MPUNDU MWAPE, THE LIMA TIME LEGEND RETIRES

By HAPPY MULOLANI  

“HELLO everybody, welcome to the programme. A programme designed to bring news and interviews on agricultural trends and developments, shaping Zambia’s agro destiny. This is Lima Time.”

These words are synonymous with one of the great sons of Zambia, Mpundu Buseko Mwape who relentlessly promoted diverse agriculture programmes through Lima Time, an agricultural programme produced by the National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS) and broadcast on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) every sunday at 18:00hours.

Two weeks ago, Mpundu Mwape bade farewell to the civil service after attaining 60years retirement age as a Television Producer for the National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS), an information unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, which he joined in 1985. During his stint with NAIS, he devoted his time and energy towards equipping farmers with appropriate information on technical and agriculture technologies. He is revered by many who consider him as a legend, as he influenced farmers’ decisions as they engaged in their agriculture enterprises.

Over the years, his narration and presentation skills earned him the household name that most people could only relate to Lima Time as Mpundu Mwape!

Mwape, who has eight children and a wife, shares his own lived experiences that leaving behind a family was one of the most difficult decision to ever make but was compelled to do so when duty calls.

He acknowledges having a decent walk in the garden, producing agricultural programmes through promoting agricultural technologies through Lima Time, which was the only in-depth agricultural documentary programme which featured several agricultural topics on the national broadcaster to farmers and stakeholders. Admittedly, the programme had a relatively larger following at the time.

Mwape remained enthusiastic about one day being a programme producer since his teenage days, as he remembers how he imitated some news anchors at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) coupled with veteran broadcasters such as Harold Besa, Kenneth Maduma,

at then Zambia Broadcasting Services (ZBS) and Jeff Sitali at Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM). These were among media personalities, who inspired his journalism career path. He narrates that journalism is a passion which calls for one to serve people with diligence and committment. 

Interestingly, after high school, Mwape went through national service in 1981, and after passing out from the national service, he pursued his dream of joining the media industry.

Most people mistake the legend for an agriculturalist but it was just the passion and knack to be a broadcaster that saw him rise to stardom, through his own culture of reading and interacting with agricultural experts, which allowed him to be highly knowledgeable on diverse agriculture topics.

“I was never trained in agriculture apart from studying agriculture science as a subject in high school. Besides that, my father is the one who was an agriculturalist,” he explained.

He joined NAIS in Kabwe, Central Province under Samson Changwe. Then, he was brought to Lusaka in the radio section where he produced Bemba programmes. He was Assistant Translator and later rose to Programme Producer. He gained experience on the job, producing and presenting agricultural programmes and also trained at Evelyn Hone College to gain more skills and techniques. Later, he transitioned to television where he produced Lima Time, a programme he rose to fame.

Mwape is gifted as an orator but also an astounding poet! His skill was feasible whenever he was called upon as master of ceremonies or offer some poetry to spice up public functions, the unit facilitated.

A cross-section of colleagues, who adorn the works of the legend, were full of praise for his 35 years committment of promoting the dissemination of agriculture information and its adoption through Lima Time.

A close workmate and cameraman Moses Katota reminisces his experiences with Mwape during his tour of duty countrywide: “We went round Zambia together bringing the agricultural development highlights in people’s homes. We used to call him the desert rat. Farewell comrade Mwape, we have a lot of memories together.” Whereas, NAIS staff in Eastern province, Gloria Siwisha says “In the five years that I have been a part of this great family, I have realized that the majority of Zambians only understand the functions of NAIS when you mention Mpundu Mwape’s name. This to me shows how good he was at his work. Infact, if one were to coin an equation for Lima, it would be equal to Mpundu Mwape.” This assertion resonates with Provincial Agricultural Information Officer for Copperbelt, Lorraine Makumba, who commends Mwape for significantly contributing to NAIS’s recognition: “You gave us a trade mark as NAIS and just by the mention of your name we gained our recognition.” 

While other staff will seek to emulate his works although acknowledge that his style and skills remain distinct: “We shall be his exact copy, very few can but we can and need to maintain his broadcast values and principles he established in the agricultural sector,” says Frederick Mwanamuchende, Agricultural Information Officer.

Lozi Radio Producer Songolo Akakandelwa encourages fellow staff to emulate the legend: “let’s keep the flame Mr Mwape has lite to show what NAIS is now; as he goes into the phase of life, he should be able to be a smiling man as he has handed over the rally button, let’s keep the same attitude and willingness to work and keep our people updated on the agricultural trends as he opened the Lima time package.”

To others, he is viewed as an encourager who has left the stage while everyone is clapping for Mwape’s marathon race: “You have run your race. Many became farmers because of your work. You are indeed a legend, an institution,” echoes Lillian Mumba, NAIS Senior Reporter. While some considered his programme an interruption, yet became fond of Lima Time in the long term: “The man has been an inspiration to many. I remember getting upset each time I saw Lima on TV because it disrupted my carton watching as ZNBC was the only channel…As I grew up, I loved his voice” recalls Dorcas Kabuya, Agricultural Information Officer for Chilanga. And Reporter Nicholas Mwale says “Yours is the name some of us knew long before joining the NAIS family. I have learnt a lot from you, having an opportunity with you on official duties. Your works certainly speak for you. You remain unique in your style of reporting.” And Radio Producer Judy Mupeta Lembela remembers her fair share of experiences with Mwape exploring the works in the field: I was privileged to journey with Mpundu Mwape. Tours of duty with him always drew admirers throughout Zambia.”

NAIS Deputy Director Mutukelwa Mukelabai describes his early working career days with Mwape, in the radio section.

“I saw Mwape, develop his unique style of presentation through meticulous practice, paying attention to detail and avoiding monotony by employing variety in all his productions to maintain the interest of viewers,” said Mr Mukelabai.

He explains that it’s no doubt that Mwape has deservedly earned his place as a legend in the Zambian agricultural television production sphere. In fact, through the captivating manner of his presentation, Mwape engraved his name as an agricultural communication icon in the hearts of many farmers and other people across generations who had the opportunity to view his Lima Time television productions during the years of his career.

On one hand many journalists generally find reporting on science and technology, including agriculture, a boring undertaking, and on the other hand, a lot of consumers of the print and electronic media regard agriculture as less interesting beats. Not so to Mwape.

“He told the agricultural story in a very entertaining fashion, and tactfully used humour without eating away on the seriousness of agriculture as an economic venture for farmers and the country as a whole,” says Mr Mukelabai.

Originality was the whole mark that made of Mwape stand out in his great artistic work in communicating agricultural technology. He never imitated anyone one, but was bold enough to develop his own style, which he tirelessly worked to perfect overtime. Mwape’s originality was an offspring of his ingenuity, creativity and perseverance in trying new ways, allowing colleagues to critique his work and willing to continuously learn.  

While acknowledging the entertaining attributes of Mwape’s productions, the greatest satisfaction and impact Mwape made, was to see and hear testimonies from people whose persuasion to venture into farming came from watching the Lima Time and farmers attesting to having adopted innovative ways of farming and embraced improved farming methods through the programmes. After all this is the very essence of Lima Time, to enhance productivity and productivity of farmers through provision of farming technological information to farmers.
Indeed Mpundu Buseko Mwape has exited the public service with a heart full of satisfaction that he served the farmers very well and consistently to the best of his ability. Those he has left in service should emulate his works and strive to maintain or beat the bar set by the legendary, the great agricultural television producer of our time.