Anyone who’s listened to our Sunday night radio show knows it’s usually funky and last week’s episode was particularly so! Why? Well one of our two Guests (pictured above) was Doug Funk! In the photo with Doug is Gertrude Muma, part of Zambia’s Ministry of Education and Doug’s working colleague who came to the studio to see what we do. We were delighted to pursuade Doug to appear on the show – he’s been a regular visitor to Chanters Lodge for a number of years, and has recommended us far and wide, for which we are most grateful!
Our Sunday night radio show is called The Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient, featuring George da Soulchild Kaufela and is a great mix of Zambian and international pop music, as well as chat with our weekly guests. Milli Jam and George, both well known Livingstone radio presenters and local entertainers, host our show which airs from 20.30-21.30 live on Zambezi 107.7 fm, Livingstone’s leading local radio station.
Doug told listeners that his visit to Zambia was to promote the THRASS programme in Zambia’s primary schools, holding workshops for teachers. THRASS stands for teaching, handwriting, reading and spelling skills. The programme is aimed at giving youngsters a better grasp of English, which they would need in times to come for better education and their future prospects. Doug explained that he hailed from Vancouver Island, BC, Canada, was married with three sons and at one time had lived and worked in Zimbabwe as an expatriate for 5 years between 1987 and 1992. He loved Africa and had travelled very widely across the whole continent. On this most recent trip he’d arrived via Malawi and Lundazi in Zambia’s Eastern Province.
The music on the show was great. Opening as usual with Olly Murs’ ‘Dance With Me Tonight’ we moved on to ‘Scream’ by Usher and ‘Drinks On Me’ by LMFAO. George’s Zambian selection featured Runell’s ‘Amayendele’ – there was some debate on the meaning but Gertrude ventured ‘we can walk free’. The second local number was Shyman’s ‘Nikumona’. Milli Jam chose Yoav vs Pascal and Pearce with ‘Beautiful Lie’ and T Pain Featuring Ne-Yo with ‘Turn All The Lights On’. Oldie of the week was Rascal Flatts’ – ‘Bless The Broken Road’ – no-one knew who was singing it, so our weekly prize went unwon for once. “Ha ha!” (Said Richard). Pick of the Week was Ben Howard’s ‘Only Love’ and we closed with Skepta’s ‘Make Peace Not War’.
Doug said during his numerous visits to Livingstone he had. at various times, flown the ‘Flight Of Angels’ microlight over the Falls and swum in Devil’s Pool on Livingstone Island. He’d got very wet seeing the Falls from the ground. His favourite sport was ice hockey (about which the rest of us knew nothing!) He’d been raised by farmers and farming had been his first choice of career before he ventured into education. He told listeners he chose Chanters Lodge for his visits to Livingstone because it felt more homely than the other lodges in town he’d tried.
Asked where he’d like to be and what he’d like to be doing 10 years from now, Doug replied ‘exactly what I’m doing now, I love it!’ The first time I can remember anyone giving that reply. Thanks again Doug! And everyone else who makes our weekly show possible and successful!
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