ANALYSIS: Let's normalise masking up on public transport

TRAVELING on public transportation increases a person’s risk of getting and spreading the COVID-19 by bringing people in close contact with others, often for prolonged periods, and exposing them to frequently touched surfaces.

Air travel often requires spending time in security lines and busy airport terminals. Travel by bus, taxi, train, and other public conveyances used for international and local transportation poses similar challenges in the sense that staying six feet or one meter away from others is often difficult on public transportation.

People may not be able to distance themselves by the recommended social distance of at least one metre from other people seated nearby or from those standing in or passing through the aisles on airplanes, trains, or buses.

Travel has led, and continues to lead to local and international spread of the virus that causes the COVID-19. 

It is for this reason that wearing face masks that completely cover the mouth and nose at all times has been mooted. It is so because masking reduces the spread of the COVID-19.

People who never develop symptoms (asymptomatic) or are not yet showing symptoms (pre-symptomatic) might not know that they are infected but can still spread COVID-19 to others. A face mask in this case will therefore, also offer protection to the person wearing it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an order that requires face masks to be worn by all travelers while on public transportation (which includes all passengers and all personnel operating such conveyances).

Back home, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has followed suit and recently directed drivers of public service vehicles not to carry passengers who refuse to wear face masks.

In a statement issued recently, RTSA head of public relations Frederick Mubanga said it is mandatory for all passengers to wear face masks when using public transport.

He said: All passengers and public transport operators are hereby advised of their legal obligation to wear face masks on public transport, and follow health guidelines to mitigate the risk of spreading coronavirus.”

This directive could not have come at a better time.

It is evident that a lot of people have somehow dropped their guard against the COVID-19 health protocols, despite the second wave having hit us hard. A day will hardly pass without recording the death of someone we somehow know. That in itself should be able to send shivers down anybody’s spine.

It is also true that staying safe, by staying home could be hard for some people who still have to travel and go out there to hustle for money to provide for their families and meet certain needs. But, it should be emphasised that only travel when your life depends on it - and when you do, please remember to mask up.

Let's all heed to this directive that has been echoed by RTSA and ensure that we protect our loved ones by masking up and washing hands regularly with soap or using alcohol based hand sanitiser.

People must wear masks that completely cover both the mouth and nose while awaiting, boarding, disembarking, or traveling on public transportation. People must also wear masks while at transportation hubs and other locations where people board public transportation from.

In the same vein, as emphasised by RTSA, public transport operators must use best efforts to ensure that any person on their conveyance wears a mask when boarding, disembarking, and for the duration of travel.

KAY FIGO DEMANDS RESPECT: Kanyelele singer makes second coming

THERE once was a time when Kay Figo, born Cynthia Kayula Bwalya looked like the next big female star.

In fact a rivalry, whether real or imagined, appeared to be forming with Mampi. But if indeed there was any, the two have certainly put it behind them. The two are now friends.

After enjoying the limelight with hits such as Kanyelele and Chachilamo, Kay Figo for some reason went quiet.

But she is back now. She recently released a single titled No Other.

“The single was written and produced by Kekero,” she said when she made an appearance on ZNBC's The Vibe with Leon Kalumiana television show a fortnight ago. “I am in the studio working on another song that I will be releasing very soon, together with a music video for it.”

Kay Figo explained what the next single is about. “It’s quite an interesting song. I won’t say much about it but it talks about where I am coming from and what I have achieved, coupled with the kind of respect I deserve from people. As Kay Figo, I have made quiet a name for myself and I deserve respect. I have been in the industry for quite some time and I was the first one to hit a million views on YouTube.

“All those that are coming to boast about hitting one billion YouTube views, they should know that I did it first. I am not hating on anyone, people should just respect that I did it first. That is what the latest song that I will be releasing very soon is talking about. I just finished shooting the video for the song. People should expect it very soon.”

Kay Figo said before she signed to Kalandanya Music Promotions (KMP), she used to feel lazy recording and releasing songs. “But now that I have been signed, I have become very busy because of the morale that has been restored,” she said.

She said she signed to KMP because she enjoys good relations with the proprietor of the label, Bwalya Kalandanya. “We have come a long way with Bwalya Kalandanya. I would say he has been my fan from way back and that is why I didn’t hesitate to sign for him when the call came,” she said.

Kay Figo who has had quite her own share of negative shade thrown her way says the industry isn’t very kind to female artistes. But she found a way of going round it.

