By Joseph Chikalipo Lilongwe, November 24, Mana: Several activists have asked the government to setup a special division at the High Court to ensure there was swift and just handling of Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases. This was said ahead of the launch of Global mobilization of 16 Days of Activism Campaign to run from November 25 Until December 10 2020 under the localised theme: “Unite to End GBV: Prevent, Report, Respond, Fund!”. The proponent of the potential game changer is NGO Gender Co-ordination Network Chairperson; Barbara Banda who implored with the Ministry of Gender to ensure the idea has been realized. “GBV issues have been prevalent lately which calls for new, efficient ways of combating them. “I urge with the Ministry of Gender that it should spearhead setting up this special division for handling GBV cases in collaboration with the Justice department,” she said. Commenting on the topic was the UN Women Resident Representative, Clara Anyangwe who emphasized that if adopted, this could play a pivotal role in the fight against GBV. “Currently, it has been observed that there are delays in solving these issues as well as giving culprits less punitive punishments. “So, this special division would guarantee comprehensive analysis on issues in a new way that gives better results,” she said Minister of Gender, Patricia Kaliati gave a stern warning to Sangoma’s (Witchdoctors) who promise people riches and in return they sleep with minors as a condition for the fulfillment of the process. “It has come to the attention of the authorities and the public that witchdoctors are one of the underlying factors responsible for the rapid rise in rape and defilement cases. “I want to caution everyone who is involved in this that they should put an end to this immediately or else they will be arrested,” she lamented. 16 Days of Activism Campaign is internationally commemorated yearly with the aim of eliminating GBV and this year’s color is orange; a unifying colour and symbol of a brighter future that is free from GBV. This year’s theme calls for coordinated efforts among different stakeholders in addressing as well as emphasizing on the need for reporting of GBV incidences. This year’s launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence Activism Campaign will take place at Makawa Primary School Ground in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Mponda in Mangochi District on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. The launch event will be decorated with various interventions such as: performances by Lucius Banda and Lulu, Malawi Prison Brass Band, YONECO Children’s Band, testimonies, Solidarity march; speeches and dances among others.
Author: Leyman Publications
Malawi Govt Calls For Concerted Efforts To Reduce Road Accident
By Robert Nayeja & Haneeph Maulana Machinga, November 22, Mana: Government has emphasized on the need for concerted efforts from various stakeholders if the country is to make positive strides in reducing road accidents. Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works, Nancy Mdoko, made the remarks on Saturday at Liwonde Community Centre ground in Machinga during the commemoration of African Road Safety Day under the theme: ‘Stop roadside vending, save lives.’ Mdoko said road accidents in the country are alarming and worrisome as they rank ninth on the causes of death in the country. “In 2019, Malawi witnessed over 10, 000 accidents and in 2018 Malawi had registered 5, 821 road accidents. The statistics indicate that road accidents are rising in the country. “As such, there is need for all stakeholders and the general public to work together in order to reduce road accidents,” she said. Mdoko expressed sadness that most of the victims are the youth who are energetic and could have contributed positively to the development of the country. She said the practice of vending along the road is one of the major causes of road accidents as such pleaded with Malawians to stop the malpractice. Mdoko, therefore, gave an example of the accident which occurred at Kampepuza Trading Centre in Ntcheu District which claimed 17 lives, saying the accident could have been avoided if people were not selling their merchandise along the road. “Car owners are also contributing to the rise of road accidents because they park their cars along the road when they want to buy goods,” she said. She disclosed that her ministry in collaboration with Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development will relocate all markets that lie along main roads as one way of reducing road accidents. “We will work with the Ministry of Local Government to demolish all buildings that are built within road reserve as one way of reducing accidents,” she added. In her remarks, Deputy Director of Road Traffic, Annie Kandoje, concurred with Mdoko saying Malawi is registering high numbers of road accidents every year. Kandoje said from January to June 2019 about 528 accidents occurred which claimed 625 lives. “In 2020 within the same period of January to June about 570 road accidents have occurred which have claimed 616 lives,” she said. Machinga is one of the districts where roadside vending is rampant. Machinga District Council Chairperson, Simplex Diwa, bemoaned poor road conditions among other factors contributing to road accidents in the district. Duwa said the council will continue working hard to deal with street vending as one way of reducing road accidents. In 2019 Machinga registered 30 accidents which claimed 38 lives. Among other activities during the commemoration, Mdoko cheered accident survivors at Machinga District Hospital. In Malawi commemoration of the day started in 2013 following a meeting by African Union (AU) members.
