Yesterday was Women’s Day. To celebrate this day, like we do all important days, there was marching and much speech giving by our all knowledgeable leaders.
The same marches and speeches were given across the country and I really do not know how hearing the same speeches empowers our women. Women who still at risk from being stripped if some man or men deem what they wear to be immoral, unAfrican, unChristian, or revealing; women at risk of rape from a random man, or even some man they know for whatever reason or excuse he may give; girls being married off at some tender young age for whatever reason her parents or guardians may give – even though it’s the lobola they are after.
Anyways, I’m not here to talk about the monotony of our marches and speeches. I’m here wondering where are all the open spaces that used to be?
It’s damn near impossible for a person of limited economic means to go out on a public holiday, weekend, or any day for that matter to sit in a park under a tree, or just chill in the open.
All the green spaces have been taken up my malls, shopping complexes, or monstrous “developments”.
No idea what our newfound obsession with malls is.
Malls are great, but malls are not places one can go play chess with a buddy, have a picnic, do some exercises, or kill time without spending.
A lot of malls have a no loitering sign, and many don’t allow pets. Kids can’t play pomo or bola at any of the malls.
Malls are for people who spend, not or those who want to get back in touch with nature.
Malls are also monotonous, with basically the same shops or franchises found in them. Practically zero variety.
Some may say we have the OYDC. But, in a city of over two million people, how practical is the OYDC?
And the truth of the matter is the OYDC is not centrally located, majority of people using public transport means it’s just too off-grid.
I personally think we need adult free-ish zones for kids and teens to play safely. Far too many paedophiles walk among us. Having far too few places for the young to do sports away from the lustful gaze of “bad men” is not good at all.
A dragonfly in flight is one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen. But nowadays, I rarely see any dragonflies until I’m at the farms.
I worry about the future, as I see my former green jungle turn into a concrete jungle.
Our concrete jungles are so devoid of life, rich in litter and any tree is turned into a piss smelling toilet.
In all the talk of Zambia’s poor reading culture among our “enlightened” leaders, I never see or hear of them building libraries.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Lack of open spaces for the next generation to play in will mean a hobbyless generation.
Mulos Blog 
I just complained of the same thing yesterday. I wanted to take a walk with my son but kept thinking of the many vehicles in these roads of Kaunda Square. I stayed home.
Thanks for writing about this important thing that has been “sold off” to the highest bidder.
It’s scary. It’s like we are at war with nature, pedestrians and children.