“I have been through that a lot - from the time of that white man. People were talking and they said a lot of things that they didn’t know about. They were just judging me from what they had seen on social media - so, I have been through that but all you have to do is to hold your head high and say ‘no one can bring me down’. If people are talking about you, it means you are doing something and they are noticing you,” she said.

She said she managed to pull through the turmoil and negative shade she received especially on social media by not paying attention to them.

She said: “I am strong.” “I used to respond to negative comments on my social media handles back then, but now, I have stopped doing that. I don’t even read the comments anymore and people complain that I don’t engage with my fans. That has worked for me,” she said.

Kay Figo also added that the Zambian music industry lacks unity and is full of pretenders, especially among female artistes.

“When I just came into the game, it was bad, especially among female artistes. People even started saying that I was trying to be like someone else. There is no unity in the game. People pretend a lot in the industry. I have just decided to live my life the way it is and not try to impress anyone. If my fans think that I am supposed to be getting along with people that they like and I am not and they feel bad about it, I don't care,” she said.

She continued: “I have tried my level best to unite the industry and it cannot work. So, I have just told myself to live my life and do my own thing. I am not going to lose anything. There is no unity in the industry. If you get along with someone, then that is fine. If you don’t, that is also fine - just forget about it.”

Kay Figo said she has helped and groomed a lot of artistes in the music industry not because she expected favours, but because she feels happy to extend a helping hand.

She advised upcoming artistes to be humble and stay focused as they look  for the right connections that can help spur them to stardom.

“Just believe in yourself as an artiste  and don’t follow anybody blindly, you will be misled. Macky 2 is a good guy and he gives very good advice and is willing to help anyone. We need more people like him,” she said.

'STINGY BOYS' OUT: Yxung Bxss collaborates with Abel Chungu

BORN Michael Inalegwu Kuzasuwat, the 25-year-old Nigerian born but Copperbelt-based music producer and graphics designer Yxung Bxss has teamed up with celebrated Zambian vocalist Abel Chungu on a single titled Stingy Boys.

Speaking to the Weekend Mail, Yxung Bxss said the single which was released on Friday 23^rd January has a strong meaning on how girls perceive guys who are really there for them, with real love as being stingy and prefer blessers who give and flaunt them with material things at the expense of marriage.

He said the song is a feel good sound that everyone will be able to relate to, especially now, with trending Stingy Men Association of Zambia (SMAZ) posts on social media.

“So in the song, we are just playing around that notion and how girls prefer guys that flaunt money and not those that truly love them and are willing to spend eternity with. It’s obviously a huge collaboration and it has nice sound and definitely better production,” he says.

He adds: “The good part about this collaboration is that it has a huge artiste in Abel Chungu and the beat is something that is not as common. So, I can only say, it is very different and it has all the nice fusion to it – it’s a feel good song and something that people can dance to.”

Yxung Bxss is hugely a deejay artiste. “I don’t sing on my songs. I just get artistes to sing on the vocals as I take care of the production aspect of the songs,” he says.

Make no mistake nonetheless, Yxung Bxss already has also previously worked with the likes of T Low, Chuzhe International, 408 Empire and Sashiska. But now, he decided to release something of his own.

Already with two EP’s to his name – Shades of Life which was released in 2018 and had 12 songs as well as Yxung Bxss, the eight track EP which was released in 2019, he says he is working on an album which will be due for release sometime this year.

“I have an album coming out and I am working with a whole lot of artistes who include Chuzhe International, Sebastian Dutch and other friends of mine. I have a title in mind already, but I would rather not reveal it just yet,” he says.

Yxung Bxss is a second born in a family of five which consists of three boys and two girls.

He started learning music production at a young age in late 2012 shortly after his parents who are missionaries moved to Zambia from Nigeria.

He describes Zambia as being his home now. “I have enjoyed my stay here and I call it home now unless God decides to take me somewhere elsewhere.”

He says working with Zambian artistes has been both easy and hard. “But overall, the thrills outweigh the spoils,” he says.

Of his previously released EP’s, Yxung Bxss said they didn't do well locally but he was impressed with the streaming statistics from major music streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer.

He says Yxung Bxss, the EP had about 324, 000 streams and Shades of Life garnered about 30,000 streams online.