Save The Children, UP Deliver Irrigation Scheme To Mikuyu Prison
By Solister Mogha Zomba, November 21, Mana: Save the Children Malawi and United Purpose has handed over a solar powered irrigation scheme to Mikuyu Reformatory Centre in Zomba valued at K40 million covering ten hectares. The scheme is expected to improve crop production and the nutrition status of inmates at the facility. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Director of Operations for Save the Children, Frank Mwafulirwa, said food security is one of the critical cross-cutting issues which have high chances of propelling malnutrition in children. Mwafulirwa also said food insecurity encourages children especially girls to be victims of sexual abuse and torture and increase criminal cases in society, noting that it also hinders educational progress of leaners. “Save the Children is a child centred organization and when we discovered that we have prisons that keep children we decided to establish a solar powered irrigation scheme so that we address the problem of food shortage in prisons,” he said. “Through the scheme, we are assured of plenty of food for the prison and that children behind bars will have a well-balanced diet since they will be able to cultivate vegetables, tomatoes and other crops,” Mwafulirwa added. Mwafulirwa said the scheme would also be used as a training base for prisoners on irrigation farming so that when they get back to society, they can make use of the skills and knowledge gained while in prison. Programmes Manager for United Purpose , Esther Mweso, appealed to prison management to take proper care of the scheme, saying it has the capacity to feed all prisons in the southern region if put to maximum use. “It is sad sometimes to see a very good project becoming a white elephant soon after it has been delivered. I am sure this will not be the case with this scheme which we hope would greatly improve on food security in prison which is one of the major challenges,” Mweso said. Commissioner of Prisons responsible for Farms and Industry, Clement Kainja, described the irrigation scheme as one of the major projects ever implemented in the country’s prisons, noting that it would go a long way in addressing the perennial challenges of food shortage. Kainja said the problem arises due to economic hardships facing the institution coupled with the ever increasing number of prisoners. He said the irrigation scheme provides a solution to food shortages and will improve the nutritional status of inmates. “We are happy to have an irrigation scheme that will allow us grow crops more than twice a year. This will greatly improve food production and also boost our income since we will be able to sale the surplus,” he said. Kainja said the skills that the inmates would gain by participating in farming would empower them to be self-reliant once they complete serving their terms. He assured the two development partners that management would take care of the donation to live its 20-year life span. Funded by European Union, the scheme was implemented by a consortium of United Nations agencies with the Malawi Government contributing 50 percent of the budget.
Culture Of Silence Worry Youth Network
By Tione Andsen, MANA Chairperson for Nkukula Youth Network in Dowa, Sydonia Muyande the culture of silence was fueling cases of rape and defilement in the district. She said this Friday at Mtunthama School in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Nkukula in Dowa during community engagement through Theatre for Development (TFD) through Her Future Her Choice a Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Project being implemented by Network for Youth Development (NfYD) together with Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) and Oxfam with support from Global Affairs Canada. Muyande said almost every day there are cases of rape and defilement but they are not being reported to authorities. “It is very sad to note that most cases are being done by people that have authority and responsibilities. Fathers are defiling their biological daughters but they are not being reported so that they should be brought to book,” the chair explained. She urged communities to join hands to report any case of sexual harassment within their areas as one way of ending the vice. Muyande said Youth Networks within Nkukula are working tireless to sensitize the communities on how they should react when they are faced with such cases within their localities. She appealed to traditional leaders to stop shielding their relatives once they are involved in such acts saying by doing so cases of rape and defilement would continue in their areas. Senior Village Group Headman (SVGH) Mkhota said girl child need to be protected from sexual exploitation saying communities should be proactive in guard against the malpractice. He urged communities should be reporting such cases to Police so that the perpetrators should face the law. Network for Youth Development (NfYD) Project Officer, Sekanawo Mwatibu said they have been working in the area from 2015 to 2017 on the Her Future Her Choice project by empowering Youth Networks. She said the Networks were formed and trained to disseminate very messages to the communities regarding sexual reproductive rights, child marriages and drop outs. Mwatibu said the Youth Networks were providing necessary information to communities as to where they could access sexual reproductive health services within their areas. “We are very thanked with the District Youth Office for being instrumental in the implementation of our project which mainly involved the participation of the youth,” she added. District Youth Officer (DYO) for Lilongwe, Dalitso Manthalu pointed out that youth need to be proactive to know their rights. He said once they noticed that they rights have been infringed they need to report to authorities for redress. Chimutu and Malili Youth Networks showed three plays during the event.
