You must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for your journey says, Kennedy Banda.
Banda is a young man who sees himself as fully established media entrepreneur in the next five years for others to look up to as a role model.
He says when life gives you a lemon, use it to make lemonade and sell it.
“This is to say when things don’t go as planned in life, take advantage of the prevailing situation to establish yourself.” he says.
Banda, 30, is now a qualified producer, an editor, professional photo and Videographer.
He says he is the first born in a family of three children.
“I was born on the Copperbelt Province in Chimwemwe, Kitwe to Mrs Esther Tembo and Mr Samon Banda. My two young sisters are Tandiwe Banda and Naomi Banda, they are all married.” he says.
He says he is married to Vera Mwale. They have one child and expecting another one.
Banda says his education ladder has been a challenging one.
“I started school at Twatasha Basic school, I was at this school from grade one to grade four thereafter, I was transferred to Chibote Basic School where I did part of my grade four to seven. Upon qualifying to grade eight I was selected to proceed to Malela High School in 2002. For my senior secondary I went to Mindolo High School in grade ten then continued my grade ten at Libala High School in Lusaka after being taken on by Lucy Tembo my auntie. I stayed with my auntie who was married to Mr Ngwira, a person who helped me so much. In spite staying with my auntie, my grade ten was sponsored my other uncle, Mr Chrispin Zima who lived in Chilanga.” he says.
He says he started photography when he was still in high school.
“It was in grade ten that I realized I had passion for photography so I bought a camera and started a photography business. Through the money I realized from the photography business I managed to pay for myself in grade eleven. In grade twelve my tuition fee was again paid for by my Mr Nzima my uncle.” he says.
Banda says his dreams were almost shuttered.
“Mum and Dad divorced when I was ten years. Dad left when I was still ten in 1994 and since then I have never seen him. After the divorce of Mum and Dad, my grandfather from mum’s side took us on. From there, my mother died in 2001 when I was about to write my grade nine exams at the age of seventeen. After ‘isambo lyamfwa’, my mum’s sister took over our last born. I and my other sister were taken on by my mum’s cousin who lived in Malawi. From there we didn’t live a good life, I was promised to complete my education in Malawi but then that did not happen. My sister was married off. I was offered land so that I could marry and settle from there; in short the interest of people who looked after us was to see me start my own family as opposed to going back to school. To this end I became so determined that I really wanted to go back to school so I told myself not to succumb to what people were telling me regarding marriage.” he says.
He says to make ends meet he became a hustler in a country.
“I become a Hustler on the streets of Malawi, I sold all sort of goods just to fend for myself. In Zambia people would call me ‘Tamanga tamanga’. I really hustled at a tender age and this is one of the unforgettable moments in life.” he says.
Banda says before his mother died, she wanted him to pursue male nursing.
“My late Mum always wanted me to become a Male nurse. She always told me I had a heart for the people and that’s why she insisted that I purse male nursing but I pursued Video production because that’s what I am passionate for anyway.” he says.
He says upon completing his high school he took himself to a driving school in Lusaka.
“I did not get my driver’s license because my uncle Mr. Ngwira discouraged me to become a driver seeing that he was also a driver for Marcopolo big buses and said we could not all become drivers in the family. Instead he found me a job at Unilever. In 2008 I was employed by Unilever as a Merchandiser and after having worked from most of the Shoprites and Spurs outlets in Lusaka I was then transferred to Mazabuka.” he says.
Banda says he married in 2008.
“I decided to marry even though my salary was not all that good; it was on a commission basis so I could normally get paid between K1, 500 to K2, 200 per month. In June 2010 while in Mazabuka my contract with Unilever came to an end so I had to shift back to Lusaka in Mtendere Township.” he says.
He says he sold his car to better his future and for the family.
“In 2011 march I had no option but to get a driver’s license which I did. By the grace of God I had to work for a starlet car on Loan, pay slow basis. I finished paying for this car in 2013 though I ended up selling it at K17, 000. I used this money to take myself to school at ZAMCOM to study Video Production. Among other things I bought from this money were school materials including a laptop and cameras for my Media business.” he says.
Banda says he has taken advantage of his skills to grow his media business.
“My business name which I am yet to register with PACRA is called phenomenal Media. I enjoy taking nature photos and in future obviously I will specialize in Nature photos but for the meantime I do all sort of photo and video shooting.” he says.
He says his wife inspires him so much because she is a woman who doesn’t complain when things are not going their way.
“My wife is my inspiration because she is kind of a woman who has kept encouraging me to remain focused and determined. She is one kind of woman who has always been there for me and believes that I can always make it big in life.” he says.
Banda says Photography is a venture that he sees can see him through in life.
“Photography is something I have been so much passionate about and doing it at professional level makes me even different and a better photographer.” he says.
He urges some ordinary photographers to remain focused, determined and apply some creativity to their end photos.
“Young people must not take photography just as just a hobby; it’s a nice business venture. Let me also say that in today’s world, photography is a fulltime business that also brings bread and butter on the table.” he says.
Banda says he would want people to remember him as someone who stood for what is best for himself and his family.
Embrace pain and burn it as fuel for your journey. You can do it.
For comments:mwenyamuleba@gmail.com / 0966 461 943/0950 594 050
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