Guest: James Kazembe, The Amtchona Genius

GUEST

James Kazembe: The Amtchona
Genius

By Bartholomew Boaz

“Ladies and gentlemen … the ‘number one’ cartoon this year is none other than Aa-mtcho-naaa!” This is what we used to hear during what was formerly known as the Entertainers of the Year.
It is the exaggeratedly long neck and oversized spectacles, a jacket shorter than the necktie that makes the cartoon-Amtchona entertaining. The cartoon that appears in The Weekend Nation has won hearts of people especially the youth. No wonder since 2000 it was enjoying the ‘number one cartoon’ accolade.
James Kazembe is the whiz kid behind Amtchona. The 31-year old cartoonist who celebrates his birthday on 28th November is humble, honest, neat and organised as compared to Amtchona who to the least can’t even know which clothes don’t fit him. Kazembe, a CCAP Christian and married to Judith, has two children.Together caught up with him on a sunny Monday afternoon at Blantyre Newspapers Limited where he works as a graphics designer.

What should people know about you?
I am the seventh born in a family of eight. I come from Che Mbera in Balaka. I did my education at Balaka primary and later at Balaka secondary up to Form 2. Then I went to Ntaja DEC (now CDSS) where I finished my secondary education in 1994. I did a six months course in arts at Sinclair College of Arts in Zimbabwe.

Who taught you cartoon drawing?
I was born a cartoonist. But the likes of Brian Hara (Zabweka), Vic Kasinja (Taxina)and others inspired me when I was very young. I liked their cartoons like Pewani, Joza, Kwinyani, Chatsalira. Brian enhanced my talent. Upon my arrival from Zimbabwe he often taught me how to go about cartoon drawing in his office.

When did Amtchona start?
Amtchona started appearing in the newspapers in 1997, but the idea of that character was born when I was in Form 2, in fact the time I drew that cartoon. The name “Amtchona” came years later and it wasn’t me who named it.

Who was it then?
I suggested to The Nation newspapers to start a cartoon. They asked me to submit different cartoon characters to choose the best from them. They chose this character (Amtchona). And they asked me to explain to them the idea behind that character which I did. Then they called it Amtchona.

What magnet do you put behind Amtchona that attracts people?
Honestly, I do not know. I have always been surprised to see people loving Amtchona. But basically in every Amtchona I strive for excellency and perfection. I make sure that Amtchona should entertain, educate and be interesting. Maybe that is why people love the cartoon.

What comments do you receive and how do they affect your career?
Many of the comments are not good. The problem is people think Amtchona talks about specific individuals. Every time they see the cartoon they ask ‘who is the author talking about?’, ‘who is being humiliated this week?’ And if some feel the cartoon is talking about them they feel bitter and such people threaten me. But Amtchona talks about nobody in particular. Anyway, such comments help me to improve. But there are some people out there who take the cartoon positively. They encourage me.

Amtchona is regarded as the best cartoon is this
the very best you can offer?
No. Amtchona is just one of the ideas. I have so many. And let me disclose that I have another brilliant cartoon idea. I wish another newspaper was established where I can start this new cartoon. I challenge you this can be better than Amtchona.

Which cartoon do you think is better than your Amtchona?
(Smiles) That question has no answer because your look at a cartoon is completely different from mine. I take every cartoon as the best. For instance, Vic Kasinja’s cartoons are good because they are clean; Brian Hara knows composition and arrangement of ideas; Haswell Kunyenje is very good at creating very funny cartoons. I learn something from each one of these cartoons. And I cannot say this cartoon is better than the other.

Message to fans and the youth
I ask all who love Amtchona to continue supporting me. I am undergoing challenges that can force me to stop producing Amtchona, but I will not disappoint my fans. Up to now I do not know why you love the cartoon. So I don’t want to take away from you what you love most.

Who is Amtchona?

Amtchona is a man who worked in this country (Malawi) for twenty years. After retirement he went to Zimbabwe to work in the goldmines. The time he left his country he was wachimidzi(villagish) and very ignorant. When he stopped working in the goldmines he stayed there for a long time.
When he came back home, Amtchona wanted to show people that he is knowledgeable, intelligent and clever. Somebody who has been abroad. Wherever he went, be it at a tavern or church he was posing as wise, ‘shasha’ or ‘dolo’; putting on jackets, neckties, spectacles etc. But at the end he was becoming foolish. That’s why you see him in that cartoon wearing long neckties with shot jackets. He is always ‘clever in a foolish way’.