Chakwera Installed As LUANAR Chancellor
By Mphatso Nkuonera Lilongwe, November 20, Mana: President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera was on Thursday inaugurated Chancellor of the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) at a colourful event held at BICC in Lilongwe. The installation, which was done during the 4th Congregation sessions 3 and 4 of the graduation ceremony of LUANAR saw over 1000 students being awarded with certificates with 917 Diplomas, 216 Bachelors’ Degrees, 26 Masters Degrees while five were awarded with Doctorate of Philosophy Degrees (PhDs). Speaking after assuming the Chancellorship, President Chakwera said his acceptance to the chancellorship should not be regarded as a contradiction of his earlier statements on not to make Heads of State as chancellor. “I am only complying with the laws currently in force, but I am sure through the Minister of Education that you are coming up with a harmonised law to repeal this anomaly that has made me accept this role today,” Chakwera emphasized. The president has since challenged the graduating students to look into today’s problems and be able to create solutions for future generations using the skills and innovations imparted on them. This, he said, would help fulfill the vision of creating one million jobs. “I am excited with all the initiatives and innovations taking place at LUANAR to contribute towards the development of the country. “Use your skills acquired to serve the nation, because it is no value to earn a distinction or doctorate in food production if it does not result in food production,” he urged. LUANAR’s Vice Chancellor, Professor George Kanyama Phiri said the college has achieved a lot since LUANAR was inaugurated. “We have increased enrollment from 1, 800 in 2012 to 13,850 in 2020, through establishment of ODel and City Campus, this is in keeping with the government aspiration of widening access to higher education in Malawi. “The university has also intensified on research, consultancies and outreach to make LUANAR a world class university and has been recognised internationally as the Aqua fish Centre of excellence with funding from World Bank,” he said. Chairman of the Council for LUANAR, Prof Zachary Kasomekera said the council will embrace the spirit of academic freedom as one of those pillars to make LUANAR a world class university. “We will try to ensure that we produce world class knowledgeable students with desired skills for the betterment of our nation and beyond. “In the success of this university is the cordial relationship that exists in all the leadership structures and organs that has propelled the effective delivery of services based on the strategic plan that was agreed,” Kasomekera explained. He, however, said that the COVID-19 pandemic and the dwindling of funding from government are among the many challenges that have hit the university and appealed for support. One of the graduating students in Bachelor of Science in Food Technology, Jacqueline Chaima said she was excited that she has been conferred with the degree which she would use to change other lives. “I will make sure my knowledge which I have acquired at the college is put to proper use. “I am going to establish a company to process tomatoes and other fruits that decompose for not being used in our societies. That will help others get a job. Time for losing fruits during their season of plenty is over,” she said. LUANAR was born in 2011 which saw the University of Malawi Bunda-College Campus being amalgamated with Natural Resources College (NRC) which got established in 1969. Section 13 Act 9 of 2011 of the University states that, ‘there shall be a chancellor who shall be the State President.’
