Let us harness hidden talents in children, prods Mark Chilongu
By Ashton Kelly Bunda and Derrick Sinjela
AFRICA Directions Executive Director Mark Chilongu has appealed to parents in Zambia and globally to help their biological children and young people under their care to juggle school and an extra talent as ‘putting all eggs in one academic basket’ is not good.
The Africa Directions Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who has passion for children’s welfare said though many children have a good direction and focus on academic and theoretical activities, young people still have the convincing ability to excel and succeed in recreational and vocational use of hands in performing arts and sport.
Speaking during the Children’s Talent Show held at Africa Direction Youth Center on Saturday 6th March 2021 in Lusaka’s Mtendere Township, an overwhelmed Chilongu said many valedictorian pupils and students in schools in junior primary schools and colleges can perform exceptionally well in competitive sports and better able to put ‘Mother Zambia’ on the world map.
Chilongu cited University of Zambia (UNZA) Professor Makasa and former Minister of Finance (MoF) Dr. Katele Kalumba as academicians, who love music and able to perform well and inspire new generations.
“All children and young people need to succeed both academically, artistically and sports wise is tolerance and support from parents and teachers,” advised Chilongu as he took a swipe at youths sharing pornographic videos on social media.
“Children and young people with smart phones must desist from sharing pornographic videos on social media corrupt the public comprised of children, teenagers and adults with might erroneously think nudity is stardom in these modern times,” grieved Chilongu.
The Africa Directions Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has been spear heading annual Christmas Football Tournaments in Mtendere Township in the past years, helping to identify talent and help bring together professional soccer players based abroad and from elite super leagues around the world, brought up in Mtendere compound to inspire local youths.
“ nudity is not stardom , there many inspiring written stories and activities like farming , sports , visual and performing arts , developmental activist ,human rights activist, Journalists, clergy men motivational talking and politics that can catapult an individual to legendary status that families and children can learn from, do not waste your bundles watching nude pictures ”Chilongu explained.
Chilongu encouraged Zambian women to maintain their Chitenge material attire that make them look more beautiful and that they should make more innovations to the fashion as it will represent African identity abroad.
The Africa Directions board that comprised Eric Kasoma awarded children who participated in the Children’s Talent Show with hard cover exercise books, school bags, ball pens and mathematical sets.
Ashton Kelly Bunda with Zoe Ngwira of Mpali
African Directions CEO Mark Chilongu with MPali Actors
African Directions CEO Mark Chilongu with MPali Actors
