Malawi — Cultivating Harmony
The Perfect Storm
COVID-19 and the far-reaching havoc accompanying it have consumed our limited attention spans in recent months, and rightfully so. Meanwhile, several new developments around the world are going unnoticed. Chief among those, in my opinion, is the most recent locust swarms in East Africa and beyond. Both outbreaks are staking their own claims as the deadliest that their victims have seen to date.
In early 2020, while the impending COVID-19 pandemic was still in its infancy, several East African countries were facing the largest locust infestation they had witnessed in 7 decades; the perfect storm was brewing.
The second coming of this locust outbreak however is expected to be 20 times worse than the predecessor; courtesy of changing ocean patterns, increased cyclone activity in the area, and as a result, rampant locust breeding. You can read more about the initial outbreak and the latest threat as you wish.
I cannot claim to understand the intricacies of COVID-19 nor the locust swarms, but these recent events have reminded me of my time in East Africa.
The Warm Heart of Africa, as Malawi is referred to by its affectionate residents, is among several victims of these disasters. It is bittersweet however, to say that Malawi’s neighbours are the ones bearing the brunt…