Malawi Construct Mausoleum For Multi-Party Democracy Founder Chakufwa Chihana
By Salome Gangire Mzuzu, November 18, Mana: Government has disclosed plans to construct a mausoleum for late Chakufwa Chihana as a way of honouring him for his contribution towards bringing democracy in the country. Minister of Civic Education and National Unity, Timothy Mtambo, disclosed this Wednesday in Mzuzu when he paid homage to late Chihana at his cemetery behind Reserve Bank of Malawi in Mzuzu. He said: “The Tonse Administration under the leadership of Lazarus Chakwera would like to respect our heroes. “This is a lesson to young people and the nation that if we respect our heroes, we encourage the living to work hard so that they can be recognised in future,” Mtambo said late Chakufwa Chihana remains the father and founder of democracy who was selfless, fearless and patriotic son and that he deserves honour. “We need this place to be worked on and give him a befitting burial. This government will make sure that we set a heroes acre where all our heroes can be put so that they are all honoured in this country,” he said. Church and Society representative, Paul Mvula, asked government to come up with a Heroes Act to ensure all heroes in the country are honoured. “We have a number of heroes in Malawi and we need to have a proper law that governs on how to deal with them for posterity,” said Mvula. He said other countries have a proper system that recognises their heroes which he described as critical for the nation’s history. He said it also inspires more freedom fighters. Mvula said it is their wish that a proper mausoleum should be constructed for Late Chihana but also all the heroes including Rose Chibambo. Chihana’s family representative, Gerald Banda asked government to consider deploying security personnel at Chihana’s resting place. “This place faces a number of challenges as it has got no electricity and security personnel. This makes the place to look desolate,” Banda said. In his remarks, Mzuzu City Council Mayor, Kondwani Nyasulu said the council is ready to provide land if government want to establish a heroes acre in the city. He said it was high time Malawi identified a site where all the heroes need to rest. Chihana once served as State Second Vice-President of the country under Bakili Muluzi’s administration and was President for Alliance for Democracy (AFORD). He died on June 12, 2006.
Focus 265 Management To Empower Women Musicians
By Moses Nyirenda Lilongwe, November 18, Mana: A Lilongwe-based events management firm, Focus 265 Management is on a mission to financially empower women musicians in the country to help them realise their goals. This follows the support given to a Blantyre-based dancehall reggae musician, Cookie Kay who has been financially assisted to be organising events such as shows on her own in order to generate income. For the first time, Cookie Kay has organised a show titled ‘Go Konko Music Party’ which will take place at Nachipere Gardens in Thyolo District on November 21, 2020 in which various artists including Jay Jay Cee, Struggle B, Wanga GTS will perform. In an interview, one of the Focus 265 Management Managers, DJ Tawa said his company decided to start empowering female artists in other aspects apart from music as one way of broadening their talents. “The idea is basically looking at what female musicians can do apart from being musicians in order to enhance their talents. “For Cookie Kay, the idea of organising events is something which she believes is in her, that is why we are supporting her,” DJ Tawa said. DJ Tawa added that as a company, they would support female artists in fields such as tailoring and business based on their area of interest. “We are not restricting the artists, hence we are giving them an opportunity to choose any field of business which they can manage to pursue,” he said. Commenting on the same, another Focus 265 Management Manager, Khumbo Maononga said they were eyeing to empower female artists to enable them have other means of generating income apart from depending on music only. “Our main focus is to support women musicians with other skills that would enable them to generate income instead of relying on music alone,” Maononga said. In her remarks, Cookie Kay commended Focus 265 Management for putting more attention to female artists, saying it would assist them to achieve their dreams. “I really appreciate the good work which Focus 265 Management is doing. This will assist us as female artists to develop ways of helping ourselves financially in order to achieve our goals,” Cookie Kay said. Focus 265 Management is currently working with four female artists namely Cookie Kay, Grewiz, Finah and Fresh Diva.
Is Malawi Lenient On Defilement Perpetrators?