Yxung Bxss describes his genre as electronic dance but is trying to transition into mixing it with afro beats so that he doesn’t go very far from home. “I can basically say I am both a western and local sound person. I like both and I like infusing them in what I do so that I can still sound relevant locally,” he says.

In terms of getting Zambian music to the levels that Nigeria has gotten theirs to, Yxung Bxss says there is a need for unity and stronger friendships among Zambian artistes.

He says he has observed that people in the game tend to sit on and downplay one another’s talent and potential. “They would be laughing and smiling with you today as you work on a project together and start talking ill behind your back. That behavior won’t take the game anywhere. What we need is unity and friendships and strong business values,” he says.

He adds: “Much as we would have friendships, people should also know how to value their works – paying producers the right money for their productions, paying an artiste and songwriters the right money for their works and many others. Everyone should respect what everyone is putting.”

Yxung Bxss who only has a Grade 12 certificate says given a chance to further his education, he would love to study music and graphics to compliment the knowledge he taught himself.

MORE THAN BEAUTY: Model Loveness opts to work with differently abled

LIVINGSTONE based model and former Miss Eloquent 2019 Loveness Hangoma has called on the corporate world to come in and boost the industry that she says is growing and has huge potential.

Speaking in an interview recently, Loveness who has previously held the titles of Miss Zambia Africa Beauty Queen and also Miss Independence Livingstone observed that the industry needs a lot of financial support for it to thrive.

“The government too needs to step in because every time we step out as models, we are representing our country hence the pride of mother Zambia gets to be shared with many other nations at the many fora's we participate. We are ambassadors,” she says.

Loveness describes herself as a “vibrant and passionate person, especially towards children, the vulnerable and also youths with disabilities”. 

“I am a model, an entrepreneur and I like to regard myself as an advocate for disability rights as I call and demand for social inclusion to make sure that no one is left behind,” she says. “I always encourage people with interest to take up modeling as a career because it has many benefits. For instance, it boosts self confidence and love, charitable works, promotes friendships and also helps competitors overcome issues of shyness and offers a chance to connect to personal spiritual practices.

“Generally, for me, modeling is a way of promoting societal connections as pageants happen at local, national and international levels and brings people who are passionate about the same things together. It builds bridges between cultures and societies with their mutual love of pageantry. It's a good way to enjoy some healthy competition, promote good cause, and learn about one another,” she says.

She however warns that the profession isn’t all rosey. She says those wishing to take it up must be ready to overcome some of its shortcomings too.

“They place emphasis on beauty over talent,” she says as she laughs. “They promote unhealthy physical habits as sometimes, models starve themselves to maintain their bodies and of course there is also the issue of expenses and the inappropriate sexual exploitations one may expose themselves to,” she says.

Loveness has hosted different inclusive talent and fashion shows which have allowed persons with disabilities and the vulnerable actualise their dreams and passion.

In December 2019, she merged with Tusole Drama Group and Chifire Cultural group to represent Zambia at the Imo Carnival in Nigeria’s Imo State.

“Our team was the only team accompanied by a young lady [Precious Lusendu] who has a physical disability,” she says. During the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) summit that was co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe in 2013, she came out 4th and was crowned culture ambassador for Southern Province.

She intends to build a home which will offer recreation activities and possibly have a feeding programme for children as well.

“Right now, I am just working on planning due to the fact that activities and contacts now are limited because of the coronavirus,”  she says.

Loveness was born on September 30, 1985 to Shielly Mukulumwa and Cornelius Himoongo Hangoma. She is the fourth born in a family of eight.

She attended Mukamusasa Primary and St Mary’s Girls Secondary school. In 2006, she enrolled at Fairview College in Lusaka where she studied Front Office Operations.

“I have worked in the hospitality industry and after realising that it wasn’t my passion, I quit my job to follow my dreams and passion of working with vulnerable children in our community and here I am today,” she says.

Loveness is a coach, trainer, advocate and founder of the Hangoma Youth Foundation which works at creating a platform for children and youths with disabilities to showcase their untapped talents.

“I started modeling when I was a girl at about seven years old. It's not been an easy road but I am grateful I have my family and friends' support all the way,” she says.

Loveness draws her inspiration from nature as it teaches humanity how to coexist with everything in the universe.

“I also regard challenges as being one of my major inspirations too," she says. "In as much as they are meant to distract us, through them, they can also give us the motivation to forge on and overcome.”

This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper.