The Falls Park Experience!

Meet Michelo Mweene (above), a man with perhaps one of the most difficult jobs in Livingstone. Mich, as he is known to friends, manages the Falls Park Shopping Mall in Livingstone, next to Protea Hotel. This was Livingstone’s first shopping mall, and at the time it opened, with Spar as its’ anchor tenant, was a thriving shopping centre with all the shops and restaurants occupied. Following the opening of the ‘new’ Shoprite closer to the city centre, Falls Park has fallen on hard times. Mich, an accountant by profession, works for African Life Insurance who manage the property. He advised us that negotiations were ongoing with a large company for them to become new anchor tenants in the complex, with the hope of restoring its’ fortunes.

Mich was our Guest on the most recent edition of the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring Jay Hillz, our weekly radio show airing from 20.30-21.30 hrs on Zambezi 107.7 fm every Sunday night. The show is a nice mixture of latest international and Zambian music interspersed by chat with our guest. Mich told listeners that he had been in Livingstone for about a year and a half but had been employed by African Life for three years, initially in the finance department. He also has a business interest in a small roadside bar in Livingstone. Still single and not yet a father, Mich told us that he intends to marry soon – the lucky lady is in Kabwe at the moment, but beyond that we were not given details!

The music on the show featured tracks from Envy, One Republic and Jessie Ware, as well as Zambian acts Afunika, Macky 2 and Kay Figo. Other songs were by Sigma ft Paloma Faith and Jason Derulo. The prize we give each week to the first person to text us the name of the artist on our oldie of the week was quickly snapped up!

Mich, a Manchester United supporter, told listeners that he was convinced his team would put their troubles behind them and scoop the EPL again this coming season, others of us were not so sure! His all time favourite player – David Beckham. Current star? Wayne Rooney. We tried to wish him the best of luck in the league this year but failed, and talked instead of Arsenal winning the Community Shield that very afternoon 3-0 v Manchester City!

Mich said that he is at level two in the accountants’ ACCA exams and that it was quite stressful. We sympathised. He also told us that he enjoys a good night out and that his favourite Livingstone club is at the Fairmount Hotel. (Many of our show guests say the same). He likes slow tracks as well as hip hop and his favourite Zambian act is Afunika. Internationally he favours Kendrik Lamar. He plays social football and Falls Park have a local team for which he stars!

Asked where he would like to be and what he would like to be doing ten years’ from now, Mich said he would like to have his own business be providing employment for other Zambians, and to be married with children.

We wished him the best of luck.

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