By Joseph Chikalipo Lilongwe, November 17, Mana: Countless awareness campaigns have been carried across the nation, the media has brought to light numerous cases, punitive sentences have been delivered; nevertheless, rape and defilement cases are rapidly on the rise. Much as any citizen is capable of breaking the law, it is astounding to learn that well educated people are the major culprits behind these cases. Recently, a senior administrator of Medical Aid Society of Malawi, made headlines for wrong reasons when he was arrested for defiling and infecting his 16-year-old niece with HIV. It is more appalling to note that some of our men in uniform, who are entrusted to enforce the law, are spearheading this shameful act of rape and defilement. In 2019, shocking revelations indicated that, a lot of women in Msundwe, Mpingu and M’bwatalika, were sexually harassed by the police during the post-election demonstrations. Hitherto, the offenders are yet to be brought to book despite numerous interventions by some sectors including the Office of the Ombudsman and Malawi Women Lawyers Association. Regardless of circumstances which might lead one to commit rape, there will never be a justification for this atrocity. So, where is the flaw in as far as curbing this challenge is concerned? Arguably, it isnot a simple task to pinpoint the causal factor.Perhaps, we can presumably look into the chief solution; our justice system. There have been propositions that maybe some of the punishments are not enough; therefore, more has to be done. For instance, in early November this year, the Association of Women in Media (AWOME) demonstrated in various cities of Malawi calling for stringent measures against sexual offenders. Shortly before delivering the petition, AWOME-Lilongwe Chapter Chairperson, Josephine Phumisa highlighted to the gathering some alternative plans which would be undertaken if their demands are not met. “We have noticed that some of these rapists are getting lenient sentences. Owing to this, we will push for the revision of some laws so that these perpetratorsshould be punished severely” She said. One of the notable participants at the demonstration was the Speaker of the National Assembly, Catherine Gotani Hara, who said that the issue was getting out of hand and it has to be handled constitutionally as a last resort. “The laws and punishments are there but we need harmonisation of Child Justice Act and Penal because in some cases we are confined to punishing child defilers yet someone who raped a woman goes unpunished.” “This will include punishing those that try to hide these unpleasant practices,” she said Interestingly, during the demonstration, a number of women were sighted carrying controversial placards with radical calls for castration and life imprisonment sentences. Some quarters might argue that these two suggested solutions are so extreme. Instead, the offenders should be slapped with a great deal of years in prison. In September,2020, a 42- year-old man was sentenced to 15 years in jail with hard labour for defiling his 12-year-old daughter. For instance, 15 years might seem like a long time but in the face of the victim, it is far from enough. To put things into perspective, think about the previously mentioned 16-year-old girl defiled by her uncle consequently infecting her with HIV. The physiological scarof HIV will always be a constant reminder of traumatic her childhood was. As the great philosopher Hippocrates believed, “desperate times call for desperate measures”. This famous quote translates that in adverse circumstances, actions that might have been rejected under other circumstances may become the best choice to be undertaken. That being the case, castration and life imprisonment would be ideal. They are two different solutions but they both present a chance to find a long lasting solution to this problem. The first recommendation, castration: there are several forms such as physical, chemical or hormonal castration. For reference, let’s comprehensively look at chemical castration. Simply put,chemical castration involves administering drugs such as Diethylstilbestrolto reduce libido and sexual activity. In 1981, in an experiment by P. Gagne, 48 males with long-standing histories of sexually deviant behavior were given Medroxyprogesterone acetate and 40 of those were recorded as to have diminished desires for deviant sexual behavior, less frequent sexual fantasies and greater control over sexual urges. According to the experiment, the method seems to work so why should we stick to approachesthat have been implemented yet the problem still grows like a cancer? A number of countries such as Argentina, Australia and the UK have adopted this and some like India are in the drafting stage of the law and Malawi can do that too. The second recommendation, life imprisonment, is the concise punishment for keeping one in prison until the last breath. The two recommendations would curb this problem in two vital ways if implemented. Firstly, it will directly minimize chances of perpetrators repeating the offence because their sexual feelings are suppressed or locked away for the rest of their life. Secondly, this would deter potential offenders once the new legislations have been imposed on rapists and defilers. Before ones become critical of these measures, they should keep in mind that rape or defilementcan happen to anyone. A question might be; if it happened to their daughters or wives even their mothers, would they still hold their ground that these measures are extreme? That is very unlikely! We should keep in mind that the adoption of these measures is not necessarily to punish but rather maintain law and order. All factors considered, the suggested solutions are not as extreme as they seem if they are for the the greater good. Summarily, choices have consequences and if you commit a sex offence you need to own it and take responsibility for it. Just a friendly reminder, “you reap what you sow.”
