Raison d’être
The saying goes, ‘Do what you love, and you won’t work a day in your life.’ I used to love this saying because it meant I wouldn’t have to deal with the negative connotation that ‘work’ has come to represent. I think the beginning of the end of work came along in the post-WWII era when work became purely functional—a means to an end, driven by efficiency and profit. Slowly, the days when work intersected with pure fascination for a vocation faded into the sunset.
Recently, I rewatched a favourite childhood movie of mine, Whisper of the Heart, by Studio Ghibli. It follows two children who make the bold decision to leave school: one pursues a violin-making apprenticeship, and the other decides to write a novel to test whether she has any talent. I don’t know about you, but I am a romantic at heart, and it seemed to me that once upon a time, people apprenticed in what they loved, dedicating themselves to work they found both meaningful and fulfilling. Work was not just about survival; it followed purpose. The movie’s name truly conveys the sense of following the quiet whispers and gentle nudges that your heart sends your way. It is not always an overwhelming sense of certainty, thunder clapping, or pausing mid-conversation because a crow flew by, and suddenly, an epiphany dawned on you, illuminating the very meaning of life itself. More convincingly, it could be in the fleeting ‘what ifs’ and unobtrusive ‘could I’s’ when you are not paying attention.
In my real life, I recently met a man who is among those who have discovered the intersection between their work and reason for being. Jason Mwanza, CEO of Zamtel, lives, breathes, and eats his role. As he shared his career trajectory on page 38, I noticed that his language did not include any delineation between himself, his work, or his role. His passion is his work. His purpose is Zamtel. As a man who has spent over 20 years with the organisation, Jason is a shining example of working beyond obligation—but for the sake of pure fascination and passion.
Pure fascination and passion are also the sub-root of our cover story on page 56. I enjoy editing this magazine because it sometimes takes on a life of its own. Originally, the feature was meant to explore the appropriation of Zambian and African designs that gave way to a generic, Afrocentric visual language that dilutes its distinctiveness. However, after examining the material from experts, it became quite evident that a more nuanced conversation was to be had, and the content metamorphosed into The Case for African art. The article rightfully asserts that African art is a living expression—not merely for aesthetics but serving a functional, ritualistic, and symbolic purpose deeply tied to daily life and spirituality. It exists beyond a collectable, hangable souvenir. The author challenges Western perspectives, which often misclassified or misunderstood African art, categorising it as mere craft and stripping it of context and significance. The piece opens discourse on showing greater appreciation and documentation of Zambia’s artistic traditions in global discussions.
Happy reading!
Shammah Phiri
Deputy Editor
