mulandu zimbanda nd ena otero mukulimbana ndi mwana uyu sanamubele munthu akupanga zake
nsanje bwanji
Arrest mbava za mfuti.Why arresting the boy who is not doing any harm to the nation? Pay that money back to his father you robbers.
another William Kankwamba in the making. he needs to be supported.
With due respect to the learned judge but giving this sentence to someone who was not doing any commercial activities with his radio is absurd I know we quote laws but give me a break. Learned judges must use some human sense…….
What kind of inhuman is this? This boy is a standard 7 dropout he has no idea about the broadcasting laws or whatsoever you call. He was not supposed to be treated like culprit but being empowered with the necessary support for his outstanding intellect. Nanunso amakhoti kumaganizako before applying malamulo anuwo.
Does this mean that other judges are so dumb that they cannot use judgment in delivering their judgment. This judge appears to apply the law mechanically without using judgment. Mwina inali nsanje.
There are lot of cases to prosecute and arrest but you arrested this poor young boy who used his own skills. This guy wasnt even making money out this, he was doing this for fun. There are a lot of people in prisons that are not charged let alone prosecuted BUT you lashed and charged this boy with speed. Why not a suspended sentence mpaka K50,000 zowona. This magistrate amatamba ndi mfiti. Kudzukira pamwana chimunthu chachikulukulu. Mukulephera kuthamangitsa nkhani ya Nachipanti mukalimbana ndi mwana. Bwanji osangomuthandiza magazi kuti achite zazikulu kuposa apa
Kunena chilungamo mnyamatayu ndi munthu wa nzeru pa ntchito ya manja. A mabungwe muthandizeni pomupititsa kusukulu ya ukachenjede kuti akaphunzire ntchito za manja. Kumanga munthu ngati ameneyu sikungapititse dziko patsogolo. Kodi amapangira malonda radio imeneyi? Mumafuna akanakhala mwana wanu kuti akutchukitseni? Muthandizeni nyamata walusoyu pomupatsa chochita inu a ma Radio osiya-siyana.
This lad is didn’t deserve what the MACRA guys did to him, cause thus killing talent at it’s best. What they could have done is to invest in this guy not send him to jail. I salute this guy