Malawi Vice President Chilima For Homegrown Innovations
By Kondwani Magombo Mangochi, November 18, Mana: Malawi’s Vice-President, Dr. Saulos Chilima, has challenged researchers in the country to develop homegrown innovations and technologies to achieve the new vision of inclusive wealth creation and self-reliance. Chilima, who is also Minister of Economic Planning & Development, and Public Sector Reforms, made the call on Wednesday when he officially opened the 3rd National Innovations and Research Dissemination Conference in Mangochi. The Vice-President said the vision’s three pillars of agriculture productivity and commercialization, industrialization and urbanization will revolve around homegrown innovations and technologies. “I would like to challenge all researchers in this country to think big and think local. Government, on its part, stands ready to support their efforts. “We need to harness our home-grown solutions for the advancement of our economy and promote a good quality of life for all,” said Chilima. He noted that the existing socio-economic development gap between countries of the global north and south is partly a reflection of the gap in research, science, technology and innovation. The Vice-President therefore, said as a country, there is need to collectively challenge the divide and actively seek new and innovative sources of socio-economic growth and development by looking within. “Time has now come that our research institutions must not just be on the receiving end of foreign-driven research agendas,” said Chilima, adding: “Malawi is not an experimenting lab. We must develop our own national research agenda based on our challenges.” The Vice-President also urged the researchers to take time to review the research results and how they can be utilized in the country’s development agenda rather than just being obsessed with researching and publishing. He further said President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, remains committed to supporting research, science, technology and innovation and that government will ensure that resources allocated towards research and development are increased. National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) Board Chairperson, Professor Emmanuel Kaunda, concurred with the Vice-President. However, he called for support, saying “effective research requires significant investment by government and private sector”. Kaunda also stressed on the need for researchers to share their findings for implementation of the recommendations made. On the other hand, National Planning Commission Director General, Dr. Thomas Munthali, called upon researchers to “move fast and invest in innovation and technology” to catch up with the changing world. Prior to the main opening event, Chilima toured some innovations in the areas of mining, health, clean and renewable energy and other technologies, which were displayed outside the conference room. This year’s conference is held under the theme: Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship towards Productive and Resilient Nation.
DJ Muller Making Odds In South Africa Through Disk Jockeying
By Moses Nyirenda Lilongwe, November 17, Mana: South African based Malawian female Disk Jockey (DJ), DJ Muller is making tremendous strides with her passion in disk jockeying in South Africa (SA) which among other things she produces mix tapes, mixing music on weddings, parties and shows. In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday in Lilongwe, DJ Muller whose real name is Elsie Muluti Mwase said that she ventured into disk jockeying business after being motivated by her friend in 2015. “When I moved to Cape town in 2015, my other friend saw me playing some music on my laptop and then she asked me to mix on her birthday party, she said she had no enough money to afford a DJ and after she saw me how I was playing with a virtual she thought I could help. “I accepted the offer, though by that time I had no equipment instead the friend hired the sound system from someone else and I mixed the music and the party went on well, I was so excited and after that I started buying my own speakers and other stuff,” DJ Muller said. She added that, with her career as a DJ she has been empowered to remain financially independent and on top of that she has made connections with other DJs who she shares skills with. “I have benefited a lot from being a DJ, I have known other DJs including: DJ Blebo K from Malawi who is based in South Africa , DJ Magic Touch from Zimbabwe and DJ Jahpha from Congo who I have learnt a lot of skills from them. “In addition to that, I have beenalso empowered to be raising funds which I use to support myself and the needy,” DJ Muller said. Asked on how does she feels like to be a female DJ, the DJ said that she feels blessed bearing in mind that disk jockeying industry is highly dominated by men. “I feel blessed by being a female DJ because disk jockeying industry is mostly dominated by men, so it is a huge blessing to me because I never had a dream of becoming a DJ it just happened and I believe it is God’s given talent,” she explained. Muller said that it was challenging to be a female DJ saying that being woman sometimes they areunderrated and also abused by some men. “Some people think female DJs are not straight and sometimes men take advantage of us especially when we are mixing in clubs and shows, second challenge is that being female, people always look down on us they think we cannot do better as a result we miss some opportunities,” she pointed out. DJ Muller advised fellow women who are pursuing careers that are dominated by men to remain focused in order for them to achieve their goals. “To be a woman is not a limitation, hence I am encouraging ladies who are doing careers which are dominated by men to accept the challenge and remain focused, God will do the rest,” she advised. According to her, she envisions to remain an outstanding DJ and get an opportunity to empower and motivate young girls and women to become female DJs in order for them to be financially independent.