Author - Jammy

Your name and what do you do?

My name is Rajab Salim (Malenga001) I am a Swahili performing poet.

Why do you call yourself Malenga001?

Malenga001 simply means a Swahili poet from county001 (Mombasa). I was previously known as Malenga Mlenga Malengo before rebranding to Malenga001, it is short and unique. I haven’t seen any Malenga using his/her county code countrywide

When did you start writing Swahili shairi?

I started writing poems in 2010 when I was in class 7 after reading the famous Swahili novel ‘Siku Njema’, I put my self in the shoes of the main character of the story Kongowea Mswahili who was also a poet at class 7 and that is how I discovered my talent. Kongowea Mswahili in the novel, gets published on the only Swahili newspaper of that time. Which is the same to me, my poems get published severally on Sundays in ‘Taifa Leo’.

There are a few Swahili poets in Mombasa, how do you feel about it?

It’s actually painful. Swahili poetry is disappearing. Swahili poetry is considered for the old, which are now also very few still alive. I am afraid the generation of my grandchildren won’t even know of Swahili poetry if we continue this way. As Malenga001, I fight hard to kill the ideology that mashairi is old school by performing it to my fellow youth, touching on issues that concern them and using my creativity, skills and technology, I show mashairi is just as good as any art in this dot com generation.

Being a creative in Mombasa is a challenging, what do you think we should do create awareness on art?

It’s very challenging to create awareness on art in Mombasa. People with passion for theatre are very few. But it’s all in our hands. Let’s be more creative, let’s work smart and hard. When you are too good, you can’t be ignored. ‘kizuri chajiuza’. Many of my agemates don’t speak pure swahili but by consistent speaking and coming up with witty and humorous swahili lines has made them appreciate the language and even demand for the ‘mistari’ more often.

Does the Internet and social media contribute to the growth of poetry and art in general?

Yes it does. Social media is a free platform for artists to showcase their work, network and learn from others. People live online nowadays, every serious artist has to be active on social media. I used to do only written poetry, but I met Gathoni wa Mbugua on social media and she brought me to the performance world which has made me better than I could ever imagine. So social media is a very vital aspect.

Who inspires you?

My mother inspires me a lot. She was a swahili poet during her school life and she won several times for her skills. She still does a little of it at home. The late Ahmed Darwesh is still my mentor even in his grave. His humility, discipline and passion were extraordinary. NTV’s Rashid Abdalla is also one of the people who inspire me. His love for Swahili is great, just like mine. There are also Yusuf Dalu, Fadhili Suleiman, Wallah bin Wallah, Ken Walibora, Mrisho Mpoto.

If you are asked right now, what do you need? What would you ask for?

I need education. As the saying goes by, Talent can’t be taught, but it can be awakened. I already have the talent, now I need knowledge on how to expound on my talent. To make it more professional.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

My dream is still to study Journalism and become a swahili news anchor.I will also have published not less than 10 swahili poetry books and novels.I also have a dream to start an initiative that will help young malengas. I will be the face of Swahili and mashairi In Shaa Allah.

Parting shot 

As artists, we can’t grow in Isolation.Let’s support each other as artists first, physically, emotionally, financially and when we are together as one, the people will have no other option than support us. Art is life.

Your name and what do you do?

My name is Salma Abdulatif. I am an author, a civic leader and a student. I have authored the quote book “Painted Inspiration from the palm-fringed beaches”; I have founded my own community based organization, MTY and I am currently the vice president of Enactus Moi. I am also a fourth year student in Moi University, Main campus pursuing Maritime Business Management and a graduate/alumni of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI ), a program initiated by the former  president  of the United States, Barrack Obama.

Tell us about your book?

The painted inspiration from the palm-fringed beaches is a collection of inspirational and life-changing quotes that I have compiled in a simple yet compelling way. The book takes you step by step to things that affect you, things that mean the world, how to handle success and friendship and how to look up to the stars when it’s calm and how to wait earnestly when it’s stormy and hard. This book is for everyone out there seeking for help, seeking to be uplifted, and seeking joy and love and a peace of mind. Painted Inspiration is for every flower on this earth and the flowers are each of you!

What made you want to write?

I am the grand-daughter of the famously known Ali Alamin Mazrui. At first, I thought I could write because I had inherited his traits, lol but as I went on, I realized that it is something within me and there was so much that I wanted to share with the world and I could only do that through my pen. One of my dreams was to see people get inspired with my work and start writing their own pieces and probably even identify their own niches. Alhamdulillah, after I started my Instagram page ‘expressing_through_salummy’, I realized that my work was loved and I received numerous commendable comments from my fans and readers and it gave me the hope to never stop.

You are a blogger as well, how do you deal with Writer’s block?

Unfortunately, writers block is inevitable sometimes but I guess it all goes back to our mindset. I consistently deal with writers block through reading books, watching TED talks and even reading a piece of an article from brain pickings every day. The more you feed your mind with knowledge, the more inspiration you get to keep writing.  Please check out my blog at www.salummy.co.ke.

Do you have any special quotes or sayings that you keep visible in your work environment to help inspire, motivate, and encourage you?

Oh yes, this is my best quote from my collection (you can find others on my Instagram page @expressing_through_salummy). “Some days will be sunny and some days will be stormy. There are days that you will never want to look at the sky and there are days when the peace of the stars is all that you will want. Remember, these days shall come and they shall go. You should however carry your own weather day in and day out”

To get a publisher is tough, what advice would you give to someone who wants to get their work published?

I would say, do your work and get it done. It might seem hard but it is not impossible. For now, work on your piece and give it your best shot and you shall find yourself sorted when the draft is done. I am always ready to help budding writers and it will be a pleasure to see more writers get their work published in Mombasa.

Tell us something about Enactus?

Enactus is an international non-profit making organization that is committed to using entrepreneurial spirit to create innovative outreach projects to impact communities. I am currently the vice president of Enactus Moi. Last year, with my team, we clinched top position and we represented Kenya for the Enactus World Cup in Toronto, Canada and this year, our innovative waste management project also won the National Championship and we will be going to London, England for the finals In Shaa Allah.

How do you give back to society through Motivational Talks for Youth, MTY?

I realized that I find my happiness in uplifting others. It gives me fulfilment and it is what I live for. I came up with this initiative which had directly impacted more than 500 youth in Mombasa so as to change the mindset of my community and ensure that we transform Africa for the better. MTY conducts motivational speaking forums in schools, 3-month extensive training on leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and talent nurturing followed by a graduation and guidance on how to apply for the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) and also involves largely on the wider community work. To be part of us, kindly contact 0702281909 and follow our Instagram page @mty_organization/ Facebook page @mty_organization .

How can people get your book?

The book is available online https://www.amazon.com/Painted-Inspiration-Palm-Fringed-Beaches-Inspirational/dp/1546363831 and https://www.createspace.com/7129115.

For the people in Kenya, you can get your autographed and signed copies by contacting 0705586076 at an affordable price.

Parting shot

I would love to end by saying that your dreams are valid and no one should stop you from reaching the skies; not even society and its’ made-up rules.  I would also want to tell you all that the secret to a fulfilling and successful life is to love and wish for others what we wish for ourselves. The main problem with our communities is that we cannot support and raise each other up and we think that it is cool, but that will never allow us to prosper.  We need to smile more genuinely, judge less and stop hating, just appreciating. Thank you.